What’s Your Favorite Handbag Brand Right Now?

There is no other game that fashion enjoys more than the game of musical chairs. Think Anthony Vaccarello, who just departed Saint Laurent (where will he go next?), plus the dizzying game of seat-swapping that took place during the Spring 2026 season.

The Fashion Industry’s Never-Ending Game of Musical Chairs

Matthieu Blazy at Chanel, Jonathan Anderson at Dior, Jack and Lazaro at Loewe—the list goes on. When it comes to upheavals at major luxury brands, fashion fans and industry insiders alike never cease to be surprised.

There have been so many changes over the last few years, with beloved designers moving from one brand to another or leaving altogether while fans eagerly await their next move. And with Martine Rose’s recent appointment at Balenciaga, leaving Pierpaolo Piccioli standing when the music stopped, the game isn’t ending anytime soon.

Rumors continue to swirl that Chemena Kamali is leaving Chloé, while empty seats at Saint Laurent and Alaïa remain. 2027 also marks the debut of Pieter Mulier’s Versace, which means we’ve not yet seen the end of major designer transitions.

With these major brand shakeups, switches in brand loyalty are nearly inevitable. Plus, as many luxury brands aim to modernize and shift their strategies toward a younger consumer base, changing visions often mean that a handbag brand that was once your favorite no longer speaks to your personal aesthetic.

Why Celine Is My Handbag Brand of the Moment

When Michael Rider took the helm at Celine following Hedi Slimane’s seven-year tenure, fashion fans everywhere rejoiced. Rider’s Celine feels like a mix of French Americana, with a hint of Phoebe Philo’s Celine.

And the bags? SO good.

Rider has a strong talent for creating collections that feel inherent to Celine’s core DNA while remaining fresh, modern, and incredibly wearable. While Slimane brought the Triomphe back, Rider has returned to the chic Parisian sensibility of Celine, and his bags have spoken to me from the start.

From the return of the iconic Celine Luggage to fresh, softer takes on the Triomphe bag, each collection feels thoughtful, covetable, and full of cult-favorite It-bags in the making.

What about you? What is your favorite bag brand in 2026?