Polette
Polette is a French direct-to-consumer eyewear brand founded in 2011 by Pauline Cousseau and Pierre Wizman. It designs and produces its own frames and sells prescription glasses and sunglasses online at low prices.
| Founded | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Pauline Cousseau, Pierre Wizman |
| Country | France |
| Model | Direct-to-consumer, vertically integrated |
| Website | polette.com |
What is Polette?
Polette is a digital-native eyewear brand founded in 2011 by French entrepreneurs Pauline Cousseau and Pierre Wizman. It sells prescription glasses and sunglasses directly to consumers online.
Business model
Polette acts as a producer rather than a reseller. It designs its own frames, works with partner factories and holds a stake in a lens factory, which allows it to sell complete pairs of glasses from around 30 euros. Key features of the model include:
- Sales only through its own website, without marketplaces or third-party distributors
- A large catalogue with new designs released frequently
- Worldwide delivery of orders within about ten days
- Growth financed without outside investors
Distribution
Alongside e-commerce, Polette has opened showrooms in cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, Lille and Paris. The showrooms hold no stock: customers try frames and order through the website.
Why it matters
Polette is a European example of vertically integrated, direct-to-consumer eyewear, a model that challenges the traditional optician chain on price and has drawn comparison with US players such as Warby Parker.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Polette from?
Polette is a French eyewear brand founded in 2011.
Who founded Polette?
Polette was founded by Pauline Cousseau and Pierre Wizman.