Some designer handbags are backed by decades of history, such as the Hermès Kelly and the Louis Vuitton Speedy, both of which were designed in the 1930s. Others are appealing for the complete opposite reason: They’re new and different and instantly signal your up-to-date insider knowledge of the fashion industry. This story is focused on the latter category. There will always be a time and a place for collecting handbags with history, but if you’re looking for novelty, you’ve come to the right place.
For spring and summer 2026, we’ve been treated to an especially wide array of luxury-bag launches because of all the recent creative-director shake-ups. Naturally, newly installed designers at prestigious houses like to make strong first impressions with customers, and bags are a time-tested way to do just that. Scroll down to shop my favorite new handbag styles from Gucci, Loewe, Dior, and Versace.
My Favorite Designer-Bag Launches of Spring/Summer 2026
Loewe Amazona 180
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s debut spring/summer 2026 collection for Loewe was rife with standout moments, but one handbag caught my eye: the Amazona 180. “First introduced in 1975,” Loewe explained, “the Amazona emerged at a moment of societal and cultural shift in Spain. Its name signals both a new beginning and a continuity: marking Loewe’s 180-year anniversary in 2026.”
Loewe
Mini Amazona 180 Bag in Suede
Loewe
Small Amazona 180 Bag in Suede
Loewe
Large Amazona 180 Bag in Soft Calfskin
Dior Cigale
“Inspired by La Cigale—an iconic dress conceived by Christian Dior for fall/winter 1952—with its fitted bodice, full moiré skirt, and pronounced pleats, this new bag transposes its sculptural silhouette,” Dior explained in a press release. “Crafted from supple, luminous calfskin, the Dior Cigale comes in two sizes—small and medium—and in a delicate palette, from rose soupir to icy blue, trench beige, and moiré gray, in homage to the iconic shades of the house.” It was released in mid-March and is available exclusively in boutiques.
Gucci Borsetto
Just this week, the Gucci Borsetto was photographed on Demi Moore at the Cannes Film Festival. Other recent A-list sightings include Anne Hathaway, Dua Lipa, Kate Moss, Tyla, and Vittoria Ceretti. If that doesn’t prove that this is one of the season’s buzziest It bags, I don’t know what will.
Gucci
Borsetto Medium Boston Bag
Gucci
Borsetto Medium Boston Bag
Gucci
Borsetto Medium Boston Bag
Versace Pivot
The new Versace Pivot is “a tactile, sculptural interpretation of the bucket bag defined by its distinctive hardware, capturing the strength and sensuality at the heart of Versace,” the brand explained in a press release. “Bearing the signature Medusa, newly rendered. A distinctive emblem set within a leather oval macaron. An inviting rendering of an icon with an alluring depth to her gaze, capturing the details of the Medusa decorating the door of Via Gesù 12, the original Milan home and atelier of Versace.”
VERSACE
Pivot Small Leather Bucket Bag
Versace
Pivot Small Leather Bucket Bag
VERSACE
Pivot Small Leather Bucket Bag
Dior Médaillon
Since taking the helm at Dior, Jonathan Anderson has masterfully reintroduced the maison’s medallion motif from 1947. My favorite new version of this house code? The Médaillon Flap Bag, which is offered in small and medium sizes. The dusty-pink version, in particular, is calling my name.
Dior
Small Médaillon Flap Bag
Dior
Medium Médaillon Flap Bag
Dior
Medium Médaillon Flap Bag
Explore More:
