Enter Polène, a leather goods brand founded by two brothers and a sister that sits squarely (and chicly) in the French minimalist brand category.

Parisians have an innate sense of effortless style and a foundation of classic accessories is part of that equation. “We were very lucky to have our bags featured in Emily in Paris on Lily Collins,” Co-founder Antoine Mothay shares. For French label Polène, a placement in a Netflix series drew swift attention to their collection. “Being recognized by Vogue and T Magazine in our first year was so special,” Porto founder Loddie Allison says. And despite the diversity of this talented group of designers and their teams, they share a unifying minimalist ethos - and, of course, a knack for making dreamy handbags.ĭesign, sourcing, and production aside, other driving forces behind their success has been a mixed bag. They’re based all around the globe, from New York to Paris to Amsterdam and beyond. These noteworthy labels - all of which have cropped up in recent years and are largely owned by women - are creating refreshed everyday essentials and collaborating with small, family-owned factories using quality and innovative fabrics. One such staple is a carryall that’s defined by its sleek simplicity, and the up-and-coming minimalist handbag brands that are currently on my radar hit all of these marks in spades. Staples designed with clean lines and in neutral hues transcend aesthetics because they can be worn with anything, effortlessly dressing up (or toning down) your personal look. The useful thing about understated style? It works for everyone.

Minimalist aesthetic tote bag design