Polène is expanding its U.S. retail presence with a new boutique at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif., marking the French accessories brand’s latest step in its international growth.
The 1,300-square-foot location follows the opening of Polène’s first U.S. store in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. Strong consumer interest reinforced the brand’s investment in brick-and-mortar retail, said Antoine Mothay, cofounder of Polène.
“The opening of our South Coast Plaza boutique marks an important step in Polène’s continued growth in the United States,” said Mothay in a statement to WWD. “California has become an increasingly meaningful market for the maison, and we are excited to establish a permanent presence in Orange County.”
The company selected South Coast Plaza for its established reputation as a luxury shopping destination and its curated mix of retailers, according to the brand. The opening brings Polène closer to its West Coast customer base as the company continues to expand internationally, following recent openings across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.
In design, the boutique features a light-filled interior with glass elements throughout. Frosted glass walls reveal a garden of oversize, colorful leather flowers, while wood and leather, recurring materials in Polène’s stores, appear in the furnishings.
The floor is made from compressed leather scraps produced during the brand’s manufacturing process. Designed in Polène’s workshops in Ubrique, Spain, the material forms an irregular stone-inspired pattern that references the architecture of South Coast Plaza.
A central feature is a custom stained-glass installation created in collaboration with Los Angeles-based Judson Studios, a family-owned workshop founded in 1897.
The boutique also features a “Craft at Work” space, where customers purchasing a bag can create a complimentary leather flower charm using leftover leather from Polène’s workshops in Ubrique. Visitors select individual petals, shape them using a thermoforming machine and assemble their own accessory.
“With this new boutique, we look forward to welcoming both our existing community and new clients into the Polène universe, offering them the opportunity to experience our collections, craftsmanship and creative vision in a more personal way,” added Mothay.
