We’re nearly at the end of another fashion calendar, with Paris Fashion Week now in full swing. But before we turn our full attention to the City of Light, Milan gave us plenty to talk about. This season, Milan Fashion Week brought a refreshing mix of playfulness and spontaneity to the runway. Highlights range from fringe to metallic accents, Versace’s perfume bottle high heels, and animal-shaped bean bag chairs.

Image courtesy: Bottega Veneta

While some designers leaned into more commercial, wearable fashion due to a slowdown in luxury demand, others embraced bold, avant-garde designs. Among the most buzzworthy items? A refreshing new lineup of handbags – here are the standout designs, offering a glimpse of what’s to come in Spring/Summer 2025.

Fresh Fendi Baguette Designs

As Fendi celebrates its 100-year anniversary, the iconic Baguette bag once again takes center stage. Having been reimagined in over 1,000 variations, Kim Jones’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection offers bold new options. These new styles feature amplified volume, playful fringe, supple suede, intricate embellishments, and whimsical charms. Some variations even incorporate semi-sheer fabrics and exotic skin textures, offering a fresh, modern twist on the Baguette’s timeless silhouette. Notably, the classic shoulder strap has been replaced with a detachable wristlet.

Image courtesy: Vogue Runway

Bottega Veneta’s All-New Andiamo

Bottega Veneta embraced a playful approach this season, showcasing everything from plastic shopping bags to seating its star-studded front row on animal-shaped bean bags. The Andiamo lineup emerged as a standout on the runway, featuring the popular Long Andiamo Clutch alongside tote bags in various sizes. Notably, Bottega is shifting away from its iconic Intrecciato woven leather in favor of less stereotypical textures, including smooth leather and croc-embossed designs. The updated Andiamo tote now sports a new design feature — a Hermès Kelly-inspired flap that transforms it from an open-top style, allowing the knot detail and sliding crossbody strap to secure across the front. Additionally, a backpack alternative was introduced in the Intrecciato woven leather, further expanding the Andiamo collection.

Gucci Goes Retro with Horsebit Bucket Bag

Sabato de Sarno’s latest collection for Gucci spans from wearable to avant-garde, featuring everything from sleek trench coats to sheer fluorescent green dresses. Accompanying these striking ensembles is a myriad of handbags. Among the standout pieces is the iconic Jackie 1961, which was prominent throughout the collection, alongside a new bucket bag silhouette. Timeless in design, Gucci’s new bucket bag exudes vintage vibes, highlighted by its horse-bit bucket detailing. It was showcased in a variety of materials, including smooth leather, zebra-print pony skin, and combinations of canvas and leather, and features an adjustable shoulder strap for versatile styling.

Image courtesy: Vogue Runway

Elevated Buckle Bag from Prada

Prada’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, under the vision of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, showcased a blend of modernity and sophistication, pushing the boundaries of quiet luxury to, well, not so quiet. A standout accessory is the Buckle Bag, elevated with a studded belt design that channels noughties vibes, replacing the plain leather fastening from previous seasons. Also spotted on the runway was a smaller version with a more bucket-bag silhouette and a single, longer shoulder strap, enhancing the Buckle bag lineup.

Image courtesy: Vogue Runway

Image courtesy: Vogue Runway

Loro Piana’s Birkin-esque Tote

This season, Loro Piana appears to have shifted focus from its beloved Extra Pocket Pouch in favor of a new, somewhat familiar design. The brand’s latest tote bears a striking resemblance to the iconic Hermès Birkin, featuring two top handles, a flap-over closure, a padlock, a clochette, and four metal feet—elements we’ve undeniably seen before. The bag was presented in a variety of materials, including leather, suede, and what appears to be a wool and leather iteration.

Image courtesy: Vogue Runway

Which bag captured your heart at Milan Fashion Week? Are you captivated by the bold new designs, or do the reimagined classics steal the show for you? Share your thoughts.

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One handbag at a time, Avec Anna.