The origins of the House
Nestled under the arcades of Place des Vosges, in the heart of Paris, the flagship Maison Pourchet boutique sums up the saga of the eponymous brand.
In 1903, politician Auguste Gindre founded a workshop for his wife to make reticules—micro-bags worn on the fingers or wrists by elegant ladies of the early 20th century. However, it was their daughter, Marcelle, who established the brand as a fully-fledged leather bag manufacturer in 1920. Twenty-seven years later, her son, Robert Pourchet, was swept away by the family passion and took over the reins.
The 1950s were synonymous with innovation. Inspired by the shoemaking process, he created the first punches for leather goods and developed guides to mechanize the manufacture of handles, a revolution in the industry at the time. He also launched the first catalogs for sales representatives.
In the 1960s, Robert Pourchet set up his workshops on two floors in a charming private mansion on Rue du Faubourg du Temple in Paris. His company survived the crisis. While retailers rarely displayed their names on their creations, he added his famous logo, featuring the head of the Belfort lion with three rings.
The Pourchet house
Over the years
Discover our story.
1903
Creation in Paris of Maison Pourchet, a French leather goods company. A logo with a strong identity: the head of the Belfort lion with three rings, known worldwide today.
1920
Maison Pourchet established its workshops on Rue Charlot in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. This address then became the manufacturing hub for the brand's collections.
1940
Maison Pourchet has moved into a private mansion on Rue du Faubourg du Temple in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, where it will house its management and design studios.
1950
Understated sophistication and refined elegance characterize the "Croco" bag, a testament to the brand's unique expertise and reputation. Crocodile-effect leather, a trapezoidal shape, and a signature gold-tone metal clip lock have made this urbane bag one of the brand's greatest post-war successes.
1970
Maison Pourchet launches its famous "Madison" canvas. Dedicated to the brand's three signature colors: green, red, and navy, and referencing Pourchet's diamond-patterned quilting, this grained, printed coated canvas was originally designed for a luggage line. Today, it remains one of the Maison's signature codes and is produced in a modernized style across exclusive collections and small leather goods.
1980
Like the coated canvas created in 1970, the "Madison" bag perpetuates the House's three signature colors: green, red, and navy. Its leather cutouts, braided handles, and style make it a must-have from the 1980s.
1990
One of the Maison's bestsellers... The "509" bag has been a hit around the world. Devilishly elegant and decidedly urban with its generous, rounded shape and signature gold-tone metal clip lock, it was acclaimed by many women and hailed as the "it-bag" of the moment by the international press.
1996
To mark the 100th anniversary of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, sculptor Arman created a monumental work featuring over a hundred Pourchet bags. A work representative of his famous "accumulations."
2010
Maison Pourchet has chosen the offbeat universe of French artist David Cintract for its corporate image campaign. Halfway between Warhol and Lichtenstein, David Cintract projects his vision of the world across numerous artistic mediums. A DJ of image and material, he is the essential figurehead and founder of an innovative artistic movement: free pop.
2011
Maison Pourchet opens its first Parisian boutique at 13 Place des Vosges. Located in the heart of one of the capital's most iconic squares, this showcase offers an initiatory journey through the Pourchet collections and universe, becoming the Maison's flagship.
2012
Maison Pourchet collaborates with American designer Hilton McConnico for its corporate image campaign. The creator of the manifesto for the recapture of dreams and fantasy, Hilton McConnico is a daring all-rounder. He designs universes that place color and poetry at the heart of his message, thus establishing a true philosophy.
2013
Maison Pourchet is celebrating 110 years of expertise and design. The "110" bag celebrates this anniversary and the love of beautiful accessories. Urban energy, Made in France, for this timeless basic with its understated, sleek lines. Available in a limited and numbered edition in nubuck or a boutique version in grained leather or "Madison" canvas, this bag elegantly and modernly incorporates the exclusive house codes. Identifiable by a simple number, the "110" is structured, supple, and sturdy, and is designed to become one of the brand's great classics. A successful bet!
2016
In grained coated canvas, lacquered or leather, the "Cassetta" capsule collection from Maison Pourchet consists of three essential models: trotter bag, shopper bag and worker bag. A crazy look for these bags that play in multiple colors, combining minimalist aesthetics and practicality thanks to their straps with carabiners and their envelope closure with invisible snap button.
2017
Created in the 1970s, the "Madison" canvas is an exclusive edition referencing Maison Pourchet's famous diamond quilting. Initially available in the brand's signature colors of green, navy, and red, this coated canvas is now available in a beautiful palette of colors. It notably marks a brand new line of playful and clever concept bags as well as a capsule collection of numbered small leather goods.
2018
This year, Maison Pourchet is celebrating its 115th anniversary and, for the occasion, it is reinterpreting its famous "509" bag, emblematic of the Pourchet style in the 90s. Timeless and desirable, this 2018 version, called "115" - an anniversary must - combines a rounded and generous shape with sophisticated details. Italian leather, a saddle-stitched curved flap, a signature twist clasp, and a brushed brass logo cartridge give it a contemporary and determined look.
2018
Maison Pourchet opens a second location in Paris, located at 15 Avenue de l'Opéra in the 1st arrondissement. With its optical white walls, anthracite moldings accented with mirrored metal, light-colored parquet flooring, and playful lighting and reflections, this new space is resolutely Parisian. A simple, refined, and graphic universe dedicated to the women's and men's leather goods collections and the Maison's expertise.
