The 6 Cult Handbag Brands You Need to Know Now

When it comes to handbags, we all know who the reigning kings and queens of the market are. As much fun as it is to check out new collections from big brands and gush over longtime favorites, we also believe in keeping a watchful eye on what’s next. In recent years, independent designers like Mansur Gavriel and Edie Parker have risen quickly from relative obscurity, and we’ve got some ideas about what the next brands to have that kind of impact might be.

Elena Ghisellini
Shop the Brand Now via Moda Operandi

Genoa-born Elena Ghisellini has worked on accessories for everyone from Ferragamo to Givenchy, and the current head of accessories at Emilio Pucci now designs for herself, too. Her bags are made in her home country of Italy, and they’ve got all of the fine leathers and exacting craftsmanship that go along with the country’s traditions. The designer also describes her bags as “sensual,” which you can see here and there in her embrace of curves.

Gabria Tote, $1,775 via Moda Operandi
Fatale Python Clutch, $1,195 via Saks
Petra P Chevron Clutch, $995 via Saks

Les Petits Joueurs
Shop the Brand Now via LUISAVIAROMA

Italian-born, Brazil-based designer Mariasole Cecchi started out by rendering cute little party bags in actual Lego blocks; her fashionable friends liked them so much that she now has a full-fledged brand. The bags are a favorite of street style stars for their particular brand of eye-catching cuteness. Bonus: they’re all still made by hand.

Grace Wow Lego Clutch, $676 via LUISAVIAROMA
Andy Piano Lego Clutch, $825 via LUISAVIAROMA
Freddy Panda Lego Backpack, $1,048 via LUISAVIAROMA

M2MALLETIER
Shop the Brand Now via Net-a-Porter

M2Malletier bags are designed by Melissa Losada and Marcela Velez, who now run their studio out of Barcelona after meeting while students at Parsons in NYC. The two young designers combine minimalism and surrealism to create their signature aesthetic, which has roots in interior design and architecture. Although the brand launched its first collection in 2012, the clean-lined little bags with signature gold top handles quickly became a favorite among fashion insiders.

M2MALLETIER Amor Fati Bag, $1,885 via Net-a-Porter
M2MALLETIER Fleur du Mal Python Bag, $2,475 via Net-a-Porter
M2MALLETIER Fabricca Clutch, $1,290 via Net-a-Porter

Moynat

Moynat is, quite frankly, the most elusive brand we’ve tried to pin down in quite a long time. The French house dates back to five years before Louis Vuitton, and its only boutiques are in London and Paris. (As you might guess, Moynat does not sell its bags online; its website is about as bare-bones as a luxury site can get, although it does provide a gallery of bags.) The brand is a bit of an Hermès/Goyard hybrid in that it offers both traditional, finely executed bags in solid leathers and exotics, as well as basic models and trunks in a signature print.

This brand is unlike the others in that it’s not new, but because customers at the top tier of the market are always looking for the next ultra-exclusive find, expect Moynat to become much more widely buzzed about this year. Sadly, price information is incredibly scarce. The most recent price we could find was for the brand’s Petite Réjane, one of its most popular bags, at the brand’s London boutique: £3,120, or approximately $4,664.

Petite Réjane and Rejane Bags
Paradis Top Handle Bag
Cabotin Top Handle Bag

Myriam Schaefer
Shop the Brand Now via MATCHESFASHION.COM

Myriam Schaefer was the accessory designer behind the iconic Motorcycle Bag during Nicolas Ghesquiere’s days at Balenciaga, and now she’s out on her own. Schaefer appears to do few interviews, and her brand website lacks a brand story or history, but we do know that they’re made in Italy and available through a few third-party stores.

Dino Bucket Bag, $4,886 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Mini Byron Crossbody Bag, $4,218 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
James Satin and Croc Crossbody Bag, $3,491 via MATCHESFASHION.COM

Paula Cademartori
Shop the Brand Now via MATCHESFASHION.COM

Paula Cademartori moved to Italy from her native Brazil to finish her fashion education, and after a stint working at Versace, she struck out on her own. The brand’s signature metal buckle is a nod to Cademartori’s history with jewelry design, and now that the brand’s bags have a solid foothold among fashion insiders, Cademartori is branching out to footwear.

Faye Bag, $2,410 via Net-a-Porter
Sylvie Clutch, $1,594 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Alice Shoulder bag, $1,915 via MATCHESFASHION.COM