The Diorama shoulder bag gets a couture update with a velvet monogram pattern and strass studs. Pair it with bijoux from the Archi Dior line featuring gold sculpted into organic forms – an abstract take on the brand’s Cocotte houndstooth dress and Milieu du Siecle ready-to-wear line from the 1940s.

Diorama leather and velvet shoulder bag with crystals, Archi Dior Milieu du Siecle 18K white gold ear studs with diamonds, (on right hand) matching 18K pink gold rings with diamonds, (on left hand) matching 18K white gold ring with diamonds, Archi Dior Cocotte 18K white gold ring with diamonds, La Mini D de Dior Satine steel watches with diamonds, and silk dress, Dior. Metal brooches with crystal, resin and glass pearls, and Camelia leather brooch (worn throughout in hair), Chanel

Gucci updates the Marmont shoulder bag with its softest construction yet in quilted calfskin and velvet. A similar delicate touch runs through Chopard’s diamond and emerald pieces, like this lace-like bracelet and tutu-inspired watch.

GG Marmont leather shoulder bag, and silk crepe dress with mink fur, crystals, glass pearls and beads, Gucci. Temptations 18K white gold drop earrings with topazes, tourmalines and diamonds, Precious Chopard 18K white gold watch with diamonds and emeralds on alligator skin strap, and High Jewellery platinum bracelet with emeralds and diamonds, Chopard

Coach gives its Saddle bag a pretty-meets-edgy facelift with hand-applied glass pearls and gunmetal rivets. Meanwhile, Bulgari ups the facets on the gems in its serpent-inspired Eyes On Me line for added depth. The snake scale motif also gets a graphic update with bevelled edges and a skeletonised construction.

1941 Western Rivets Saddle bag in suede, shearling coat and silk dress, Coach. Eyes On Me 18K white gold drop earrings with emeralds and diamonds, matching bracelet, matching 18K pink gold rings with amethysts, rubellites and diamonds, and Serpenti Incantati 18K white gold watch with diamonds on satin strap, Bulgari

Prada’s Cahier shoulder bag comes adorned with moon and star hardware in a special antique finish for some vintage charm. Also channelling old-world romance: Piaget’s Rose Passion line with the likes of baguette-cut stones set in the ’60s petticoat-style technique to enhance depth and lustre.

Cahier leather shoulder bag, wool corset, silk jacquard shirt, nylon-blend tank top, and matching skirt, Prada. Rose Passion 18K white gold chandelier earrings with garnets, sapphires, aquamarines, tourmalines, rubellites and diamonds, matching strand necklace with aquamarines, emeralds, tourmalines, emeralds, diamonds and chalcedonies, and Limelight High Jewellery 18K white gold secret watch with diamonds, Piaget

See: How to make your Prada bag even cooler

Details matter. Givenchy’s architectural Mini Horizon tote comes with specially plated studs on the base to protect the grained leather from wear and tear. Damiani melds ergonomics and artisanal jewellery-making to create pieces that rest comfortably despite their sculptural heft.

Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci Mini Horizon leather tote bag, cotton-blend bodysuit and silk-crepe bermudas, Givenchy. Masterpiece Swan 18K white gold earrings with peridots, Intrique 18K white gold necklace with diamonds, (on right hand) Peacock 18K white gold cuff with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds, Masterpiece Swan 18K white gold ring with diamonds and peridot, (on left hand) Mimosa Arlecchino 18K white gold ring with rubies, sapphires and emeralds, and Eden 18K pink gold watch with diamonds on matching bracelet, Damiani

Bottega Veneta debuts a youthful mini cross-body made up of two pouches sewn together, complete with its signature Intrecciato weave. The tactile factor is also on Van Cleef & Arpels’ Bouton d’or pieces that feature paillettes of rare chrysoprase stone, onyx and yellow gold that vibrate gently with movement.

Nappa leather shoulder bag, tweed coat with shearling, and matching slip dress, Bottega Veneta. Bouton d’or 18K yellow gold drop earrings with onyxes, chrysoprases and diamonds, matching necklace, bracelet and ring, and Cadenas 18K yellow gold watch with diamonds on matching bracelet, Van Cleef & Arpels

How’s this for flair? The precise laser-cut mesh on the flap of Furla’s Metropolis bag is meant to recall the arches in Moorish architecture. Meanwhile, Pomellato’s candy-hued ceramic cabochons boast sensuous curves a la Fernando Botero’s sculptures.

Metropolis Bolero leather shoulder bag, Furla. Capri 18K rose gold drop earrings with ceramic and amethysts, (on right hand) Tango 18K rose gold bracelets with emeralds and sapphires, matching ring with sapphires, spinels and rubies, Capri 18K rose gold ring with ceramic and amethysts, and (on left hand) Tango 18K rose gold bracelet with sapphires, Pomellato. Silk dress and matching shirt, Kate Spade New York

A nod to Chanel’s couture atelier, this novelty bag is moulded from black resin and covered in gold thread to resemble a gilded bobbin. Equally showstopping: the XL Japanese cultured pearls and statement gems like the 13.66-carat tanzanite (on necklace) from the brand’s Les Talismans high jewellery line.

Resin and golden thread minaudiere, silk shirt, tweed cardigan, and matching pencil skirt, Chanel. Charismatique 18K white gold necklace with pearls, sapphires, diamonds and tanzanite, (on right hand) Bouton de Camelia 18K white gold watch with diamonds, Envoutante 18K white gold ring with diamonds, Hypnotique 18K white gold ring with lacquer, diamonds and tanzanite, and (on left hand) Solaire 18K yellow gold cuff with diamonds, Chanel Fine Jewellery

Mulberry’s compact Clifton shoulder bag conceals three zipped compartments. Contrast its clever simplicity with Tiffany & Co.’s colourful, estate-worthy designs inspired by the works of its legendary designer Jean Schlumberger.

Clifton leather shoulder bag, Mulberry. (On right hand) Tiffany Cocktail 2-Hand Pave 18K rose gold watch with diamonds on satin strap, platinum rings with aquamarine, tanzanite and diamonds, (on left hand) Schlumberger Dot Losange 18K yellow gold ring and bracelet with enamel, Schlumberger Croisillon 18K yellow gold ring with enamel, platinum ring with green tourmaline and diamonds, and Schlumberger 18K yellow gold and platinum bracelet with enamel, Tiffany & Co. Wool corset, Prada. Silk tunic dress, Celine. Michael Kors Collection fox fur stole, Michael Kors

See: How creative director Johnny Coca is remaking Mulberry one hit bag at a time

Nature turns up some great inspirations. Longchamp’s plush Le Pliage Heritage features calfhair printed with an abstract animal print, then trimmed in smooth leather. Boucheron’s Bestiary collection boasts miniature animal sculptures, each crafted using traditional Place Vendome jewellery techniques like camaieu pave that gives stones a vivid quality.

Le Pliage Heritage calfhair and leather shoulder bag, Longchamp. (On right hand) Cameleon 18K white gold ring with tsavorites, sapphires and rubies, (on left hand) Hathi The Elephant 18K pink gold ring with sapphires, rubies and diamonds, Hopi The Hummingbird 18K white gold ring with sapphires, emeralds and diamonds, Ajouree Hopi Diamond 18K pink and white gold watch with sapphires and diamonds on satin strap, and Thalie 18K white gold bracelet with diamonds and sapphires, Boucheron. Michael Kors Collection silk and tulle shirt dress with ostrich feathers, Michael Kors

Photography Jasper Yu Styling Imran Jalal Photography Assistant Sherman See-Toh Styling Assistant Sapphire Chin Hair Manisa Tan/Paletteinc, using La Biosthetique Makeup Ng Hui Min/Paletteinc, using Nars Models Carina & Kate/Mannequin

An adapted version first appeared in Female’s October 2016 issue. 

Like this? Check out the best handbags from Fall/Winter 2016, why a statement necklace is your must-have accessory for Fall,and the coolest patent leather shoes & bags to add to your wardrobe.