by Clutched.
Independent Handbag Bags
There’s a difference between a handbag everyone’s seen and a handbag people ask about. The former floods your feed. The latter turns heads on the street and sparks quiet DM requests for the brand tag. That’s the kind of recognition these indie handbag labels are earning, not through hype machines or splashy logos, but by doing something very right, very well, and very intentionally.
From Seoul to Stockholm, these are the names fashion insiders are already carrying, not because they’re trying to be first, but because they’re paying attention. Whether it’s Savette’s heirloom-level precision , Neous’ sharpness, or Dragon Diffusion’s woven cult classics, these brands all have that rare, unforced credibility that earns real cult status..
The Quiet Icons
Savette was established in 2020 by Amy Zurek, a designer with a proven track record in the luxury fashion sector. Zurek’s previous roles include designing for high-profile brands such as Coach, The Row, and Khaite, where she developed a reputation for creating covetable and functional handbags. The brand’s name is a personal tribute, derived from Zurek’s mother’s maiden name, reflecting a deep connection to heritage. Savette’s design philosophy is rooted in modern and Renaissance art influences, aiming to create handbags that transcend seasonal trends and stand the test of time. The brand’s vision is to produce pieces that can be passed down as heirlooms.
Savette
Slim Symmetry Suede Tangerine Pochette – £1,350
Savette
Symmetry 19 Herringbone Linen and Smooth Leather Trim Bag – £1,600
Founded in 2010 as Milli Millu and rebranded in 2017,DeMellier it was first noticed by fashion editors for its designer-looking bags at lower prices, a move that set it apart from the usual high-end suspects. The brand’s founder, Mireia Llusia-Lindh, brings a background in luxury fashion, with advisory roles at Burberry and LVMH. DeMellier resonates with women who care deeply about fashion as a personal and social statement.
DeMellier
The Siena Poppy Red Small Grain Leather Hobo – £475
DeMellier
The Midi Hudson Black Small Grain Leather Bag – £495
Polène, founded in 2016 by Parisian siblings Antoine, Mathieu, and Elsa Mothay, has become a go-to for minimalist yet distinctive handbags, handcrafted in Ubrique, Spain, using premium Italian leather. With prices starting at £320, iconic styles like the Numéro Un, Cyme, and Numéro Dix, in shades like camel and chalk, have won over fashion insiders and celebrities like Yeri and Kanna Hashimoto, boosted by a strong Instagram presence and stores in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, and London.
Polène
Mokki Mini Camel Leather Shoulder Bag – £480
Polène
Cyme Mini Cognac Canvas Shoulder Bag – £350
Cult Classics with a Twist
Dragon Diffusion earned a cult following for its hand-woven leather handbags, crafted in India from buffalo and cow leather. With prices starting at £250, styles like the Triple Jump and Santa Croce, in hues such as dark brown and forest green, offer accessible luxury that’s caught the eye of fashion insiders like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Dragon Diffusion
Bamboo Triple Jump Big Woven Forest Green Leather Tote – £395
Dragon Diffusion
Bali Woven Mint Leather Tote Basket Bag – £410
Celebrities like Elle Fanning have been spotted with Neous bags, notably the Phoenix Baguette, in places like London’s Notting Hill and New York’s SoHo. Neous, founded in 2017 by Australian-Egyptian designer Vanissa Antonious in London, started with footwear before launching handbags in 2020, quickly gaining a foothold in luxury fashion. Neous has cementing its status as a cult favourite among fashion editors. Most notable bags include Neptune Hobo, Phoenix Baguette, Scorpius Tote, and Dorado Crossbody, all handcrafted in Italy with LWG-certified calf leather, in hues such as dark taupe, ivory, and black.
