If you were to scroll through social media on any given day, you'd likely see a series of posts dedicated to one of the most popular luxury brands among Gen-Z at the moment: Miu Miu. It's having its moment. But this brand's claim to fame doesn't solely lie with its buzzy runway shows, as its bags are just as noteworthy. That's no more apparent than with how frequently you'll spot a-listers carrying one of their purses—fans include Gigi Hadid, Zaya Wayde, and Sydney Sweeney. While numerous bag styles have reached cult status since the brand's inception in '92, none have had a more meteoric rise than the Miu Miu Arcadie Bag.
Debuted within the F/W 23 collection, this bag comes in a minimal '90s-inspired duffle shape available in twodifferent sizes and with a detachable shoulder strap. The bag was launched on the runway in a supple leather iteration available in six colorways. Since then, the brand has expanded the offering to include a version of the bag in the atelier's signature matelassé leather in six colorways. It's the bag's signature shape, luxurious leather, and fun colors that have fully got a grip on the celeb set. We've already spotted this style on Rita Ora, Hailey Baldwin Bieber, and Emily Ratajkowski, proving that this is one of the hottest bags of 2023, hands down.
Some bags make a splash when they debut, while others are whispered about among the cool crowd—Ferragamo's Prisma Shoulder Bag falls in the latter. Anyone who's downloaded into the fashion industry knows that the Prisma bag marked the debut of one of the most anticipated creative director appointments: Maximilian Davis. It's rare for a British-Trinidadian-Jamaican to secure such a lofty position in the industry, much less within only five years after graduating from the London College of Fashion. Nevertheless, Davis made waves with his namesake label because of his sultry take on tailoring, and that unique perspective has informed all of his collections thus far at Ferragamo. But, if we're honest, we still think the Prisma bag is his best work yet.
One might argue that we're slightly biased towards this bag—after all, my colleague, Anna LaPlaca, and I have a dedicated fan group just for this Ferragamo bag. But I can assure you that we're not the only ones obsessed with the Prisma. Since its debut on the runway in S/S 23, it has already been spotted on fashion girls, including former Victoria's Secret model Sara Sampaio, British actress Michaela Coel, and musician Dua Lipa. What's made this bag such a crowd-pleaser is its sculptural shape—the sharp angles add visual intrigue while also creating an ultra-spacious interior. If that wasn't enough of a selling point, the bag features an adjustable shoulder strap with minimal hardware, comes in two sizes, and is available in seven colors. All of this is to say that while this bag has had a more low-key launch, it's an item that only the people who get it, will get.
Unlike other luxury houses that start with haute couture or ready-to-wear lines and then expand to accessories, Bottega Veneta, from the jump, was in their bag (literally). Though the Italian fashion house was founded in 1966 by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro, it has remained a symbol of understated luxury worldwide because of its emphasis on craftsmanship. For the atelier, it's not just a publicity stunt to champion artisan techniques; it's a part of their history. Case in point: their signature woven leather technique, intrecciato. The braiding technique put the brand's bags on the map, but the long legacy of this luxury house isn't the only reason it's stayed on it. In recent years, we've seen the brand's rich archives reimagined through various creative directors, including the recently appointed Matthieu Blazy.
Since his debut collection in F/W 22, Blazy has managed to weave together the legacy of this house into the modern world through his contemporary take on the intrecciato weave—we've seen it applied to knee-high wader boots, tailored pencil skirts, and, of course, handbags. While there have been numerous items by Blazy that have blown up, none have done so quite like the Andiamo Bag. Debuted on the S/S 23 runway, this bag is characterized by its timeless top handle shape with a sliding cross-body strap, metal knot hardware, and supple leather that comes in 10 colors. Additionally, the bag comes in three sizes, making it one of the most pragmatic purses to purchase on the market—at least in the eyes of the celeb set. In the past few months alone, this bag has already been spotted on the Michelle Yeoh, Jacob Elordi, and Hailey Baldwin Bieber; it likely won't stop there. With so many people (even stars) craving pieces that embody the "quiet luxury" aesthetic, this bag will only get buzzier.
Let's be honest: no other luxury brand is as popular with the celebrity set as Hermès. Founded by Thierry Hermès in 1837, this French luxury house has become renowned for creating some of the most coveted handbags in the world that boast some of the highest long-term appreciation rates. Akin to the stars that wear them, Hermès bags have attained their own level of infamy as they've permeated every aspect of pop culture—from television shows like Sex and The City to music from Beyoncè. Since their release in 1922, these bags have become a status symbol as they often feature high price tags and long waitlists to secure them. It's no surprise, then, why we've seen so many stars, including Kim Kardashian, Cardi B, and Jennifer Lopez, feverously collect these bags. For many, these aren't just bags but Hermès bags. It's a distinction made through their impeccable quality and timeless silhouttes.
