Polène opens first German store in Hamburg

Polène has just opened its first store in Germany, at 71 Neuer Wall in Hamburg’s Neustadt district. The 300-square-meter space was designed by the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, marking its first collaboration with the brand. The space is intended to offer a dialogue between the brand’s identity and the city’s port aesthetic.

The new boutique combines Polène’s signature curves and roundness with more industrial materials, featuring a brick floor, corten steel columns, and shelves carved into a wall with a cracked finish. The furniture, made from compressed leather scraps from Ubrique’s leather goods workshops, embodies the brand’s commitment to upcycling, while German designer Simon Stanislawski has crafted a sofa sculpted from recycled foam with a mineral appearance. Last but not least, a space featuring leatherworking tools and machines showcases the transformation of leather, highlighting the brand’s know-how.

Founded in 2016 by Antoine, Mathieu, and Elsa Mothay, grandchildren of the Saint James designer, Polène established itself as a benchmark DNVB before expanding internationally. In 2024, the brand became part of the L Catterton fund, affiliated with LVMH. In 2023, it generated sales of 143 million euros, 28% of which were in boutiques.

Already present in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, and London, Polène continues to expand, with three new openings scheduled for 2025 in Copenhagen, Milan, and Beijing.

The company’s offerings revolve around collections of leather bags and accessories made by over 2,200 Spanish craftsmen in Ubrique. Inspired by the organic forms of nature, the creations combine hand-sewn drapery, molded leather, and intricate braiding.

Since 2023, Polène has also enriched its ranges with a line of jewelry made in Italy and gilded with 24-carat gold, confirming a desire to broaden its creative scope while relying on European craftsmanship.