Earlier this year, while in Paris, I had the opportunity to stop by Léo et Violette and spend some time exploring the collection.

There were already a few styles I was especially looking forward to seeing, but I was also looking forward to taking a closer look at one of the details I have always found particularly special about the brand: the signature Diapason clasp and the musical story behind it.

Between trying on some of my favorites, comparing the different leathers and seeing the collection together, the visit gave me a much better sense of the details behind the designs.

And somewhere along the way, one particular bag made its way straight to the top of my wishlist.

Come with me inside Léo et Violette in Paris!

About Léo et Violette

Founded in Paris in 2013 by Léo Dominguez and Violette Polchi, Léo et Violette creates leather goods designed in Paris and handcrafted in Italy.
The collections are developed between the brand’s Studio Sainte-Anne and its offices on rue Clauzel, with clean lines, functionality and thoughtful proportions at the center of the designs. Rather than relying on prominent logos or monograms, much of the brand’s identity comes through the shapes themselves, along with the hardware and smaller details that give certain pieces their own signature.
The leathers are sourced from LWG-certified tanneries in Italy and Spain and come from hides that are by-products of the food industry. The brand also incorporates practices including vegetable tanning and the use of dormant leather stocks.
Once the designs leave Paris, the bags are made by hand in family-run workshops between Milan and Naples. One of those workshops, located south of Naples and founded in the 1980s, has worked with Léo et Violette since the brand launched in 2013.

There is also a sense of continuity to the way the collections evolve. Around three quarters of Léo et Violette’s products belong to the permanent collection, while 40% of its models have existed for more than five years. Rather than completely replacing its designs each season, many of the core styles continue through new colors, materials and finishes.

That consistency also carries through to some of the smaller details that have become part of the brand’s identity. One of the most recognizable is the Diapason clasp, a signature piece of hardware with a particularly personal story behind it.

The Story Behind the Diapason

One of the details I have always loved about Léo et Violette is the story behind the **Diapason clasp**.
Violette is a classically trained opera singer, and music has long been part of her life. The clasp takes its inspiration from the shape of a tuning fork, or *diapason* in French, transforming something connected to her musical background into a recognizable element of the brand’s designs.
I love stories like this in handbags.
A beautiful shape may be what catches your eye first, but it is often the smaller details, especially the ones with a personal story behind them, that make a piece feel more memorable.
During my visit, I was especially excited to finally see the clasp up close and appreciate how it had been incorporated into the different designs. It has a sculptural quality that almost feels like jewelry against the leather, while still remaining subtle and beautifully integrated into the bag.

For the Laurence family, the Diapason was reworked into a softer, more rounded version, creating a recognizable signature without taking away from the simplicity of the design.

It is exactly the kind of detail I enjoy finding in a handbag: beautiful on its own, but even more interesting once you know the story behind it.

Inside Léo et Violette Paris

📍*12 Rue Sainte-Anne, 75001 Paris, France*
Léo et Violette now has two boutiques in Paris, with a second location on Rue Bonaparte.
Earlier this year, stepping inside the Rue Sainte-Anne boutique gave me the chance to spend time with many of the bags I had already been curious about, compare different sizes and, naturally, try on a few favorites.
The boutique was especially lively during my visit, with people from all over the world stopping in to explore the collection and try on the different styles. It was lovely to see how many people had traveled from near and far to discover the bags for themselves.
The collection includes many of the shades I naturally gravitate toward, from black and camel to chocolate brown and other warm neutrals. Seeing everything together also made it much easier to appreciate how differently a bag can feel depending on the leather or finish.

I found myself especially drawn to the suede pieces. The softer texture brings something slightly more relaxed to the clean lines, and several of them immediately caught my attention. The leathers and finishing throughout the collection looked gorgeous, and I loved being able to see some of my longtime favorites together for the first time.

Note: Since my visit earlier this year, the Rue Sainte-Anne boutique has been redesigned. The refreshed interior brings together solid wood, travertine, lacquered finishes, carefully sourced vintage pieces and a bespoke sound system, creating a warm setting that reflects Léo et Violette’s world of design, materials and music.

