The Fashion Memo

The Bags Everyone Is Coveting This Season

L-R: Gucci, The Row, Bottega Veneta

From Gucci’s ‘Paparazzo’ to Loewe’s ‘Amazona 180’, these are the new It-styles being delivered by fashion’s leading luxury houses. Read on for our edit of effortlessly chic bags to invest in this fall/winter

Words Colleen RossFashion editor Millie Parry
Fashion
Bottega Veneta’s ‘Andiamo’, with its signature knot detail, is an irresistible classic

Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta’s signature Intrecciato weave is one of its most beautiful – and longest-standing – house codes, making its logo-free bags instantly identifiable to those in the know. The ‘Andiamo’ and mini ‘Barbara’ tote designed by the house’s creative director, Louise Trotter, are effortlessly sophisticated, while the archival ‘Baby Campana’ has a softly structured shape that molds to the body, making it supremely comfortable to carry. Then there’s the new ‘Corso’ tote – the perfect size for busy days, whether you’re traveling or commuting.

  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Andiamo medium Intrecciato leather top-handle bag
    €4,900.00
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Barbara mini Intrecciato leather tote
    €3,800.00
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Intrecciato suede clutch
    €2,900.00
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Baby Campana 19 leather shoulder bag
    €3,100.00

Saint Laurent

Looking to inject your wardrobe with a touch of Parisian cool? Saint Laurent’s beautifully crafted bags will elevate even the most pared-back outfits. The ‘Mombasa’ bag, for instance, is an elegant and endlessly versatile everyday bag that works as well with a suit as it does jeans and flats. Originally designed in 2002 by former creative director Tom Ford, it’s revived this season in the same crescent shape, complete with a leather-wrapped horn handle and tapered stitching. Then there’s the ‘Niki’, which comes as both a tote and a crossbody bag in chevron-stitched crinkled leather with gold chain straps and signature hardware, the ‘Le 5 à 7 Bea’ tote in leopard-print calf hair or the the capacious ‘Icare’ – Saint Laurent’s chic, supersized answer to a classic shopper.

  • SAINT LAURENT
    Mombasa medium paneled leather shoulder bag
    €3,500.00
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Icare maxi full-grain leather tote
    €5,500.00
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Niki mini Cassandre-embellished crinkled-leather shoulder bag
    €1,800.00
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Le 5 À 7 Bea leopard-print calf hair tote
    €4,500.00
When it comes to arm candy, Saint Laurent’s leopard-print ‘Le 5 à 7 Bea’ is a hero piece
A classic Gucci bag will always stand the test of time – whatever your style

Gucci

When it comes to handbags that stand the test of time, few do it better than Gucci – in particular, its bestselling ‘Jackie’ style, which has been a must-have since it was first introduced in the 1960s. Named after former First Lady and style icon Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the bag had a modern makeover and comes in a ‘1961’ and ‘Giorno’ silhouette, and counts Cate Blanchett and Jodie Turner-Smith among its fans. For those who love a classic chain-strap bag, the ‘Jetset GG Marmont’ ticks all the boxes, while the ‘Giglio’ celebrates the brand’s equestrian heritage with signature striped webbing. Of all the bags in the Gucci stable, this season, we have our eye on the ‘Paparazzo’ (inspired by styles from the ’90s and early 2000s) and the ‘Borsetto’, both designed by current creative director Demna – and, thanks to their size, wonderfully practical.

  • GUCCI
    Giglio large leather-trimmed canvas-jacquard tote
    €1,800.00
  • GUCCI
    Jetset GG Marmont quilted leather crossbody bag
    €2,500.00
  • GUCCI
    Borsetto Horsebit-embellished suede-trimmed leather shoulder bag
    €2,600.00
  • GUCCI
    Paparazzo Medium suede-trimmed leather shoulder bag
    €2,900.00
An effortlessly cool tote by The Row is on every stylish minimalist’s wish list

The Row

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s brand, The Row, has become a byword for understated luxury. To own one of its achingly cool, minimalist designs is to join a club of sorts, recognized only by the most sartorially literate. The handbags – beautifully crafted from fine leather in Italy and stamped with the most discreet, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it logos – are a perfect example of this stealth/wealth aesthetic and are loved by Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lawrence and Zoë Kravitz. Introduced last year, the ‘Agnes’ tote comes in a slouchy, bowling shape in two different sizes – the largest has plenty of space for a laptop and a sweater. Joining its ranks are the ‘Marlo’, which is inspired by the brand’s iconic ‘Margaux’ tote from 2018, the ‘Alma’, in a classic streamlined bucked shape, and the softly structured ‘Terrasse’.

  • THE ROW
    Marlo 12 textured-leather tote
    €5,310.00
  • THE ROW
    Alma leather shoulder bag
    €3,580.00
  • THE ROW
    Terrasse textured-leather shoulder bag
    €3,800.00
  • THE ROW
    Agnes 15 leather tote
    €5,420.00

Khaite

From razor-sharp pumps and sleek croc-effect belts to must-have chunky earrings, New York brand Khaite knows how to create a cult accessory – and its bags are no exception. Designed in collaboration with prestigious Italian factories in Veneto and Tuscany, each style is masterfully crafted using exquisite materials – from irresistibly soft suede to plush pebbled leather in dynamic, considered shapes. Needless to say, you’re spoilt for choice. There’s the ‘Olivia’, reminiscent of 2000s boho silhouettes, the ‘Lotus’, inspired by the fluidity of a scarf, and the ‘Blake’, which comes as both a clutch and a shoulder bag. For evening, reach for the elegant ‘Audrey’ clutch in polka-dot calf hair or chartreuse suede.

Khaite has created cult classics in all shapes and sizes
Chloé is the go-to brand for arm candy with bags of boho charm

Chloé

For beautiful bags with boho charm, Parisian brand Chloé is a fail-safe investment. The iconic ‘Paddington’ is revived this season with a new-and-improved design to celebrate 20 years since its debut on the spring/summer 2005 runway. Meanwhile, the ‘Banana’ – another archival piece from the early 2000s – has a namesake handle decorated with playful charms and a detachable strap. Last, but by no means least, the ‘Marcie’ bag comes in a distinctive saddle shape and is reworked this season in statement cow-print calf hair.

  • CHLOÉ
    Marcie calf hair shoulder bag
    €2,050.00
  • CHLOÉ
    Paddington leather-trimmed suede shoulder bag
    €2,490.00
  • CHLOÉ
    Paddington large locket-detail leather bag
    €3,300.00
  • CHLOÉ
    Banana leather shoulder bag
    €1,850.00

Alaïa

The late Tunisian couturier Azzedine Alaïa approached the body as a sculpture, crafting his masterpieces through fabric, cut and silhouette. Today, the maison’s handbags are similarly finessed: the ever-evolving ‘Mina’ tote is perforated with a signature ‘Nouvelle Vienne’ pattern, while the elongated ‘Delta’ bag comes in a geometric silhouette with chic top handles and is perfect for date night. Elsewhere, ‘Le Teckel’ takes its name from the French word for dachshund – on account of its elongated shape – and is already a modern classic.

  • ALAÏA
    Le Teckel Flap Small leather-trimmed calf hair shoulder bag
    €2,600.00
  • ALAÏA
    Le Teckel medium nubuck shoulder bag
    €2,300.00
  • ALAÏA
    Mina 20 laser-cut leather top-handle bag
    €1,950.00
  • ALAÏA
    Mina 37 laser-cut leather tote
    €2,600.00
A chic Alaïa bag is a true modern classic – as well as the perfect way to add a cool pop of color, à la Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
A luxurious Loewe bag is the ultimate investment piece

Loewe

Spanish brand Loewe hits the sweet spot between cool and quirky, nowhere more so than in its imaginative accessories. From the origami-inspired ‘Puzzle’ bag, which is crafted from asymmetric panels of supple leather and can be styled in five different ways, to the archival ‘Flamenco’ clutch, which first launched in the ’80s and resembles the hem of a dancer’s dress when the drawstrings are pulled, there’s a playfulness to all Loewe accessories. The ‘Amazona’ bag, which debuted in 1975, is reintroduced by new creative directors Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez in honor of the brand’s 180-year anniversary – this time with a relaxed open top and single top handle. Finally, there’s the ‘Scarf’ bag, which features two panels of leather tied together like its namesake, and the ‘Whisker’, crafted using an artisanal intarsia technique – expect to see this checked version on the arm of countless showgoers during fashion month.

  • LOEWE
    Amazona 180 small leather top-handle bag
    €3,600.00
  • LOEWE
    Scarf mini knot-detailed leather shoulder bag
    €1,900.00
  • LOEWE
    Flamenco leather-trimmed paneled striped canvas clutch
    €2,400.00
  • LOEWE
    Featherlight Puzzle small textured-leather top-handle bag
    €3,600.00

Valentino Garavani

Since turning his talents to the Roman house two years ago, Alessandro Michele has transformed Valentino Garavani into a maximalist’s dream, with historical references, eclectic embellishments and timeless shapes making each piece feel like a prized vintage find. The clothes are, of course, magical, but the bags are pretty special, too. Inspired by ’90s styles, the ‘DeVain’ comes in an array of ornate textures and embellishments, while the ‘Rockstud Spike’ playfully pays homage to the brand’s signature motif. If you’re on the hunt for a new everyday bag, then be prepared to fall head over heels for the ‘Panthea’, which has already found a star-filled fanbase in Rihanna, Bella Hadid and Jenna Ortega, and the ‘Jean’ in chevron-quilted leather.

