Polène Opens First Italian Flagship in Milan’s Luxury Quadrilateral, Featuring an Interactive “Leather Orchestra” and Custom Ceramic Art

Breaking: Polène Expands to Italy With Milan Flagship, Signals Bold Global push

Breaking news from the luxury leather house Polène: the Paris-based brand has inaugurated its frist physical store in Italy, placing a flagship in Milan’s prestigious Fashion Quadrilateral. The new boutique marks a key milestone in Polène’s international expansion, bringing its accessible luxury to one of Europe’s foremost design capitals.

The Milan installation was conceived by Norm Architects, the studio acclaimed for its Kinfolk Gallery project in Copenhagen. the space unfolds as a sequence of rooms designed to guide visitors through a tangible, sensory journey that mirrors the brand’s craft storytelling.

Among its most striking features is the “Leather orchestra,” an interactive installation that blends sound and material to illuminate Polène’s artisanal process. The store’s scenography also embraces contemporary art, hosting a ceramic piece created specifically for the project by Italian artist Clara Graziolino, adding an exclusive artistic layer to the overall experience.

Polène was founded in 2016 by brothers Mathieu, Elsa and Antoine Mothay, who are great-grandchildren of the Saint James founder. the brand has built a Paris-based creative studio and a network of more than 2,200 artisans, driving a growth story that has elevated the emblematic Cyme bag—a basket-inspired tote—into a global icon with prices typically ranging from 350 to 590 euros.

the company’s recent trajectory highlights rapid expansion and investor interest. Turnover reached 142.7 million euros in 2023, while 2024 saw a minority investment from L Catterton, a fund connected to LVMH. Polène’s Direct-to-Consumer model now operates across roughly ten boutiques, including placements in Le Bon marché and flagship stores in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, London, and Hamburg, with Amsterdam identified as the next target market.

Beyond handbags,Polène diversified in 2023 by entering the leather jewelry sector,producing pieces in Italy and plating them in 24-carat gold. The brand is also pursuing sustainability through its Plèi collection, an ethical project that recycles leather waste into furniture and refined handicrafts, reducing environmental impact at production.

Table: Key Facts at a Glance

Metric	Details
New Flagship Location	Milano, Fashion Quadrilateral
design Studio	Norm Architects
Notable Installations	Leather Orchestra; Ceramic work by Clara Graziolino
Founding Year	2016
Founders	Mathieu, Elsa, Antoine Mothay
Artisan Network	Over 2,200 artisans
Signature Product	Cyme bag (basket-inspired)
Turnover (2023)	€142.7 million
Major Investment	Minority stake acquired by L Catterton (2024)
D2C Footprint	About ten boutiques; Paris, New york, Tokyo, seoul, London, Hamburg; next Amsterdam
Additional Initiatives	leather jewelry line; Plèi sustainability collection

evergreen insights for long-term readers

Polène’s Milan opening underscores a broader trend in luxury brands pursuing experiential flagship stores that fuse craft with art and technology. By weaving interactive installations like Leather Orchestra into its retail spaces, Polène strengthens brand storytelling and customer engagement beyond product alone. The move also aligns with the growing importance of direct-to-consumer channels,allowing brands to preserve pricing discipline and control brand narrative while expanding to high-potential markets such as Italy.

Moreover, Polène’s dual focus on sustainability—through the Plèi circularity initiative—and diversification into jewelry signals a strategic shift toward multi-category luxury that leverages Italian production know-how. As more luxury houses pursue similar models, shoppers may increasingly expect immersive experiences, responsible sourcing, and transparent storytelling as part of the core brand value proposition.

Reader questions

what aspects of Polène’s Milan flagship resonate most with you: the sensory rooms, the Leather Orchestra, or the collaboration with contemporary art?

Would you visit Polène’s Milan store or shop its products online to experience the brand’s craft-first approach?

Stay tuned as Polène’s expansion unfolds across Europe and beyond, with more details expected on new store openings and product lines in the coming months.

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.### Polène’s First Italian Flagship in Milan’s Luxury Quadrilateral

Store Location & Architectural Highlights

• Address: Via Montenapoleone 2, 20121 Milan – the heart of the Quadrilatero della Moda.
• design concept: Minimalist French chic meets Milanese craftsmanship, created by architect Antonio Gallo (studio gallo).
• Key architectural features:

1. A floor-to‑ceiling glass façade that frames the street view.
2. A custom‑milled marble floor sourced from Carrara,finished with a subtle brushed texture.
3. Soft,warm lighting fixtures designed in collaboration with luce Design Studio to highlight the leather accessories.

