Launched in July 2019, Voline Paris is a high-end leather goods brand that couples the know-how of French craftsmanship with the subtlety of art. Sharp, unique designs, carried high by a woman of enterprise, taste and character. 

ROSEBLOG - Hello Pauline, you are the creator of Voline Paris. Can you tell our readers a little about yourself?

Pauline Volpe - I am Pauline, creator of the high-end leather goods brand Voline Paris . I come from a family of artisans, I grew up surrounded by beautiful materials and leatherwork... Yet, I didn't originally go into this field! I studied art, then worked as a press officer for the Grand Palais for five years. This return to craftsmanship and the creation of Voline didn't happen overnight, it was the culmination of a journey for me.

ROSEBLOG - How was Voline born? Did you always want to create your own brand of leather goods? Why this name? 

Pauline Volpe - Voline was born as a matter of course. In a way, it combines two facets of my life and personality: the link between craftsmanship and my roots, and my passion for art, which I developed through my first profession. I wanted to offer products that would bring out all the talent and know-how of French craftsmanship in leather goods. As for the name, it's simply a contraction of my last name Volpe and my first name Pauline.

ROSEBLOG- Voline models are unique. What inspires you in the design of your accessories? 

Pauline Volpe - With Voline, I want to bring together pure art and craftsmanship, in the sense that the object itself is a work of art! A work that highlights the finesse and quality of our craftsmen's work. As for the design, I wanted something quite new, something striking... So I went for a first original model, choosing the square shape. The square shape is rarely used in leather goods, because it's difficult to handle. It requires a lot of work and calculations to find the right dimensions and give the piece the best possible balance.

ROSEBLOG -How long does it take to design a Voline bag?

Pauline Volpe - This research into shapes, drawings and calculations can sometimes take a few weeks, but it can also take several months! Once the design is complete, we move on to the development and craftsmanship. I work with two workshops, one in Paris and the other in Tours. First we make a model, then one or more prototypes, then a production run, working on materials and metalwork, changing measurements, revising the model... There are many, many stages before you end up with a finished, marketed product. On my first bags, I worked for two years before I had a perfect product! 

ROSEBLOG - Voline defines itself as a committed, responsible brand. How and why? 

Pauline Volpe - My main commitment is to French craftsmanship. As I was saying, in France we have incredible know-how that needs to be preserved. I wanted to make this knowledge accessible by offering luxury products at fair prices. I like the fact that I produce in France, and that I use a short production circuit by sourcing in Europe, in Italy for example (which also limits the brand's carbon footprint). I didn't want to export materials and accessories from the other side of the world. For me, it makes no sense to make beautiful objects that aren't made in a beautiful way. You buy, and you pay a price, but you get quality and, above all, a bag that will last for decades. That's the brand's main commitment! 

ROSEBLOG - Ton modèle Voline préféré ? Et pourquoi ?

Pauline Volpe - It's a very complicated question for me to answer... For a long time, the Merveilleux was my very first model. I wore it for years, but since last summer it's been the l'Effronté model that I can't get rid of. I can't really choose anymore, not to mention that a new model has just arrived (the l'Audacieuse clutch), which can be modulated to my heart's content and which I'm wearing more and more... I can't love one more than the other, it's like having children! 

The Merveilleux Cerise bag by Voline Paris 

ROSEBLOG - Have you encountered any difficulties as a woman entrepreneur getting started? What advice would you give to women who want to start their own business?

Pauline Volpe - It's a long job, and the Covid crisis hasn't helped matters, but it's a job that pays off when you persevere! The feedback has been very good, and little by little the brand is gaining ground. The life of an entrepreneur (man or woman) is full of difficulties... You always have to keep moving forward and find solutions to difficulties. For me, being a woman entrepreneur is far from easy. When I started training to design my own bags, my son was four months old. I was working 80 hours a week, so it was hard. A lot of people said to me, "It's a good thing your partner is there to help you". I didn't really appreciate that, because if the roles were reversed, nobody would have made that remark to my partner! I don't see why a mother should deprive herself of self-fulfilment just because she's had a child. Other people's views on my status as a woman entrepreneur and mother have been harsh. To be an entrepreneur, you have to be a little ball. For me, it's like motherhood: you can't pretend it's easy! It's hard for everyone, and that's normal. 

ROSEBLOG - Apart from the online shop, are Voline creations available for sale elsewhere? 

Pauline Volpe - I also sell in Chartres, Blois and in a temporary boutique in Brussels. I'd very much like to consider a permanent boutique and of course multiply them as much as possible!

ROSEBLOG and Le Point Beauté - The pace of life as a businesswoman must be pretty hectic, so how do you find time for yourself? What are your well-being rituals when you can finally relax? 

Pauline Volpe - For me, it's essential to take time for myself. I need to feel good. Even in the early days of motherhood, I took the time to shower and put on makeup. I can't leave the house without at least some mascara! It's important for me to take this time for myself. The ritual I've always done is cleanse my face morning and night. I could never go to bed without removing my makeup or start my day without washing my face.