There is something so special about seeing a little piece of France find its way to California! As someone who calls both the South of France and Orange County home, I'm always excited to see more French brands opening their doors here in the United States.
My story with Polène actually began in Paris, where I had the pleasure of visiting the house's beautiful Richelieu boutique and purchasing my beloved Cyme Mini in Camel. It's a handbag I've loved ever since, and one that carries such a special memory from my time back home in France!
So when I heard that the Parisian leather goods house was opening a boutique at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, I couldn't wait to visit!
I recently spent a lovely morning exploring the new boutique, discovering some of the house's latest creations, and meeting the wonderful team. I'm so excited to share a little look inside with you!
A Little About Polène
Founded in Paris in 2016 by three siblings, Antoine, Mathieu, and Elsa Mothay, Polène is a French leather goods house known for its sculptural handbags, elegant silhouettes, and appreciation for craftsmanship.
The house's leather handbags are crafted by skilled artisans in Ubrique, Spain, a town renowned for its leatherworking heritage. From the iconic Numéro Un and Cyme to its more recent creations, Polène brings together contemporary design, beautiful materials, and thoughtful details that give each piece its own distinctive character.
Inside Polène's New South Coast Plaza Boutique
📍 Polène South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Located in the heart of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Polène's new boutique is such a beautiful space to explore! The interior feels modern and minimalist, yet wonderfully warm and inviting, with sculptural details, natural materials, and a lovely sense of understated elegance.
I particularly loved the balance between clean lines and soft, organic shapes. The combination of glass, warm wood accents, and thoughtfully arranged displays creates a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere, complementing the house's distinctive handbag designs.
One of the most interesting architectural details is the beautiful stained-glass installation created by Judson Studios, a historic family-owned workshop here in California. I love how Polène has incorporated the work of a local Californian artisan into its boutique, bringing together two different traditions of craftsmanship. The beautiful glass details, warm wood accents, and oversized leather flowers add so much character to the space, creating a lovely balance between modern minimalism and sculptural design.
Discovering Polène's Latest Handbag Collections
One of my favorite parts of visiting a boutique is being able to discover collections in person. As much as I love browsing new arrivals online, there's something entirely different about seeing the colors, feeling the textures, and appreciating the details up close.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to explore several of Polène's latest creations, including the beautiful Felted collection, the Shuldo, the Boky, and more!
The Felted collection particularly caught my attention, bringing a lovely new texture to some of the house's familiar silhouettes. I always enjoy seeing how a change in material can give a handbag an entirely different personality.
I also loved discovering the Shuldo, with its soft, sculptural shape, and the Boky, with its distinctive folded design.
It's these little details that make visiting Polène in person so enjoyable. You really get to appreciate the creativity behind each silhouette and see how the different styles compare.
A Special Touch: Polène's Leather Flower Experience
Another detail I was so excited to learn about during my visit was Polène's special leather flower experience!
At the South Coast Plaza boutique, when you purchase a handbag, you have the opportunity to receive a complimentary leather flower charm, created using leftover leather from the house's workshops in Ubrique, Spain.
With the help of a Polène team member, you can choose the petals and take part in creating your own little flower to accessorize your handbag.
I think this is such a lovely idea, not only because it gives you something personal to take home with your new handbag, but also because it celebrates the craftsmanship behind the house's creations.
Something else I learned is that these leather flowers are collectible! Different Polène boutiques offer them through special experiences or for purchase, depending on the location. I love the thought of collecting them when visiting different Polène boutiques around the world. Such a sweet little keepsake to remember your travels!
A Few Things to Know Before Visiting
One thing I learned during my visit is just how popular the new boutique has already become!
The team mentioned that several handbag styles have been selling out, and with the holiday season approaching, they're expecting the boutique to become even busier.
If you've had your eye on a particular Polène handbag, especially if you're considering purchasing one as a holiday gift, I would recommend visiting sooner rather than later. Of course, availability can change, but it's worth keeping in mind if there's a specific style or color you've been hoping to find.
Another interesting detail I learned is that the prices displayed at this location already include sales tax!
That means the price you see is the price you pay at the register, without an additional sales tax amount appearing at checkout. I thought this was particularly interesting, especially since we're so accustomed to having sales tax added separately when shopping here in California. It's a small detail, but one I really appreciate!
Shop My Favorite Polène Bags
I've linked some of my favorite Polène handbags below, including my beloved Cyme Mini in Camel and a few other beautiful styles that caught my eye during my visit!
Watch My Visit to Polène South Coast Plaza
Come along with me for a little morning at Polène's newest California boutique! From discovering the latest handbag collections to exploring the beautiful space, I'm so excited to share a closer look inside.
A Little Piece of France, Closer to Home
Beyond the beautiful handbags and boutique design, what made this visit especially memorable for me was the warm welcome I received from the Polène team.
Everyone was absolutely wonderful, and I even had the pleasure of meeting a lovely team member who, like me, was born in France! We had the best time chatting in French, and it was one of those unexpected little moments that made the morning feel even more special.
Living between two countries, there are certain things I occasionally miss about France, from the familiar language to the little everyday moments that remind me of home. Being able to walk into a French boutique here in California and share a conversation in French was such a lovely surprise!
It's moments like these that make me especially happy to see more French houses finding their way to Orange County. I hope this is just the beginning of many more beautiful French brands making their way to our little corner of Southern California!
If you're ever visiting Orange County, I would absolutely recommend stopping by Polène's new boutique at South Coast Plaza. Whether you're considering your first Polène handbag or simply enjoy discovering French brands, it's such a lovely place to visit.
A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful Polène team for such a lovely welcome! I'm so happy to have a little piece of Paris closer to home, and I already look forward to visiting again!
Looking for more French handbag boutique visits? You might also enjoy:
Inside Polène Paris: Visiting the Richelieu Boutique & Choosing the Cyme Mini
Visiting Le Tanneur Paris: Discovering the Flagship Boutique and Timeless Handbags
Inside Léo et Violette Paris: In Tune With Timeless Handbag Design
Inside Ateliers Auguste Paris: A Visit to One of My Favorite French Handbag Brands
With Amour,
M.