Neous
Phoenix Off White Leather & Raffia Tote – £645
Neous
Taurus Leather Trimmed & Woven Neutral Raffia Tote – £665
The all vegan leather handbag lineup ranges from the Gabbi Ruched Hobo to the Joy Shoulder Bag. Gigi Hadid, Megan Fox, Emily Ratajkowski, and Hailey Bieber have been seen with the Gabbi, spotted everywhere from LA’s Melrose Avenue to London’s Shoreditch. Founded in 2018 by Chinese-American couple Yang Pei and Stephanie Li in Los Angeles, JW PEI has carved out a niche in the affordable luxury market, with a viral presence on Instagram and TikTok.
JW Pei
Yara Deep Burgundy Shoulder Bag – £115
JW Pei
Ziva Metal Lock Black Tote Bag – £135
Customisable Colour and Character
Italian brand founded in 2009 by Full Spot, has carved a niche with its modular, customisable handbags and accessories, crafted from lightweight XL Extralight® material. The brand offers bags like the O Bag Classic, O Bag Square, and O Bag Mini, which can be personalised with interchangeable handles and inner linings in colours such as black, navy, and coral, like the Classic Black with rope handles. While celebrities like Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni have been linked to the brand, their bags are generally spotted in European street style, particularly in Milan and London. The brand’s vibrant, mix-and-match aesthetic remains a draw.
O Bag
O Bag Beach Freesia Canvas Fabric Combo Bag – £90
O Bag
O Bag Mini Combo in Sand – £99.60
This Stockholm-based brand by Paulina Liffner von Sydow, offers minimalist handbags handcrafted in Italy, including the Tulip Tote, Mini Bucket Bag, and Croissant Bag, in shades like black, cognac, and sage green. Celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner have been spotted with its bags in cities like Los Angeles and Paris. Initially a niche label, it has grown into a cult favourite, with a focus on clean, Scandi-inspired designs that resonate with fashion editors globally.
Liffner
Mega Sprout Tan Suede Tote – £645
Liffner
Buckled Black Leather Bucket Bag – £575
Crafted in Athens using plant-based materials like apple leather and Piñatex, include the Amaryllis top-handle, Eos bucket bag, and Nemesis shoulder bag are available in shades like black, olive, and cream. Founded in 2019 by Greek designer Ioanna Topouzoglou in London, the brand has made waves in the sustainable luxury space, earning PETA approval. Its ethical ethos caught the eye of fashion insiders, with the Amaryllis spotted on influencers in London’s Mayfair and Paris’s Le Marais.
Mashu
Nicole Natural Raffia Shoulder Bag – £270
Mashu
Aphrodite 2 Sade Shoulder Bag – £260
The New Sustainable Vanguard
Founded in 2019 by Anna Szopa-Kim in Gdańsk, Poland, Atomy offers handbags like the Atom Linda baguette, Atom Mini Arc, and Atom Libra Tote, made from Italian nappa or vegan leather in colours such as black, hazelnut, and vanilla, all produced with a focus on sustainable practices. The brand’s designs have been spotted on influencers in Warsaw’s Praga district and throughout Europe. Atomy Studios is steadily gaining ground in the eco-conscious luxury market, driven by its commitment to small-scale, environmentally aware production.
Atomy
Atom Dia Fortuna Cherry Shoulder Bag – €419
Atomy
Atom Sirena Black Shoulder Bag – €529
Anema, born in Naples in 2020, has quickly gained traction with its vegan handbags, crafted from organic hemp, apple fibre, and cactus leather. The brand’s sustainable focus has landed it in the spotlight, with its bags seen on influencers during Milan Fashion Week and Naples’ chic Posillipo district. Anema’s profile rose further with its 2025 Parthéa bag collaboration with Ohoskin, earning nods from Leather & Luxury for its eco-forward approach in the luxury market.
Anema
Sibilla Cruise Top Handle Bag in Azzurra – €210
Anema
Nea Medium Croco Brown Bag – €265
Handbags from Aspassia Tagliente, founded in 2019 by Italian-Greek designer Aspassia Tagliente in Brussels, Belgium, include the Kety bag, Mini Kety, and spacious Sirenuse tote, all crafted in Italy using high-quality leather and inspired by mermaid mythology. The brand has been spotted on actress Bella Thorne, featured in a L’Officiel Monaco shoot, and on influencers in Milan and Monaco’s fashion scenes.
