A sleek handbag has the power to elevate any outfit – throw it on over a plain white T-shirt or lived-in pair of jeans and watch everyday basics become runway-ready. And these days, thanks to a new class of contemporary bag brands, this elevation has never been more achievable. From DeMellier and Ganni, to Neous and Savette, a healthy mix of well-established and emerging labels are finding cult status amongst a style-conscious audience.
What do each of these contemporary bag brands have in common? All are designed to stand the test of time. Each brand is committed to crafting sensible and stylish pieces meant for daily life and everyday wear, blending in beautifully with your other wardrobe essentials.
In fact, a pared-down handbag from the likes of Toteme or Polène has become something of a status symbol of late – a non-trend trend, if you will. Other anonymous It-bags can be found at Liffner, JW Anderson and Acne studios, while trend-forward styles come courtesy of Staud and Mansur Gavriel – both of which have put the moon bag back on the map.
Read on to read more about the bag brands that fall into this new class of contemporary – makers of designs that will become the centrepiece of your wardrobe.
Dragon Diffusion
Dragon Diffusion specialises in capacious basket bags, which are well worthy of use all year round. Each of its handwoven bags is meant to make a subtle, sustainable statement. Coming in an array of neutral colourways, a Dragon Diffusion tote is a certified staple.
Staud
There’s no denying the appeal of Sarah Staudinger’s designs, whether it’s her cult ready-to-wear collections or her eye-catching handbag selection. When it comes to the brand’s bags, each one reflects the latest trends. Our favourites include: the modern moon bags and slouchy suede tote bag silhouettes.
JW Anderson
Jonathan Anderson crafted countless It-bags during his tenure at Loewe – including the cult Puzzle – and his penchant for great accessories has continued for his new chapter at Dior. His eponymous brand also counts several covetable styles in its arsenal: there’s the Bumper, a curvaceous, colourful shoulder bag, and the recently introduced Loafer, a bag that’s designed in the spirit of a penny loafer shoe, with an upper shaped liked a penny keeper, a bottom part that echoes a sole and a handle that emulates the welt.
Ganni
Known and loved for its statement prints and contemporary designs, Ganni never fails to create high-quality, unique pieces. The Bou bag is testament to Ganni’s impressive ability to modernise and elevate classic styles, resulting in bags that work just as well for everyday as for special occasions. As well as the original east-west style, there’s also a Bou in the form of a bucket bag – perfect for your day to day.
DeMellier
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Founded by Mireia Llusia-Lindh, DeMellier London is committed to doing things differently. Each bag is crafted ethically and sustainably in Italy or Spain and sourced with the highest quality materials. The result? Effortlessly elegant handbags that will whisper “chic” wherever you take them.
Neous is known for its minimalist approach to both bags and footwear. Handcrafted in Italy, each handbag comes in unique silhouettes inspired by modern art. Its classic Phoenix shoulder bag is a standout.
Savette
Founded by designer Amy Zurek, Savette honours traditional leather craftsmanship achieved in a more modern manner. Each handbag is made with longevity in mind – the intention being to pass it down from generation to generation.
Acne Studios
Scandi fashion brand Acne Studios is renowned for its directional approach to ready-to-wear – a mood that carries through to its handbag range. A scroll through its site reveals an abundance of offbeat styles, including a bow-adorned multi-pocket design, a slouchy zipped camera bag with a key charm, and the slightly less outré Musubi bag, which comes in a range of colourways, finishes and sizes.
Toteme
Toteme founders Elin Kling and Karl Lindman (partners in life and work), have built a brand centred around minimalism; focused on pared-back silhouettes, clean lines and timeless appeal. The label has multiple bags in its range, but the T-Lock – a rigid pouch with a slightly arched upper and top handle, stamped with a “T” emblem at its centre – has won over celebrities and the street-style set alike. “The goal was to create a 360 world,” Lindman previously told Vogue of their holistic approach. “It’s so important to always go back to what we like ourselves and our reason to exist. [Toteme] needs to provide something that we love, down to every single detail. What we really believe in and want to put out there.”
