Contemporary handbag brands that WILL LAST

I feel as though over the last year, with all the inflations that have happened in every industry, that the handbag market is one I have seen continuously going up without much pause… I mean when I look at the re-sale market at the amount of Birkin’s and Kelly’s on the market along with the ever popular single-flap Chanel, it’s kind of crazy to think that these bags could even fetch the price they are going for.

But they do, and alas the cycle continues.

Which is why the contemporary brand and mid-range luxury market is where it’s at. It’s no secret that Chanel has had quality issues, nor is it that people have to play an Hermes game and now it’s come out that some designer houses are cutting costs on labour practices…so why would you really want to go down that route when there are smaller companies that are creating incredible product at a fraction of the price with ethical labour practices, and in some cases, programs to give back.
Obviously we can’t have it all with the fashion industry, but with brands like these below, there are at least options available to add to your roster when you are looking to suss out quality alternatives.

Anine Bing Nico bag $620

Anine Bing is a well known Scandinavian designer that has been residing in Los Angeles for well over a decade, designing, creating, branding, marketing all with her husband, a line that is a culmination of model-off-duty, basics with an edge, rock meets chic. While many may recognize her cult-favourite graphic T’s that have iconic photograph’s like Mick Jagger in Los Angeles titled "Mick on the Couch," 1972 by photographer Norman Seeff or the famous portrait of Faye Dunaway’s Oscar win by the pool by Terry O’Neil or her classic collection of blazer’s, it’s the handbags that have a special draw all on their own.

This bag is a classic that is named after Anine’s husband Nico who has held a right hand in the company’s direction and success. It is a structured rectangle handbag made of tweed with a simple gold turn clasp as the singular piece of hardware noted on the bag. They have released a few different patterns and prints of this bag, always fabric and tweed, but this checked-pattern in cream and black has been a standard for quite some time. Kind of like the Chanel of Anine Bing’s line, the tweed works beautifully well in any season and is neutral enough to mix with solids, prints, jeans…you name it.

I love the size, the structure and that years into her label and creative direction, this bag is still as classic to the brand as ever.

Demellier London Large Phoenix Bag $900

I first saw Demellier’s collection while watching YouTube videos on Céline dupes of the box bags. The reviews were great and once I started to look at the different bags they made I knew I had to try one out. The large Phoenix is a bag that feels very Chanel (can you tell I am on the hunt to make sense of something that isn’t the cost of a single-flap bag?) and yet is, to my mind, nicer.

I love a classically-styled bag, but I honestly detest seeing every woman and her mother carry the same bag. I like seeing some level of individuality and when everyone is carrying the exact same caviar leather with the double ‘C’ it gets a bit tired. This bag covers every component that I feel a Chanel would, which is why I am making the comparison.

Deliciously soft leather, check.
Gold chain and leather strap, check.
Can be worn 4 different ways…ok, what? Hold on a second this is cool.
When I first picked up this bag I hadn’t experimented yet, but upon playing around realized that I could wear it crossbody, shoulder (with the strap doubled up), hand-held with just the leather and/or just the gold chain as the strap AND by tucking the strap into the bag it becomes a sexy clutch. Love it.

It is also spacious, has a great feel to it, can be worn any season (love neutral colours for this) and easily be added to any coat/jacket combo without feeling cumbersome. This bag has already gone the distance for me in one season, so I can’t wait to wear her in during the upcoming fall/winter seasons to come!

Lemaire Small Croissant Bag in smooth leather $1370

Christophe Lemaire was the artistic director at Hermes for 11 years, so he knows how to make a good bag and this ‘Croissant’ bag has definitely become a staple in my collection. First off, the shape and name, I mean come on. It’s perfect! Love a croissant with coffee, and love a croissant to be able to walk through life with. Especially one that has been expertly crafted in glorious leather that feels beyond buttery to the touch.

I love a bag that is quality, but that you don’t need to feel too precious with. Despite the smoothness of the leather, this bag is actually very durable, practical and feels as though it elevates any casual outfit with a level of cool-factor that is very Parisian meets New Yorker. I love it and have since bought a coated canvas one in the medium size because I felt I needed a fabric that would hang with me on humid winter/rainy days.

Let me just say, the price point is higher than the other two brands, but is a testimony to the impeccable crafstmanship and textiles used in the fabrication of these stellar bags.