Aspassia Tagliente
Gea Scarlet Crossbody Bag – £828
Aspassia Tagliente
Antonia Letterina in Blue Marine Textured Evening Bag – £693
Playful Icons and Statement Pieces
Graziella Braccialini began as a small atelier crafting leather handbags and has since evolved into a bold player in luxury accessories, known for its playful, art-inspired designs. The brand’s current collection features bags like the Beth hobo with removable pouches, the embellished Giselle in eco-leather, and the sleek Penelope. Italian actress Monica Bellucci and model Bianca Balti have been spotted with Braccialini bags at Milan Fashion Week and Florence’s Pitti Uomo. Braccialini continues to thrive in the high-end market for their quirky creativity with Italian tradition.
Braccialini
Audrey Jaguar Top Handle Bag – £1,320
Braccialini
Deva in Pink Ostrich-Effect Leather Top Handle Bag – £880
Made in Poland, these bags use premium Italian leather with finishes of glossy black, cream, and black ostrich-embossed. The brand’s offerings include the structured Flap Bag with Sculptural Seal, the roomy Shell Bag, and the versatile Shopper Bag. Its Summer 2025 collection, inspired by Warsaw’s historic Wilanów district, introduces floral motifs and textures. Spotted on celebrities like Suki Waterhouse in London’s Soho and Alexa Chung in Paris, Chylak’s bags have also appeared in Vogue Polska and Elle, cementing its status as a cult favourite.
Chylak
Glossy Black Shoulder Bag with Flower Buckle – £490
Chylak
Patchwork Black Mini Tote – £345
The luxury handbag collection from Objets Daso, conceived in South Korea and launched in London in 2021, features designs like the Hye, a sleek top-handle bag, and the Vivian, a refined bucket bag, all crafted in Italy using LWG-certified leather. Spotted on influencers in London’s Mayfair and Seoul’s Gangnam district, the brand has gained traction with fashion editors for its minimalist, distinctive aesthetic.
Objets Daso
Josephine Tan Leather Top Handle Bag – £1,430
Objets Daso
Vivian Ivory Leather Bucket Bag – £1,470
Parisian Minimalism and Architectural Cool
Maison Rinceau, originally launched as Basile in 2020 by French founder Basile Rinceau in Paris, rebranded to its current name to reflect its architectural-inspired leather goods, with handbags like the Le Sac Dianna and Le Petit Apollon. The brand’s designs have been spotted on French influencers in Paris’s Le Marais and at Versailles’ Notre Dame Market Square.
Rinceau
Le Sac Mona Bordeaux Shoulder Bag – £301
Rinceau
Le Mini Apollon Olive Grain Shoulder Bag – £192
ATP Atelier produces handbags like the Assisi Shoulder Bag, Montalcino Mini, and Corsina Tote, made in Italy with leather in black saffiano, brandy, and lemonade hues. Their designs have been spotted on actress Alicia Vikander and influencers in Stockholm’s Södermalm and Copenhagen’s Nyhavn.
ATP Atelier
Silea Ecru Cannella Canvas Leather Mini Hobo Bag – £470
ATP Atelier
Gaiba Ecru Cannella Canvas Leather Mini Tote Bag – £470
Cuyana’s handbag and accessory line, crafted in Argentina, Turkey, and Italy with LWG-certified leather, includes the Classic Structured Tote, System Tote, Hobo Bag, and Easy Tote, available in shades like black, stone, and cappuccino, alongside apparel like cashmere sweaters and silk dresses. Meghan Markle was spotted with the Classic Structured Tote at Wimbledon 2019, while Jessica Alba carried the System Tote in Los Angeles. Founded in 2011 by Karla Gallardo and Shilpa Shah in San Francisco.