  • VALENTINO GARAVANI
    DeVain sequin-embellished cloqué shoulder bag
    €2,980.00
  • VALENTINO GARAVANI
    Panthea medium embellished patchwork leather and suede shoulder bag
    €2,950.00
  • VALENTINO GARAVANI
    Jean medium chevron leather tote
    €2,800.00
  • VALENTINO GARAVANI
    Spike Small studded quilted leather shoulder bag
    €2,400.00
Valentino Garavani’s exquisite design details can make a bag feel like a prized vintage find
A cult Balenciaga bag is an iconic investment piece for every wardrobe

Balenciaga

Balenciaga is no stranger to creating a cult bag – the brand is behind some of the buzziest designs of the last 25 years, starting with the ‘City’ tote, which first launched in 2001 and is still every bit as iconic. Then there’s the brand’s ‘Rodeo’ tote, masterminded by former creative director Demna three years ago. Named after Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and arriving in a new mini shape, it’s defined by accordion-like folds, which emphasize the relaxed unstructured shape, and an elegant twist-lock-fastening flap. Debuted by current creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli in his first collection for the house, the ‘Le 7’ is an elegant evolution of the ‘Rodeo’ that comes in a more compact, crossbody shape, while the ‘Carrie’ puts a chic spin on vintage bowling styles.

  • BALENCIAGA
    Le City medium embellished suede shoulder bag
    €2,490.00
  • BALENCIAGA
    Rodeo mini leather top-handle bag
    €2,500.00
  • BALENCIAGA
    Carrie small suede shoulder bag
    €2,200.00
  • BALENCIAGA
    Paris VII leather shoulder bag
    €2,700.00
New York brand Savette exemplifies sartorial simplicity at its very best

Savette

In just five years, New York-based brand Savette has become a fashion insider favorite for refined handbags with a contemporary twist – think geometric silhouettes and gleaming cylindrical hardware. Founder Amy Zurek, who cut her teeth at Khaite and The Row, is fastidious about details and draws much of her inspiration from modern art. The ‘Symmetry’ bag is defined by its clean, parallel and perpendicular lines. It’s available as both a tote (the ‘Slim Pochette’) and a shoulder bag (the ‘Soft Symmetry’) – each numbered to reflect its size. The ‘Large Trapeze’ tote, meanwhile, is destined to become your favorite workweek staple.

  • SAVETTE
    Soft Symmetry leather top handle bag
    €2,170.00
  • SAVETTE
    Slim Symmetry Pochette suede top-handle bag
    €1,420.00
  • SAVETTE
    Symmetry Trapeze leather-trimmed suede top-handle bag
    €1,420.00
  • SAVETTE
    Slim Symmetry Pochette leather top-handle bag
    €1,650.00

Métier

Métier founder Melissa Morris studied sculpture before pursuing a career in fashion – a practice reflected in the clean, architectural lines of her bags. Detailed with little more than a discreet diamond clasp and a gold foil logo, each design is thoughtfully crafted for life on the move and quality-tested to ensure they can withstand years of daily wear. Highlights from the collection include the ‘Private Eye’ and ‘Incognito’ totes, which both have ample space for workweek essentials; and the ‘Tilt’ in a relaxed, bucket shape. The ‘Ease’ clutch, meanwhile, is perfect for evening events – and even comes with a detachable strap for hands-free styling.

  • MÉTIER
    Leather clutch
    €1,550.00
  • MÉTIER
    Private Eye textured-leather shoulder bag
    €4,450.00
  • MÉTIER
    Tilt 22 suede shoulder bag
    €1,950.00
  • MÉTIER
    Private Eye large leather tote
    €4,650.00

Toteme

Since it launched in 2014, Swedish label Toteme has garnered a cult following among fashion purists who appreciate clever design and craftsmanship – minus the logos. The brand’s sophisticated ‘Day’ tote and ‘Clip’ bag are both practical and timeless additions to your everyday. Elsewhere, the ‘Mercer’– launched in January 2026 – is inspired by biker jackets and detailed with sculptural folds for a unique point of difference. It’s only a matter of time before brand muse Katie Holmes is spotted wearing one.

A Toteme bag elevates every look in effortless Scandi style

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