If you’re like me, not a single season goes by when you don’t at least take a quick peek at the new season handbag offerings. Sure, there will always be another handbag, but there is something about the promise of the new; it seems to usher in a sense of urgency to recreate ourselves, if only through our wardrobes.
The 2014 Fall collections were a veritable buffet of varying handbag trends; from the re-emergence of the popularity of trends such as color blocking and fur handbags to some new, streamlined shapes that are sure to please, there was definitely something for everyone on the runways.
Here are our top three collection picks from the Fall runways, but be warned: Viewing these new season handbags might very well lead to a bout of shopping!
Prada
At Prada, 2014 Fall is the season of the chain handle. But this is not the dainty chain handle of the iconic handbags of years gone by. The chain handles at Prada Fall 2014 are statement chain handles; large, almost industrial-looking chains that add a dose of metallic edge to an otherwise austere handbag. The smooth, minimalistic rectangular shapes of the bag set off the heavy chain handles nicely, making this one of Prada’s more serviceable handbag collections in a long time – large chains notwithstanding.
It has to be said that the bags themselves are a departure from what Prada has been doing for the past few seasons; the designs are simple and minimalistic with very quiet and unobtrusive turn lock closures. The color palate is neutral and metallic; another departure from the past season of loud and riotous mural art handbags.
This time around, nearly the entire collection is made up of shoulder bags; Prada has been churning out satchels for the past few seasons, so this change of direction seems quite fresh indeed.
Chloé
You can almost always count on Chloé to create a handbag that will be instantly coveted by fashionistas everywhere, and Fall 2014 is certainly no exception. Monopolizing on the large, folded-over handbag trend, Chloé has come out with a collection of luxurious, buttery-soft leather tote bags that were shown folded over and neatly tucked under the arm. The color palette is largely neutral with a few pinks and mauves thrown in, creating a very soft, feminine effect that works well when paired with the modern tailoring silhouettes and cutting-edge shapes for which Chloé is so well known.
Interestingly, this season, the design house has added a new, hybrid-style tote bag that has soft handles that are designed to be tucked away from view when not in use. The result is a tote bag that actually functions as a clutch when folded over, giving the wearer even more options in how she will style it.
Louis Vuitton
This season, fashionistas waited anxiously in the wings in anticipation of the rollout of Nicolas Ghesquiere’s first runway show as creative director at Louis Vuitton. Ghesquiere did not disappoint with his first offering; he took some of our favorite Vuitton classics and gave them a fresh update, and then went on to add a few extra offerings of his own.
One thing that definitely stood out during the runway show was how Ghesquiere’s efforts were really and truly in keeping with the ethos of the legendary luxury design house that he now heads. For example, the iconic Louis Vuitton Speedy bag was given an update and transformed into something sleek and modern with merely the simple design change of making a single handle strap in place of the traditional two-handled strap.
The piece that got everyone talking, however, was the Louis Vuitton Trunk Shoulder Bag: A miniature rendition of the classic Louis Vuitton steamer trunk turned into a miniature handbag with a long leather strap and side tab closures.
No matter how your tastes may trend, Fall 2014 is looking to be a very promising season for handbags; big, small, kitschy, colourful, and everything in-between was spotted on the runways, but we think that the three bag collections highlighted here are destined for something greater – iconic, must-have status.
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