While pretty much every bag released from this luxury house has managed to become a coveted collector's item, one style that's been a recent favorite among the celeb set is the Kelly Cut Clutch. Far rarer than other popular Hermès styles, the clutch first debuted on the F/W 09 runway and is only reproduced in small batches. The former creative director, Jean-Paul Gaultier, created the style to reenvision the classic Kelly Bag as a compact rectangular clutch boasting the brand's signature turn-lock closure. The rarity of the bag itself, along with its rich history, has made the bag a recent favorite among the celeb set. Just in the past year alone, it's been spotted on the likes of Lori Harvey and Sofia Richie Grainge—a trend that will likely continue with other style icons. For so many, Hermès has always been the pinnacle of high fashion; this style's resurgence is just further proof of that.
What's another luxury brand that's a perennial part of celeb's closets? Gucci. Founded by Guccio Gucci in 1921, the Italian fashion house has captured the world's collective imagination through its innovative collections that blend tradition with modernity. It also doesn't hurt that this house has continually been a source of inspiration for blockbuster films and record-breaking hits! Nevertheless, what's cemented this luxury label into the zeitgeist isn't just its cultural cache or ready-to-wear collections; it's all about the bags. Since its first foray into the accessories market back in 1937, the brand's collection of handbags has served as a testament to its design prowess.
After all, this brand has been the powerhouse behind some of the most popular designer bags in recent memory, including GG Marmont and the Horsebit 1955. With such a long legacy of great handbags, it's no surprise that this house always turns to its archives to provide ample inspiration—such is the case with the F/W 23 collection. Between the shift between Alessandro Michele and Sabato De Sarno as the creative director, we saw the house's atelier look to another former legendary director for inspiration. Drawing from Tom Ford's F/W 03 and S/S 04 collections, they reenvisioned the iconic Gucci Horsebit clutch. While the silhouette remained the same along with its signature equestrian-inspired hardware, the bag was updated to come in a wider array of new colors, prints, and different types of leather. It exemplifies Gucci's ability to evolve while staying true to its heritage, making it a coveted accessory among celebrities like Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, and Miley Cyrus.
Not all luxury handbags have to cost you a large chunk of change. In fact, there's no shortage of brands beloved by the celeb set that fall within the contemporary price range—Brandon Blackwood being chief among them. Founded by the Brooklyn-born designer in 2015, the eponymous label has grown exponentially since its inception. Becoming a household name in its own right, the brand boasts fans like Kim Kardashian, Olivia Rodrigo, Quinta Brunson, Karrueche, and Normani. Of course, you can't deny that having a few celebs in the fan club can help you build a following, but that's not the only reason this Black-owned brand is so buzzy. One can attribute this indie label's success solely to Blackwood's dedication to thinking outside the box.
In the past few years alone, we've seen the luxury label expand from its roots as an accessory brand to a full-out label—with a foray into ready-to-wear, footwear, swimwear, and even eyewear. This ingenuity has kept the brand on the radar of so many (including stars). And while there's always an array of exciting new things coming out of this house, we'd be lying if we didn't say we still love the Kendrick Trunk Bag. Released back in 2021, the box-shaped clutch bag managed to not only attain cult status in a short amount of time but maintain it, too. The appeal surrounding this bag is quite simple: it has a compact shape with an attachable strap available in every possible material imaginable (e.g., stainless steel, rhinestones, pony hair, and satin, to name a few). It's these continued out-of-box adaptations to this bag that have made it a bag even Beyoncé herself would want to wear.
Were we to appoint one designer to lead a masterclass on what it takes to create an it-bag, it would be guided by Simon Porte Jacquemus. Although the Provence-born designer launched his namesake label at nineteen, he's built a cult following that includes stars, stylists, and even fashion editors (like myself). What sets this French luxury house apart from the rest is Porte's playful design perspective. Often reflected through deconstructed tailoring, sultry silhouttes, and unconventional materials; Porte has managed to build a fashion aesthetic that's truly his own. One which has become synonymous with crafting those "photo-ready vacation looks," as his collections often are inspired by sun-soaked destinations.
But, while his travel-inspired collections have made him a global phenomenon, his bags ultimately put him on the map. The viral mini bag Le Chiquito was the first Jacquemus bag met with critical acclaim. Considered avant-garde when released in the S/S 18 collection, its playful take on proportions made it one of the most coveted bags among celebrities. Though this bag still undoubtedly has a grip on the fashion girlies, there's a newer bag from the brand vying for the title: Le Bisou. Debuted on the S/S 23 runway, this bag melds art and fashion sublimely. Characterized by its experimental shape, the Le Bisou shoulder bag's silhouette is meant to mimic a pair of luscious lips while also being spacious enough to fit the essentials and easy to carry on the shoulder. If that weren't enough to make you lust after this bag, look at how stars like Kali Uchis and Emma Chamberlin are already donning the style. It may take a while for this bag to reach the massive levels of popularity that the mini Le Chiquito did, but you better believe it will.
