Antoine Mothay

Antoine Mothay is a French entrepreneur and the co-founder of Polène, a Parisian leather goods house that has become a global benchmark for “accessible luxury.” Alongside his siblings, Elsa and Mathieu, Mothay founded the brand in 2016 with a mission to bridge the gap between high-end heritage houses and lower-quality mass-market labels.

The Mothay siblings descend from a significant textile lineage; their great-grandfather was the founder of the iconic Normandy-based brand Saint James. This heritage of craftsmanship informs Polène’s operational model, which eschews traditional logo-driven marketing in favour of sculptural, architectural silhouettes and artisanal integrity. The brand’s signature designs, such as the “Numéro Un” and “Numéro Dix,” are hand-assembled in Ubrique, Spain, using premium leathers sourced from certified tanneries in Spain and Italy.

A major strategic milestone occurred in September 2024, when L Catterton (the private equity arm backed by LVMH) acquired a minority stake in the company. This partnership has fuelled a rapid international retail expansion. In 2026, Polène has an established a presence in major fashion capitals including New York, Tokyo, Seoul and London, with boutiques designed by architect Valériane Lazard to reflect the brand’s minimalist aesthetic.

Under Mothay’s leadership, the brand has also formalised its commitment to circularity. The “Plèi” collection, launched in 2024, repurposes production offcuts into intricate macramé and beadwork, ensuring material efficiency. Mothay remains a vocal advocate for the “fair price” model, maintaining that exceptional quality and contemporary design do not require exorbitant luxury mark-ups. He is based in Paris and serves as a director for the brand’s global subsidiaries.