Arm candies of the moment

The best films are something that you watched so many times and yet still able to surprise you with some of its elements—or at least made you think and dig deeper about a scene. One of the movies that never failed to grab the attention of fashion savants is the 2006 flick “The Devil Wears Prada.” Sure, there’s the iconic Miranda Priestly monologue, Andy’s uber-chic “Vogue” montage, and the hunt for the impossible “Harry Potter” manuscript. But what we think is the underdog scene of the movie is Andy’s chat with her friends about accessories. 

In the scene, she and her friends were debating about women’s obsession with handbags. While it can be settled with the thought of bags looking beautiful, Andy’s friend, Doug, gave a deeper analysis of why these handbags, and other pieces of accessories, is beyond just something one uses or wears. According to him, “an accessory is merely a piece of iconography used to express individual identity.” More than a tool for self-expression, we can agree (or disagree) that they are also works of art made by the hands of skilled artisans, who have given years to perfect their craft. 

That artistic sense in handbags continues today. And while others can relate with Andy’s boyfriend Nate that a bag is an item that you put your stuff in it, nothing would compare to having a piece of art as part of your daily look. Below are some of the latest luxury handbags hitting the shelves. Although many brands are playing with trends in their latest releases, these are some examples of how design can be a tool not just for personal style but keeping heritage and legacy alive.

Tiny silhouette, big impact 

Mini bags continue to dominate many fashion houses’ bag releases. While they are minute in scale, they are one of the perfect finishing touches that could elevate a look. Italian luxury label Furla introduces its latest mini bags. Straight from its fall-winter 2022 collection is the Furla 1927 Soft, where the brand reimagines its 1927 Soft models with a look-at-me color story. Parisian brand Longchamp is also putting a fun spin on its signature design, the Box-Trot bag, with hues that match the spirit of the coming holiday season. 

There’s still room for the big bags 

While tiny purses and mini bags are still admired by many, big bags are also finding their way back into people’s wardrobes. For its spring 2023 capsule collection, Paris-based maison Givenchy collaborates with the Atlanta-born, New York-based underground brand (b).STROY. Highlighted in the collection are limited-edition variations on the Antigona soft, now with metal charms. Furla unveils its champion bag collection for the season which is the MiaStella, a line that ranges from the intriguing and practical tote model, perfect for work, to the gypsy touch of the minimal bucket bag with shoulder strap and long laces, in true ‘70s fashion.

Reimagining metallic details

Logomania becomes more than just for prints this season. In Furla’s My Joy creation, its logo, which depicts the brand’s letters, doubled and crossed, creating the heart-shaped closure in gold metal. While Salvatore Ferragamo's trademark “Gancini” becomes the finishing touch of its pre-spring 2023 maxi Gancio tote bag.

Prints charming

Bags also became a canvas for prints this season. Longchamp’s emblematic Roseau bag comes embellished with large white dots on a black background for a graphic, modern look. Centering on the beauty of nature, Furla’s Opportunity tote bag is imbued with the archive Fauves-inspired patterns featuring flora and fauna. While Givenchy gives a new look to its Moon Cut-Out shoulder bag and the G-tote with a colorful optical print on a denim base.

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