SS17 BAG TREND GUIDE: NEW YORK AND LONDON FASHION WEEK

As the industry makes its move to Milan this week, spring/summer 2017 fashion month officially edges into its latter half. With New York and London showcases complete, including contributions from many heavy hitters in accessories design – Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Anya Hindmarch, Christopher Kane and Mulberry, to name a few – clear trend stories have already developed for the season ahead.

Plays with fur embellishments are continuing through from autumn/winter, as spotted at Anya Hindmarch, Christopher Kane and MM6 Maison Margiela. Also seen on the bags of tomorrow are thick chain handles and an overload of exotic skins.

We have your official crib sheet for New York and London’s spring/summer 2017 main accessories trends – and an edit of our catalogue to stay ahead of the game.

PRETTY IN PRIM

Call it a reaction to the ubiquity of sportswear in recent seasons, but fashion is fated to undergo a primness revival for summer. Ladylike handbags were all the rage at Christopher Kane, Roksanda, Mulberry and Anya Hindmarch in London, and even the typically grunge labels such as Marques’Almeida were on board. The femininity was overplayed with splashes of pastel and vivid colours, tiny frames, and sturdy, top-handle silhouettes.

A red, sturdy barrel tote by Prada captures this spirit perfectly, as does a pink and yellow colour-blocked bag – primness is, after all, a Miuccia Prada domain. Equally relevant is Christian Dior’s Lady Dior handbag in pale blue or coral, or a white python leather Alaïa with a top handle. And perhaps the most influential and iconic of all the prim designs is the Hermès Kelly handbag, inspired by Princess Grace Kelly. We have the Kelly in myriad, rare editions – the most on-point for SS17 is crafted in a muted pastel, Blue Jean ostrich leather.

Left to right: Thom Browne, Christopher Kane, Anya Hindmarch

BAGGY BAGS

Minimal metal accents and vast stretches of unembellished leather is a combination that’s so striking in its simplicity. Big, slouchy bags were cast all over on the catwalks of New York, as seen at Lacoste, Creatures of Comfort, Victoria Beckham, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Alexander Wang.

An all-white Alexander McQueen De Manta tote bag perfectly captures the quiet luxury of this trend. And the holy grail of big bags is found in our trove – the giant 55cm Hermès Birkin HAC handbag, crafted in a beautiful Gold brown Togo leather.

Above: Narciso Rodriguez

SUPER-DOWNSIZE ME

Teensy bags were seen (or barely seen) at the likes of Burberry, Anya Hindmarch and Mulberry. Two favourites from our selection are a minuscule Ferragamo shoulder bag and the ultra-rare quilted gold leather Chanel anklet bag that can be playfully styled on the wrist or arm.

Clockwise from top left: Mulberry, Anya Hindmarch, Burberry, Coach, Roksanda

Left: Ferragamo shoulder bag, Right: Chanel gold anklet bag

IN THE PINK

In the spirit of saccharine femininity, many bags were spotted in pink exotic skins, notably at Altuzarra and Alexander Wang. We have two perfect incarnations of this trend from Chanel: a pastel pink python skin clutch and an ombré pink crocodile leather Classic Flap bag.

Left: Pastel pink python skin Chanel clutch, right: Ombré pink crocodile leather Chanel Classic Flap bag

NOW IT'S PERSONAL

Partially at the doing of Alessandro Michele’s maximalist vision for Gucci in recent seasons, the fashion crowd has been swearing by the mantra that “more is more”. His love for cartoons, graffiti, glitter, beading and iron-on patches has made its mark on the industry, and perhaps the biggest accessories trend seen is whimsically embellished bags.

If the likes of Altuzarra, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Anya Hindmarch and Christopher Kane are anything to go by, a handbag is just a canvas for showing your true colours (and patterns, and shapes, and textures). We have a highly rare version of Louis Vuitton’s Papillon barrel bag, featuring sakura illustrations by artist Takashi Murakami, and other super embellished designs from the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel and Moschino. And, of course, look to our Emotional Baggage series for hand-painted editions of your favourite It-bags – from the Speedy to St Louis to the Kelly.