French Connection
Baliston, a French athletic and sportswear company, opened its first American flagship store last month at the Irvine Spectrum, in Irvine, Calif. Store manager Luc Leconte (pictured) said the 10-year-old company sold 1 million pairs of shoes in Europe in 2003 because the company injects a unique fashion sensibility into its product and only manufactures limited runs of 500 to 1,000 pieces. The sneakers are designed for fashion and various sports, from soccer to tae kwon do to field hockey. Price points for the shoes range from $90 to $150. Price points for apparel, T-shirts, skirts and track suits range from $50 to $170. The company also makes women’s pieces unaffiliated with sports, such as tube dresses ($94.58) and tank tops ($60). Rick Conner, president of Baliston USA, said if plans go smoothly, the company will open stores in Los Angeles and New York in 2005. —A.A.
