The start of August means the Fall/Winter season is upon us – and that also requires getting up to speed with the must-have bag styles of the new fashion season. Whether you’re someone who swears by a particular bag silhouette, or prefers to have an array for every occasion, the seasonal debuts span a wide variety from classic styles such as slim shoulder bags to trendy mini bags. Meanwhile, new colourways and iterations of fan favourites are also being released for the new season. Below, a look at what are up for grabs.
The now-classic Balenciaga hourglass bag, which launched in 2019, gets a larger, softer reiteration in the Crush Bag. First appearing on the Winter 2022 runway, the Crush Bag follows its predecessor in curved base, but is purposely deconstructed, with visible scrunches along the bag’s smooth leather material that resemble crumpled paper. Its rustic metal chain (available in both gold and silver hardware) can be adjusted to be worn long or short. The Crush Bag is available in black, white, sweet pink, bright green, and metallic silver, in small, medium, or large sizes.
Bottega Veneta has never been one to shy away from exquisitely-shaped bags made from its signature intrecciato weave – just look at the Mini Jodie bag shoulder bag which is taking the bag world by storm. The Fall/Winter 2022 season welcomes the Kalimero, a bucket-shaped style with an open top and a detachable drawstring pouch. The bag sports the usual intrecciato weave using thick, cushiony leather mimicking a basket, a single shoulder strap looped through a metallic ring to secure.
Gems and watches aren’t the only thing the jewellery house is good for – Cartier’s bag of the season is equal parts impeccable leather work and jewellery-making savoir-faire. The Panthere de Cartier is a rounded shoulder bag made from soft-to-touch grained leather and christened after the jewellery and watch lines of the same name. At first glance, it’s an elegant and versatile bag for any occasion, but the standout piece sits on the bag flap – an angular gold metal panther head clasp, which is the emblematic animal of the house. The Panthere de Cartier is available in red, black, nude, and teal, in both small and mini sizes.
Known for classic minimalism, Celine’s newest key bag, the Matelasse Monochrome, is a more playful, pillowy shoulder bag than the usual fare produced by the brand. Clock the square chocolate bar-like quilting against smooth goatskin and the chunky metal ‘CELINE’ lettering stripped across the bag flap which matches the hardware of its oversized chain belt. The bag will launch in stores and online in early Sep, and will be available in a shiny black and beige nude.
Chanel’s been in the bag business long enough to have an impressive repertoire under its belt, from minaudieres to the ever-lasting signature Classic Handbag. For Fall/Winter 2022, it is growing that department with a small square-shaped bag made from tweed. Leather outlines the bag and makes up the structured top handle and slim chain so the bag can be hand carried as a miniature briefcase or crossbody. And calling to mind the current vintage craze, peep the lock harware and tag on this square flap bag which comes with an aged gold finish. This flap bag comes in black, white with black stitching, black with white stitching – all tweed, of course, in line with this year’s Chanel Fall/Winter theme.
With a name like Dior Essential, this bag is Dior’s take on the humble tote (aside of course, from the classic Dior book tote). Its shiny leather material is ingrained with a blown-up version of the Lady Dior quilting, while the two slim leather and chain handles allows you to carry this bag by hand or slung onto the shoulder. The bag will be launched from Sept and is available in small and medium, in black and hazelnut colours.
When Delfina Delettrez Fendi, daughter of Baguette bag designer Silvia Venturini Fendi, released her collection of Fendi O’Lock jewellery for Fall/Winter 2021, the brand quickly came out with O’Lock inspired accessories. For Fall/Winter 2022, the rounded FF logo takes centrestage on the Fendi O’Lock Swing, a pouch-sized crescent-shaped bag, designed with an O’Lock chain link strap in alternating gold hardware and tortoise shell. Referencing the brand’s affinity for furs and fur accessories, there are also fox fur-lined version of this bag. The Fendi O’Lock is now available in stores and online at Fendi.com.
Yes, Givenchy already has a hobo bag in the mix (cue the Small Hobo, a cute crescent-shaped shoulder bag) – but that is not like this one launching for this Fall/Winter season. The New Hobo – as it’s called – is a jumbo-sized softly constructed design with a cinched centre that is decorated with a silver or gold Givenchy lock hardware. It is available in large and medium and in a choice of black, red, green, and white.
Seventy-five years after its original debut, the Gucci Bamboo bag is sporting its most rock ‘n’ roll version yet. For the Exquisite Gucci collection, it gets a re-release with punked-up versions that include an all-black smooth bamboo handle and a studded bodice with “GUCCI” lettering in metallic beads. The bag is available in small and medium sizes, with a detachable strap.
Hermes’ Fall/Winter 2022 kicks off with a curation of items from its Objects Collection, a seasonal catalogue of accessories. There’s plenty of quirky bags to look out for in this collection this time around, but the piece de resistance is this deconstructed Kelly bag. Titled The Kelly II Sellier, the style boasts the coveted bag’s iconic trapezoidal silhouette, while placing an asymmetrical lock that slants down.
For Fall/Winter 2022, Loewe’s creative director JW Anderson scales back the size of the house’s classic Amazona to just 16cm in width (and thus, the Amazona 16 was born). The mini bag is crafted for only essential items, with rounded edges in smooth nappa calfskin – ideal for women who are constantly on-the-go. The bag comes with a thick jacquard strap and an engraved lock and key, and welcomes new colours such as bright orange and avocado green. It is now available in stores and online at Loewe.com.
Released during the Spring 2021 season, Louis Vuitton’s Coussin BB bag was a fun addition to the French Maison’s bag lineup – a padded, accordion-style bag with a texture that takes after its name (coussin translates to “cushion” in English). Flash forward to Fall/Winter 2022, and the latest iteration of the Coussin BB comes in an eclectic and vibrant array of colours and patterns, like this floral-print and white design: a monogram blankets the Coussin, outlined using Swarovski crystals. The Coussin BB is available in stores and online at ap.louisvuitton.com.
Miu Miu strays away from its well-loved quilted Miu Wander mini bags to make room for an edgier style that debuted on its Fall/Winter 2022 runway. The clutch-style design is made from distressed leather and purposely worn hardware (read: designed like a bag that’s been well-loved throughout the years). Its collapsible body means you can also stuff as many items as necessary.
Business chic (along with elements of embellished skirts and tops) reigns supreme at Prada for Fall/Winter 2022 – and its star bag of the season perfectly embodies that memo. Brushed leather – a frequently-used material f0r Prada bags – with darkened edges emphasises its structured shape and gives off the impression of well-aged leather. The design comes in green, pink, black and tan and is now available in stores and online at prada.com.
Glamorous shoes aren’t the only thing Roger Vivier can offer – because what’s the point if there’s no matching accessories to go with it? The Viv Choc Mini Jewel Bag serves as both a clutch and evening shoulder bag with a thin silver chain. Topping it all off is an oversized version of the house’s buckle, adorned with crystals for extra shine. Fans of colour will be glad to know that the bag is available in bright yellow, midnight blue, pink, nude, black and green.
Vanity bags might have spawned from the need to travel with countless makeup products, but now they’re just plain fashionable. Saint Laurent’s version is the June Box bag which hits shelves in Sep. The brand sticks to its chic formula by using sleek black leather with a diamond cross-stitch for the bag upper. The gold ‘YSL’ lettering serves as the opening buckle to the envelope-shaped flap.
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