Above: a bag on the runway at Chanel spring/summer ’26.
The long-discussed spring/summer ’26 runway season—writ large with changes, including over a dozen creative director appointments at fashion houses—is only just now arriving in stores.
Anyone on fashion TikTok might be acutely aware, for the platform has been inundated with users posting ‘unboxing’ videos of new shoes, and handbags from Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel, seen by millions of people. Handbags have always been popular. But this time the buzz is largely driven by how new creative directors—including Blazy, Jonathan Andersion at Dior, Demna at Gucci, Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta and Michael Rider at Celine—will introduce bags that excite in the present moment, and also have staying power.
Though the fascination surrounding handbags feels new, they also remain one of the most competitive categories in fashion. Per consulting and strategy company McKinsey, one in five Australians intend to still splurge on accessories, despite economic headwinds and the rising prices of luxury. “The global handbag category is projected to grow at around six per cent annually through 2028, reinforcing its position as one of fashion’s most resilient segments,” says Amanda Winchester, partner and consumer expert at McKinsey.
It’s hard to name a handbag an ‘investment’ piece before it’s had time to prove itself on the resale market, as in the case of an Hermès Birkin or a Chanel 2.55. But the new guard of handbags from houses seem to prioritise timelessness over gimmicks and following trends; look at Dior’s Cigale, or Loewe’s Amazona 180, for proof. As such, it’s easy to see their appeal lasting much longer, rendering each one immune to trend fatigue. Below, see the key handbags introduced by new creative directors at a fashion house during spring/summer ’26, and the stories behind each one.