Liffner
With a “less is more” mantra, Liffner’s minimalist designs reflect the brand’s Scandinavian roots. Its bags are perfectly playful, featuring delightful details like sculptural shapes and macaroni hardware. To tote a Liffner handbag is to make a subtle yet striking statement.
Mansur Gavriel
Few contemporary brands have had such an immediate impact as Mansur Gavriel. Since launching with its now-iconic bucket bag, the label has remained a go-to choice for minimalist bag enthusiasts. Expect clean shapes, rich hues and an emphasis on wearability.
Strathberry
Strathberry’s signature metal bar detailing has become a calling card for the Edinburgh-based brand. Inspired by the founder’s Scottish heritage, its handbags feel polished yet made for everyday wear. Often spotted on royalty and celebrities, Strathberry tempers classic design with modern hardware.
Verafied
New York-based brand Verafied has been a viral hit over the past few months. Its bags are known for their refreshingly unfussy and sleek designs, many of which are inspired by vintage bags from the 1920s and 1950s. “Functionality is always central to my design process,” founder, Vera C. Wang, tells Vogue. “I want to create pieces that feel distinctive, purposeful, and timeless.” Some of the bigger bags in the collection feature a hidden waterproof compartment at the base, perfect for storing shoes, gym wear, or tech essentials.
Manu Atelier
Founded in Istanbul by two sisters, Manu Atelier combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes. Each bag is handmade using fine leather, and the vast collection includes structured top-handle bags and sleek shoulder styles, many of which bear a trending buckle. This is the brand for modern classics with a twist.
J&M Davidson
A long-standing favourite among fashion insiders, J&M Davidson is best known for its impeccable leather quality. The British brand blends heritage techniques with modern sensibilities, producing handbags that feel both playful and enduring. These are investment pieces that remain relevant year after year.
Coach
Over the past few months, It-girls everywhere have thrown their support behind Coach’s expansive handbag lineup. The boxy, TikTok-viral Tabby has become a favourite of Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski and Elle Fanning, while the slouchy Brooklyn hobo was a summer hit. Founded in New York in 1941 as a family-run leather workshop, Coach’s heritage-meets-cool revival is clearly striking a chord with today’s style set.
A.P.C.
A.P.C.’s approach to accessories mirrors its ready-to-wear ethos: unfussy, functional, yet undeniably chic. Its handbags favour clean lines, muted tones and subtle branding, making them ideal everyday companions. From structured crossbody styles to classic denim totes, these are bags designed to slot seamlessly into a minimalist’s wardrobe.
Chylak
Polish brand Chylak has built a loyal following thanks to its unexpected silhouettes and meticulous craftsmanship. For the brand’s founder, Zofia Chylak, “it’s not just about the product – it is about telling a story. A story rooted in Polish heritage and inspirations, in the artisans and artists who preserve customs that are all too easily forgotten today,” she tells Vogue. Produced locally using premium Italian leather, each bag feels thoughtful and deliberate, with an intricate piece of hardware or a unique leather finish.
Completedworks
Completedworks brings an artful sensibility to the world of handbags. Known for its sculptural approach to accessories, the brand creates pieces that feel like wearable objects. Soft leathers are twisted, folded and knotted into distinctive forms, and decorated with bows that echo the brand’s beloved jewellery line. “Completedworks bags are a natural continuation of our core body of work, translating our long-standing exploration of folds, knots and crumples directly into leather,” founder Anna Jewsbury tells Vogue. “Each piece balances sculptural intention with playful signatures.”
Polène
Paris-based Polène has surged in popularity over the past few months. Founded in 2016 by three siblings, the brand’s bags are known for their architectural shapes and buttery-smooth leather finishes. Styles like the Numéro Un bag, the Cyme tote, the Numéro Dix bag and the sculptural Numéro Neuf feel instantly recognisable yet quietly understated – the kind of bags that work just as well with tailoring as they do with denim.
