Balmain’s Pre-Fall 2025 Bags Deserve Some Attention

The handbag world is dominated by a specific cohort of luxury bags (think Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Loewe, etc.). Every few years, the trend cycle thrusts certain brands into the limelight while others become less desirable than they have been in years past.

Still, there are those outlier brands that we sometimes forget make bags! Maybe they’re a bit underrated, maybe they’re not mainstream, or maybe we simply don’t cover them as much as we should. Balmain is one of those brands we don’t cover often but should, and its Pre-Fall 2025 collection is the perfect place to start.

Pre-fall collections are typically presented in a lookbook format, with editors and buyers visiting showrooms to see the collection on model and in person. They serve as a precursor to a brand’s larger fall collection.

An Eye-Catching Array

Designer and creative director Oliver Rousteing has been at the brand’s helm for 15 years, and his distinct, couture-like vision is one of the most beloved in the industry. Still, its bags are not the focal point, but that’s about to change, with an array of new bags launching next year.

While ready-to-wear is distinctly Parisian, referencing both the 1940s and 1970s with a hint of modernism, bags feel entirely fresh. There is a larger tote that comes cinched with a thin leather buckle, which is the shape that first caught my eye, clutches with exaggerated buckles, lots of leopards, chains, and more.

The bags themselves are anything but understated and will entice quite a specific clientele. In the era of quiet luxury, it’s time we returned to the fun side of fashion, and these bags do just that. View more below.

images via Vogue Runway