6 Archival Accessories Making A Comeback This Season

Given its cult status, it’s hard to believe that Balenciaga’s ‘Le City’ tote (or the ‘Motorcycle City’ as it was originally known) wasn’t an instant hit. Masterminded by former creative director, Nicolas Ghesquière, only 25 were put into production after its 2001 runway debut – not because it wasn’t good, but because it was the complete opposite to the logo-laden designs dominating fashion at the time. But that all changed thanks to Kate Moss. The minute the supermodel stepped out with one, the ‘City’s’ popularity skyrocketed. Designed in a supple, unstructured shape – studded with biker-inspired hardware, such as buckles, rivets and zips – it had an effortless, lived-in look that appealed to those at the heart of the Indie scene in London and LA. After experiencing a major comeback two years ago, the design has found a new generation of fans, becoming the go-to style for chic, cool girls everywhere – including Charli xcx and PORTER cover star Sarah Pidgeon.

If you missed out on Chloé’s ‘Paddington’ the first time around, then now’s your chance to finally own the hottest bag of the early 2000s. Originally designed by Phoebe Philo for the brand’s spring/summer 2005 collection, and loved by everyone from Sienna Miller to Kate Moss, the elongated east-west design is immediately recognizable for its equestrian-inspired detailing and leather-wrapped buckle. To celebrate 20 years since its debut, Chloé creative director Chemena Kamali revived the design on the fall/winter ’25 runway, where it was hooked over the arms of the fashion crowd, including Alexa Chung and Tish Weinstock. The newest iteration is almost identical to the original, only, thankfully, much lighter to carry – and comes in an array of gorgeous new colors and textures to covet, from burgundy python-effect leather to deliciously soft biscuit suede.

When Anthony Vaccarello reintroduced Saint Laurent’s ‘Mombasa’ bag last year, it was to the delight of longtime devotees. Originally designed by Tom Ford during his tenure at the house, the cult accessory had become a coveted vintage find, with collectors scouring resale sites in the hopes of getting their hands on an original. Named after the Kenyan city, the revived design features the same horn-shaped handle (now crafted from plexiglass rather than the real thing) and slouchy, crescent silhouette, but feels cleaner and more refined. It’s already been spotted on the arm of Bella Hadid (who also fronts the campaign), cementing its status as one of the coolest comebacks of the season.

Valentino Garavani’s ‘Rockstud’ is so iconic, it negates the need for a logo. Dreamed up by former creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli in 2010, the metallic pyramid hardware, which first appeared on a pair of pumps, is inspired by bugnato – a decorative stone that can be found on the facades of historic buildings around Rome – and has been used to adorn everything from leather accessories to ready-to-wear, becoming an instant symbol of Italian luxury to those in the know. Fast-forward to 2026 and it was a cameo in the trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2 (on the feet of Miranda Priestly, no less), which reignited our love for the original ‘Rockstud’ heels. Naturally, Valentino Garavani creative director Alessandro Michele was already one step ahead, making them the focal point of his pre-fall ’26 collection for the house, with styles ranging from caged slingbacks to elegant open-toe sandals.