One of my favorite parts of discovering European handbag brands is learning about the stories and inspiration behind their collections. I especially love coming across brands whose creative vision and approach to design resonate with my own personal style.
That was the case with Poelle, an independent European accessories brand based in Ukraine, whose L'Art de Vivre collection immediately caught my attention.
Inspired by the French art of living, the collection celebrates an appreciation for beautiful details and the little moments that make everyday life special. Having grown up in France, I felt an immediate connection to the inspiration behind it.
When I came across the Cecilie bag in Marsala, I was drawn to its silhouette and rich burgundy leather. Burgundy has been one of my favorite colors lately, especially for fall and winter, and I loved the idea of adding this particular shade to my handbag collection.
Since receiving the Cecilie, I've already had the chance to wear it on a few date nights and while running everyday errands, and I've been loving how naturally it's fit into my wardrobe.
So I thought I'd share a closer look at Poelle, the inspiration behind L'Art de Vivre, and my first impressions of the Cecilie.
About Poelle
Founded in 2021 by Pavlo Popko and Petro Lyshak, Poelle is an independent accessories brand based in Horodok, near Lviv, Ukraine.
The name Poelle brings together three words: Poetry, Pelle, the Italian word for leather, and Elle, the French word for she. I love this little detail, especially knowing how much art and creativity influence the brand's collections.
Poelle creates its handbags in its own atelier in Horodok, where each piece is handcrafted in small batches. From the initial pattern to the final finishing details, the entire process takes place under one roof.
Another aspect of Poelle that caught my attention is its connection to art. The brand draws inspiration from Dutch still-life paintings, Henri Matisse's collages, Mark Rothko's color studies, and the films of David Lynch.
I always enjoy learning about the people and creative ideas behind the brands I feature on Maéva, and it's been lovely getting to know Poelle's story, particularly its hands-on approach to leather craftsmanship.
L'Art de Vivre: The Collection Behind the Cecilie
The Cecilie bag belongs to Poelle's debut women's collection, L'Art de Vivre, inspired by the French art of living.
The collection takes inspiration from simple everyday pleasures, from enjoying a morning coffee at a favorite café to spending an afternoon exploring the city. That philosophy is reflected in the collection's clean lines, architectural silhouettes, and carefully selected leathers.
For me, l'art de vivre is about taking the time to enjoy the little things, whether that's a leisurely coffee, a walk through a favorite neighborhood, or getting dressed for dinner with someone you love.
It's a sentiment I grew up with in France and one I try to bring into Maéva through the brands, places, and everyday favorites I share.
That personal connection is what made this collection particularly special to discover, and I love how Poelle has translated the inspiration into its handbag designs.
About the Cecilie Handbag
The Cecilie by Poelle is an east-west shoulder bag with an elongated silhouette, distinctive rounded handles, and a structured leather finish.
Its sophisticated shape immediately caught my attention, particularly how polished it looks with both everyday outfits and more dressed-up pieces. I also appreciate the length of the handles, which makes it comfortable to wear on the shoulder, even with thicker knits and layered outfits during the colder months.
I chose the Cecilie in Marsala, a rich burgundy shade with warm brown undertones. It's a beautiful color for fall and winter, and one that complements so many of the neutral tones I wear throughout the year.
I particularly love how the Marsala shade brings out the richness of the leather and highlights the bag's elegant shape. It's such a lovely color to incorporate into a wardrobe filled with timeless staples.
My Notes
Since receiving the Cecilie, I've already worn it on a few date nights, going out for drinks with friends and while running everyday errands, and I've been really enjoying how versatile it is.
One of my favorite things about this bag is how it balances a chic, sophisticated design with everyday practicality. There's plenty of room inside for my essentials and a few little extras, and I've found it comfortable to wear on my shoulder throughout the day.
I've also been enjoying styling it with different outfits. It looks beautiful with a more dressed-up look for dinner, but I love it just as much with classic denim, a simple knit, or a tailored coat.
The color has been another favorite detail. I particularly love pairing it with creams, chocolate browns, soft grays, and denim. Burgundy is such a beautiful shade for fall and winter, but one I love incorporating into my wardrobe throughout the year, from handbags to simple tops and knitwear.
Shop Poelle Handbags
Explore the Cecilie bag in Marsala featured throughout this article, along with a few other handbags from Poelle that I've been loving! From elegant everyday silhouettes to beautiful leather and suede designs, I've included a selection of my favorite styles and colors from the brand:
Final Thoughts
It's been such a pleasure getting to know Poelle and learning more about the people, craftsmanship, and creative inspiration behind its collections.
As for my Cecilie Bag, I'm so happy to have added it to my collection! It's been such a lovely handbag to wear, and I have a feeling you'll be seeing quite a bit more of this little burgundy bag around here!
Looking for more handbag inspiration? You might also enjoy:
The Rachel Bag by Nat & Nin: An Effortless Brown Suede Shoulder Bag for Autumn
The Munchkin Bag by RSVP Paris: The Perfect Little Black Handbag
Disclosure: This post features certain items that were kindly gifted.
With Amour,
M.