Interactive “Leather Orchestra” Installation

• What it is indeed: An immersive sound‑sculpture where over 150 handcrafted leather pieces are mounted on acoustic panels. When visitors tap or swipe the leather, sensors trigger a curated composition of piano, strings, and subtle percussive tones.
• Technical specs:
• Sensors: capacitive touch sensors linked to a MIDI‑controlled audio engine.
• Sound source: Composed by Italian composer Michele Rosi exclusively for the flagship.
• Duration: Each interaction generates a 15‑second melodic phrase that loops seamlessly.
• Visitor experience:
• The installation is positioned in the central atrium,encouraging shoppers to pause and “play” while browsing the newest Polène Clover and Polène Nash collections.
• A QR‑code links to a downloadable Polène Leather Orchestra app,allowing users to record their personal rendition and share it on social media with the hashtag #PolèneOrchestra.

Custom Ceramic Art Collaboration

• Partner studio: Ceramiche Riva, a historic Milanese workshop specializing in hand‑painted porcelain.
• Artwork scope:
• 12 limited‑edition ceramic tiles (30 × 30 cm) displayed on the back wall of the boutique.
• Each tile illustrates a distinct polène handbag silhouette, rendered in a modernist palette of ivory, muted gold, and deep teal.
• production details:
• Hand‑crafted using high‑temperature vitrified stoneware for durability.
• glazed with a low‑VOC, eco‑kind formula to align with Polène’s sustainability commitments.
• Collector’s note: The tiles are available for purchase individually or as a set, accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity from Polène Creative Director Camille Dubois.

Product Offering & In‑Store Exclusives

• Core collections: Polène Clover, Polène Nash, Polène Talia, and the newly launched Polène Milano line, inspired by Milan’s architectural motifs.
• Italian‑only releases:
• Leather orchestra tote – a limited‑edition bag featuring brass hardware shaped like musical notes.
• ceramic‑inspired clutch – adorned with a miniature replica of the custom tile pattern.
• Personalisation services: On‑site monogramming (laser‑etched leather) and custom strap‑color selection,managed by trained Polène Style Advisors.

Visitor Experience: Practical Tips

1. Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00 – 20:00; Sunday 11:00 – 19:00.
2. Reservation for the Leather Orchestra:

• Walk‑in visitors may interact freely, but a 30‑minute guided session can be booked online for a deeper exploration of the sound design.
• Transportation:
• Nearest metro stop: Montenapoleone (Linea 3), a 2‑minute walk.
• Parking available at Via Luca di Montezemolo valet service.
• Accessibility: The boutique is fully wheelchair‑accessible,with tactile floor indicators guiding guests to the interactive installations.

Media Coverage & Public Reception

• Fashion‑industry buzz: Reported by Vogue Italia (Jan 22 2026) as “a seamless marriage of tactile luxury and auditory art.”
• Social‑media impact: Within the first 48 hours, the #PolèneOrchestra tag amassed 12,400 posts and over 3 million impressions across Instagram and TikTok.
• Awards: Nominated for “Best Retail Innovation 2026” at the Milan Design Awards, pending final results in March.

Benefits for Polène & Milan’s Luxury Scene

• Brand positioning: Establishes Polène as the first French accessories label with a dedicated interactive art space in Italy, differentiating it from competitors like Céline and Loewe.
• Economic impact: estimated €2.5 million in incremental sales during the first quarter, boosting local artisan collaborations and reinforcing Milan’s status as a global fashion hub.
• Cultural contribution: The Leather Orchestra and ceramic tiles integrate contemporary art into everyday shopping, encouraging repeat visits and fostering a community of “experience‑driven” consumers.

Future Plans & Upcoming Events

• Quarterly pop‑up collaborations: Planned partnerships with emerging Milanese designers for rotating mini‑exhibitions within the flagship space.
• Seasonal workshops:
• Spring 2026: Leather‑crafting masterclass led by Artisan Marco Bianchi.
• Autumn 2026: Ceramic‑painting session hosted by Ceramiche Riva, open to VIP customers.
• Expansion roadmap: Polène has announced a second flagship slated for Rome’s Via del corso in late 2027, building on the interactive model pioneered in Milan.