Say it loud: bold bags to shop this season

A jewel of Sculpted Icons: Handbags From the Vault of a Discerning Collector, Hermès’s timeless Kelly 25 gets a vibrant revamp in bright orange accented by white gold and diamond hardware. In a style renowned for its structured silhouette and meticulous craftsmanship, this bag features lustrous Porosus crocodile leather that lends an added vibrancy, ideal for the collector who dares to stand out.

The multidisciplinary artist Hong Hao reimagined the iconic Lady Dior bag for the house’s celebrated Dior Lady Art collection in 2017. Bedecked in sequins, buttons and beads, this mini bag transforms ordinary objects into glamorous glitz with a pop of playfulness.

Haute couture gets a whimsical spin with this metallic calfskin bag from Schiaparelli. The trompe l’oeil face of hammered golden brass is dusted with crystals and pearls, a striking reflection of Creative Director Daniel Roseberry's reinterpretation of Schiaparelli’s longstanding Surrealist vision.

Originally introduced as a limited-edition art piece, the miniature Sterling Silver Kelly bag is handcrafted entirely from Mexican silver. A sought-after showstopper, this jewel of a bag retains the Kelly’s signature shape through intricate metalwork crafted by renowned silversmiths.   

Though mini, this packs a mighty punch with a bold design rendered in sequins and glitter. The splashy pink and blue pattern reimagines the classic Chanel Flap Bag first introduced by Coco Chanel in 1955. Now one of the most recognisable designs in luxury, this bag takes Parisian chic to new heights.  

Swing into summer with this Kelly Danse Anate from Hermès. There’s nothing traditional about the cool craftsmanship of this limited-edition spin on the original Kelly Danse, handmade from supple Swift leather in a daring green. With its elegant gold hardware and dynamic detailing, this bag redefines fringe.

Affixing Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram to Yayoi Kusama’s signature pumpkin form, this leather shoulder bag is vivid and sculptural — a wearable work of art.

Sporting the elusive horseshoe stamp found only on custom-made Hermès bags, this Birkin is as rare as it is bold. These bespoke pieces, known as HSS bags, are offered only to a select number of top collectors each year. This example dazzles in lipstick pink, iris and light blue, showing off the house’s meticulous dyeing processes in a kaleidoscope of colours.

The French artist Morgane Tschiember is known for her innovative use of materials. Here, she turns a Lady Dior handbag into a sculptural masterpiece, wrapped in knotted ropes that invoke the Japanese practice of shibari.

This rare limited-edition Micro Picotin 14 is a masterclass in intricate artistry. The petrol-blue Niloticus lizard exterior is richly embellished with hand-applied beading. Inspired by equestrian feed bags, the Picotin’s minimalist silhouette is dramatically refashioned through textured materials and meticulous detailing. 

Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collection showcases the specialist workshops that the fashion house regularly collaborates with. This Paris–Salzburg Medium Boy Bag is crafted in sumptuous black velvet, it is intricately embellished with chains, beads, crystal, fur and pearl details. A feat of artisanal luxury, this limited-edition piece celebrates Chanel’s partner ateliers while bringing a dash of whimsy to the traditional black bag.

A vibrant tribute to movement, music and craftsmanship, the limited-edition Madison 706 Kelly 25 celebrates the 2022 opening of the Hermès flagship store at 706 Madison Avenue in New York City. The artist Geoff McFetridge’s Hommage à Gene Kelly dances against a background of electric blue Swift leather in tableau created through expert marquetry.