Not every brand can maintain that "cool factor" for years, yet Khaite has managed to do just that. Founded by Catherine Holstein in 2016, the luxury label has become one of the most coveted brands among insiders in the past decade. Part of the appeal can be attributed to all the celebs who adopted the brand early on in its founding (e.g., Katie Holmes and Selena Gomez). But that's only a tiny sliver of what makes this label so damn exciting. In truth, this brand has excelled because of its understated approach to luxury. Never unapproachable, its ready-to-wear collections reimagine everyday staples like knitwear, denim, and outerwear to create a contemporary take on classic American sportswear. And while Khaite's ready-to-wear collections quickly gained the brand notoriety, its accessories aren't to be ignored.
We first saw Holstein make her foray into handbags, shoes, and belts during New York Fashion Week in 2019. Since then, the brand has released various accessories that have reached cult status, including the Olivia Hobo Bag. Released in S/S 22, the bag exemplifies the house's dedication to pragmatism without sacrificing style. Boasting a slouchy crescent-shaped silhouette with a spacious interior, the bag has come in iterations ranging from an oversized version that slings across the body in a supple suede to medium hand-held versions adorned with crystals. The bag's versatility (both in variations available and styling possibilities) has made it one of the most compelling luxury bags on the market. But if you're still not sold on the Olivia Hobo, consider all the style icons that have worn this bag—from Tracee Ellis Ross to Elsa Hosk. It's the only proof you need to know just how cool this bag continues to be.
Fashion isn't meant to be boring, or at least that's the approach Jonathan Anderson seemingly follows. Born in Northern Ireland, the London-based designer launched his namesake label in 2008 to critical acclaim within the industry. A part of the appeal of Anderson's works has to do with his playful approach to androgynous dressing—his work often acts as interpretations of masculinity and feminity through using artisanal techniques, touches of surrealism, and thought-provoking silhouttes. And while his menswear (and later womenswear) collections were what initially led to his meteoric rise, it's his accessories that have cemented him into the cultural canon. Originally launched in 2012, the brand's handbag offering, without a doubt, is the best embodiment of Anderson's commitment to creativity.
Over the years, the luxury label has released its fair share of bags that blew people's minds out of the gate. For example, in F/W 19, a bag shaped like a cap inevitably became a must-have in the street-style scene. More recently, the internet just about lost it when the brand debuted a like-like pigeon clutch in the F/W 22 collection. But possibly the best example of Anderson's penchant for the unconventional is the release of the Bumper Bag in 2022. Its rounded shape draws inspiration from inverted travel pillows, hence the padded tube lining surrounding the bag. While seemingly unconventional, the bag boasts a spacious interior and comes in various colorways, materials, and even sizes. This artful balance between functionality and fashion has made this bag a must-have in the minds of many stars. In the past year, we've seen a slew of celebrities wearing the Bumper Bag, including Dua Lipa, Gabrielle Union, Kylie Jenner, Rina Sawayama, and Naomi Campbell. If their wide adoption of this bag indicates anything, it's that JW Anderson's Bumper Bag knows that the girls want to have fun (with their fashion choices).
If you were to look up the definition of "quiet luxury" in a fashion dictionary, chances are you'd find something from The Row. Established by the Olsen twins in 2006, the luxury label has become renowned for its minimalist approach to womenswear and menswear. Although the brand airs on the side of austerity, that does not mean there aren't luxurious elements to be found. In fact, in the smaller details is where this brand's more sumptuous side shines—think: precise tailoring, decadent materials, and evergreen silhouttes. However, it's not just the ready-to-wear items that have this touch of luxury; the accessories do, too.
More specifically, The Row's handbag offering has become as beloved by insiders as the clothing. Launched back in 2011, the label's offering often consists of timeless styles that often exude an aura of discreet luxury, the Margaux Tote being a prime example. The functional (yet fashionable) carryall debuted in 2018 but has remained relevant because of its clean-cut lines, spacious interior, and subtle logo embossing. Its timeless nature isn't something that's been lost on the celebrity set either; we've seen everyone from Jennifer Lawerence to Kendall Jenner carrying it recently. And while some might think that luxury is solely for the famous, the entire ethos of this bag tells us otherwise. Luxury lies in the details; it's not about buying some over-the-top bag but, rather, one you can wear for a lifetime. The Row's Margaux tote bag happens to fit that bill.
from Who What Wear