French leather goods brand Polène continues its international expansion with the opening of its first physical store in Italy. The new location in Milan’s Quadrilatero della Moda, just a few steps from the Armani Hotel, underlines the brand’s desire to strengthen its presence in strategic European markets.
An architectural concept inspired by local identity
For the Milan project, Polène worked with the architectural firm Norm Architects, which has already designed the Kinfolk Gallery in Copenhagen and a boutique for the Danish shoe brand Notabene. The boutique was designed around a typically Milanese duality: a simple façade that recedes behind a richly designed interior. The customer’s path is structured as a spatial escape and offers sensual development through different materials.
The interior design highlights a gradation of textures and colors ranging from stone to wood to ceramic. The choice of materials is intended to reflect the evolution from raw material to finished product, which is a central aspect of Polène’s identity.
The showroom also incorporates elements that pay homage to Ubrique’s craftsmanship in Spain, where the brand’s items are made. An area called “Leather Orchestra” highlights the brand’s artisanal identity through an interactive performance that combines sound and material. Like many recently opened flagship stores, Polène’s boutique has incorporated an artistic element into its design: a ceramic artwork by Italian artist Clara Graziolino.
Strategic development
Polène was founded in 2016 by Mathieu, Elsa and Antoine Mothay, the great-grandchildren of the founder of the Saint James brand. The brand experienced rapid growth, relying on a Parisian design studio and a network of over 2,200 artisans to solidify its positioning as an affordable, high-end luxury brand. Their bestseller is the “Cyme” model, a leather shopper that is reminiscent of the shape of a basket and costs between 350 and 590 euros, depending on the version.
The brand’s model is now based on ten of its own boutiques, including a corner at Le Bon Marché. After locations in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Hamburg and now Milan, the brand is also considering a possible opening in Amsterdam.
In 2023, the company recorded sales of 142.7 million euros, as the newspaper Le Monde reported. A year later, in 2024, L Catterton, LVMH’s investment fund, acquired a minority stake in Polène.
In addition to leather goods, Polène has also expanded its activities to include jewelry and sustainable projects. In 2023, the brand introduced jewelry lines made in Italy and plated with 24-karat gold. Polène also launched the “Plèi” collection, which uses leftover leather to create handicrafts and decorative objects, integrating a circular principle into production.
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