There’s an untold number of handbag brands in the world, but a couple dozen get the lion’s share of the attention. Fashion is, in large part, a status game, and for many people, having a recognizable bag is part of the allure. For others, though, seeing the same bag too frequently can get boring, and curiosity starts to set in. Today, we’re here to help.
Below, we’ve selected five brands that are growing in popularity but not yet ubiquitous among the handbag set. They range from a rising start in the contemporary category whose leather bags are under $400, all the way up to an Hermès-level handbag atelier that will set you back somewhere in the mid-four figures. If you need something new to look at, look no further.
Michino
Shop Michino Bags via Moda Operandi
Michino was founded in Paris in 2014 by Japanese designer Yasu Michino, who has worked at Givenchy, Saint Laurent and Delvaux, among other storied leather goods houses. The bags are colorful and modern, without losing their everyday usefulness or sense of sophistication.
Off-White
Shop Off-White Bags via Net-a-Porter
Milan-based Off-White is the brainchild of Virgil Abloh, who is Kanye West’s longtime creative director. Off-White is already a streetwear mainstay, especially in men’s fashion circles, and in the last few seasons, the line’s profile has quickly risen in the world of womenswear. Off-White has only been in the handbag market for a couple of seasons, but the brand’s Binder Clip bags became a mainstay of the street style set almost immediately upon launch.
Serapian
Shop Sarapian Bags via Nordstrom
Serapian was founded in Milan in 1945, and the brand’s sleek, simple bags—they’re particularly great for office use—are still made in Italy of Italian leather. The brand also makes a full men’s line.
STAUD
Shop STAUD Bags via Net-a-Porter
STAUD was founded in LA in 2015 by designer Sarah Staudinger, who formerly headed up design at popular California-cool brand Reformation. If you like that line, you’ll probably also find a lot to love about STAUD: the brand traffics in cool, casual clothes with trendy touches that don’t overwhelm, in addition to sleek accessories, all at a contemporary price point.
Moynat
Shop Moynat Bags via Barneys
We’ve written a primer on Moynat in the past, but the French brand was founded in 1849 and revived in 2011, and it uses fine leathers and craftsmanship that put it on par with the most elite workshops in the industry. If you’re an Hermès fan who’s feeling a little over-exposed, Moynat just might be where your next bag comes from.