A Few Favorites From the Collection

The **Soft Laurence** was one of the handbags I was most excited to see, and by the end of my visit it had made its way firmly to the top of my wishlist.
It feels like the perfect soft everyday bag. The shape has enough structure to remain polished, while the softer construction gives it a relaxed quality that makes it easy to imagine carrying day after day. I was especially drawn to the **Laurence in suede**, which gives the design a softer, richer feel while keeping it understated and incredibly wearable.
The size also makes it especially appealing as an everyday bag. The Soft Laurence can accommodate A4 documents and a 13-inch laptop, giving it the functionality of a work bag while still feeling like a true handbag rather than a traditional tote.
I also loved the **Daily Soft Laurence**, particularly because of the top handle. It gives the bag a slightly different feel and another way to carry the design, while still keeping the softness and proportions I like so much about the Laurence family.

Seeing the Diapason clasp across the different Laurence styles made me appreciate the collection even more. Knowing the story behind the hardware gives the bags another layer, and that combination of function, simplicity and a meaningful detail is exactly what I tend to gravitate toward.
I am hoping to add one to my own collection soon.
The Soft Laurence may have been the style that stayed with me most, but it certainly wasn’t the only handbag I enjoyed seeing. **Le Duo** was another favorite, especially in burgundy, while **Le Marcia** felt like a smaller interpretation of the Laurence with that same polished, easy-to-wear feel.
Both would make beautiful everyday bags, especially because they can easily transition from shoulder to crossbody.
And if you’re looking for a larger tote, I also loved **Le Gina Tote**, one of the brand’s bestselling styles.

Being able to compare the different styles side by side was especially helpful when it came to understanding scale and proportion. Some bags felt completely different once I tried them on, while the choice of leather or suede could subtly change the overall character of the design.

I also found myself noticing the smaller construction details more closely, from the hardware and closures to the way different handles and straps changed the shape of the bag. Those are always the little things I enjoy discovering most during a boutique visit.

Shop My Favorite Léo et Violette Bags

I’ve gathered a few of my current Léo et Violette favorites below, including the Soft Laurence and several of the styles that stood out to me during my visit.

Watch My Visit to Léo et Violette Paris

I also captured a short glimpse inside the boutique during my visit.

Come along as I explore the collection, try on a few of the handbags and take a closer look at some of the leathers, shapes and design details that caught my eye along the way.

Planning a Shopping Trip to Paris?

If you’re planning a shopping day in Paris and enjoy discovering French handbag brands, Léo et Violette is another lovely address to keep on your radar.

Trying handbags in person can be especially helpful when deciding between different sizes, colors or materials, and I always find that seeing how a bag actually sits on the shoulder gives you a completely different sense of the design.

You’ll also find Léo et Violette on my Paris Handbag Shopping Map, alongside more of my favorite French handbag boutiques, fashion addresses, cafés and places I’ve discovered throughout the city.

Final Thoughts

One of my favorite parts of visiting handbag boutiques is discovering the details that give a design its personality, and the Diapason is such a lovely example of that.

It adds another layer to the collection, connecting the bags back to Violette’s musical background in such a subtle and personal way. It is one of those details that feels beautiful on its own, but becomes even more memorable once you know the story behind it.

The Soft Laurence in suede was also the bag that stayed with me most and has officially made its way to the top of my wishlist. I’m hoping one might eventually find its way into my collection.

For me, those are often the most interesting handbags: the ones that catch your eye first, then give you something more to discover when you look a little closer.

I hope you enjoyed coming along with me inside Léo et Violette and perhaps found a new handbag, or Parisian address, to save for a future trip!

Looking for more French handbag boutiques to visit? You might also enjoy:

With Amour,

M.

Inside Léo et Violette Paris: In Tune With Timeless Handbag Design

About Léo et Violette

The Story Behind the Diapason