Cuyana
Paloma Natural Linen Tote Bag – $658
Cuyana
Mini Paloma Black Shoulder Bag – $398
Global It-Girl Essentials
Brandon Blackwood, launched in 2015 by Jamaican-Chinese designer Brandon Blackwood in New York, has become a presence in luxury accessories, with bags spotted on Beyoncé at Paris Fashion Week, Kim Petras in New York’s SoHo, and Olivia Rodrigo in Los Angeles. The brand expanded into clothing with Studio by Brandon Blackwood in 2024. Its 10-year anniversary collection in 2025 and pop-up events in NYC underscore its growing influence in fashion.
Brandon Blackwood
Mini Cara Yellow Nylon Bag – £175
Brandon Blackwood
Jordi Black Oiled Leather Shoulder Bag – £250
The Paris-based brand Elleme, founded in 2015 by Jingjing Fan, produces handbags like the Baozi, a dumpling-inspired bucket bag, the Raisin with its hand-stitched handle, and the Trousse, a boxy pencil-case style. Actress Léa Seydoux has been spotted with the Baozi in Paris’s Saint-Germain-des-Prés, while influencers have showcased the Raisin in New York’s SoHo.
Elleme
Trousse Woven Cognac Leather Shoulder Bag – £390
Elleme
Raisin Natural Raffia & Taupe Leather Beach Bag – £405
Launched in 2016 by Stephane Park in Paris with a nod to Copenhagen’s design ethos, Aesther Ekme produces leather handbags including the Demi Lune, Sac Large, and Ora Hobo, all crafted in Spain from calf leather or suede.
Aesther Ekme
Cabas Supple XL Chestnut Grained Leather Shoulder Bag – €805
Aesther Ekme
Lagune Black Grain Leather Bowling Bag – €615
Hereu, born in 2014 in Barcelona by José Luis Bartolomé and Albert Escribano, channels Mediterranean spirit into handbags like the intricately braided Bombon, the Cala Tote, and the compact Molta box bag, all handcrafted in Spain using locally sourced leather. Spanish actress Úrsula Corberó has been seen with the Bombon in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, while model Elsa Hosk carried the Cala Tote at Paris Fashion Week 2024. New collections emphasise raffia and mesh, securing its spot as a go-to for artisanal luxury.
Hereu
Calella Squared Natural Raffia & Tan Leather Trim Tote Bag – £490
Hereu
Arta Mini Tan Raffia Shoulder Bag – £430
Wandler has become a notable name in luxury accessories by offering handbags like the Hortensia Mini, Georgia, Ava, and Penelope. The brand’s bags have been spotted on model Kaia Gerber in Paris’s Le Marais and on influencers in Amsterdam’s Jordaan district. Wandler holds a strong position in the contemporary luxury market, driven by its designs.
Wandler
Hortensia Mini Black Leather Top Handle Bag – £720
Wandler
Penelope Slouch Acai Crust Leather Shoulder Bag – £450
*Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.
Styling Guide – How to wear them now
- With Tailored Linen – Match a woven raffia tote from Hereu or Neous with a boxy linen blazer and flat leather sandals. Think low-effort, high-impact.
- Summer in the City – Carry a structured Savette or DeMellier crossbody with a monochrome tank dress and low heels. Clean lines, no fuss.
- Art School Cool – Pair a sculptural Objets Daso or Aesther Ekme bag with wide-leg trousers, a fitted tee, and chunky sunglasses. Add personality with colour-pop earrings.
- Beach Day, But Elevated – Try a canvas or plant-based leather bag from Mashu or Cuyana with an oversized shirt, straw hat and gold accents. Natural fibres only.
- Evening Edge – Let a Chylak mini or Brandon Blackwood piece do the talking with a satin slip dress and strappy mules. Understated but with intent.
- The Off-Duty Uniform – Reach for JW Pei or Atomy Studios when denim’s involved — especially baggy jeans or a raw-hem skirt. Style with a ribbed vest and ballet flats.
Our seasonal handbag colour trends edit can help you find the perfect bag to suit your needs and personlity.