Leather goods maker Polène has opened a new flagship store in Seoul, serving as the French brand’s first store in South Korea.
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Located in the trendy Gangnam neighbourhood, the new Polène store covers 2,640 square feet and was designed by design studio WGNB and its founder Jonghwan Baek.
The store design draws inspiration from leather and its malleability, laid out like a sheet “cutting into the building and organising the space with draping panels,” said the brand in a statement.
The facade, with its large bay windows, reveals to passersby a variety of earthy palettes and natural materials, including Ginkgo-wood furniture carved by cabinetmaker Jungjoo, demonstrating the Parisian label’s commitment to promoting local craftsmanship. Artist Dosol Lee also created a ceramic table that uses optical illusions to mimic the texture of leather.
On the same floor, shoppers will find the latest handbag and leather accessories collections for women from the sustainable brand, which makes its accessible luxury goods in Spain
Upstairs, customers can step into a ‘Photobloom’ photobooth, accessorised with large leather flowers, to snap photos of themselves in an immersive natural landscape.
Founded in Paris in 2016 by three siblings, Mathieu, Antoine, and Elsa Mothay, Polène creates minimalist leather goods in unique shapes made in Ubrique.
Since its inception, Polène has also unveiled a new line of jewellery, gilded with 24-carat gold and crafted by artisans in Italy.
In September last year, Poléne opened its first Asia retail location in Japan, opting for Tokyo’s prestigious Omotesandō Avenue to make its debut in the region. Looking ahead, the brand will open its first flagship in London this year.