VALERIANE LAZARD

In 2016, Polène, a Parisian leather goods brand was established by two brothers and their sister. Their signature designs embody the philosophy of classical lines combined with fluid and graceful curves. Their dedication to craftsmanship has been informed by fashion’s great predecessors, referencing Madeline Vionnet, Mariano Fortuny and Madame Grès. Their designs follow in the footsteps of the great creators by crafting designs that incorporate the intricate use of folds, enhancing the malleability of leather, and allowing the sculptural aspects to take centre stage. Their artisanal collection is brought to life by using the best hand-made production techniques in Spain. 

To interpret and replicate their signature philosophy into their first flagship boutique in Paris, the brand engaged with architect Valeriane Lazard, to create and design these sensibilities - particularly the notion of the curve. What has been exquisitely evoked, is a space that speaks of pure graphic and poetic refinement. 

The flagship boutique is located on rue de Richelieu in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, where it faces the impressive Louis VIII stone-facade of the Bibliothèque National de France and the Louvois Square with its historic fountain. The boutique is surrounded by two centuries of monumental history, and its new residence reflects the same architectural language that has also been chronicled. The building is draped with generously sized windows that wrap along the two adjacent walls of the corner store, allowing natural light to illuminate the space.

Upon entering the store, the clients are greeted with the architectural tones, such as the curve  shaped monolithic style column that bears the brand’s name carved into it, and is shimmered under the glow of soft warm light. For the interiors, Lazard designed a colour palette based on cool beige notes to compliment the Cognac, Bordeaux and Sienna colour ways of the brand’s products, so that they could be exhibited in a harmonious chorus. Plastered walls appear as if clothed in a soft fabric, are paired with the classic French oak parquet floors known as ‘Pont de Honglie’. 

Lazard has continued this strong minimalist expression through the refined and understated details such as the travertine stone shelves that have each been individually selected, and the leather fabricated hand railings that spiral along the circular staircase. On one side of the boutique, a bespoke artwork by the Australian painter Caroline Walls which commissioned for the store, adorns the elevations in neutral tones. The artwork exudes the same sensibilities of minimalism that have been expressed with the pure and linear forms. 

Notable custom designed features include a grand and imposing custom exhibition niche, creates a stunning gallery space for Polène’s products to be showcased. The niche is designed with rows of numerously lined leather-cladded miniature columns, which sing in the same soft notes of the curved melody of the space. On another note of showcased pieces with the space is the painted and lacquered table by Destroyers Builders known using their exclusive ‘Horn technique’. Designed to replicate a horn, the studio hand-painted the wooden table in many layers to achieve the look and texture, and then finished the table-top with a travertine stone top.

At Polène’s, Lazard has remarkably sculpted a restrained and noble space, that communicates in euphonious phrases of pure and unadulterated design expressions, which enrich the DNA of the brand’s identity. 

PHOTOGRAPHY | COURTESY OF DESSELLE PARTNERS & POLÈNE