Updated on January 12, 2026
Winter ushers in a season of rich, warm hues. Shades like cognac, burgundy, and chocolate become the defining colours of casual elegance, creating a subtle, nostalgic ambience. This autumn, a sense of renewal is evident as fashion houses revisit their classic designs, rooting the season in a vintage aesthetic that highlights a preference for authenticity and genuine style.
The Retro spirit: this season’s essentials
At Miu Miu, the brand revives its retro vibe by reintroducing the Wander bag in woven leather, a popular piece from the 2000s that has become a symbol of the house's playful and naive charm. Meanwhile, Chloé emphasises its cult appeal with the Paddington, nearly identical to the original with its oversized gold padlock and soft, aged leather, capturing the season's most sought-after vintage nostalgia. Louis Vuitton showcases the Again Bag, highlighting current trends, and revisits the Artsy bag with a more flexible and refined shape.
Maxi or Mini: Absolute freedom
The bag becomes a daily essential, highlighting a renewed preference for oversized designs or soft tote bags. These carryalls symbolise freedom of movement and the bohemian vibe, similar to the famous Chanel 25 Bag with its "hobo" shape.
However, in an era where a simple smartphone replaces a purse, torch, mirror, notepad, pencil, and more, a prominent trend is emerging in mini formats. Examples include the Small Lady Dior My ABC Dior Bag and, even smaller, the Muse Mini by Goyard. This compact and stylish version of the iconic vanity case highlights modularity and artisanal craftsmanship.
Quiet luxury & timeless icons
Winter's aesthetic is also soft and soothing. "Quiet luxury" takes centre stage at Louis Vuitton, with the new Express bag moving away from the monogram to feature sleek leather and understated gilded accents, symbolising subtle elegance. This theme has long been Hermès's hallmark, and this winter, it is prominently reflected in a return to its equestrian heritage and a reinterpretation of the Kelly bag, now crafted with leather panels and wool fabrics.
Charms: the details that delight
Signature details of the season, with charms slipped onto the handles, serve as a playful nod to individual taste, reimagining personalisation in a subtle and evolving way.
Between heritage and modernity, the bag is more than an accessory—it's a subtle yet powerful statement of identity.
The Kelly: 70 Years of Legend Under the Label of Princess Grace
In 1956, a single image was enough to make a bag iconic: Grace Kelly, with a calm silhouette and confident gaze, carried a Hermès model on her arm that would become legendary. The photograph, published by Life Magazine, spread worldwide and turned this leather model into a symbol of pure elegance. The dispatch bag, designed in the 1930s by Robert Dumas, would become the Kelly, a symbol of understated style and French craftsmanship.
Seventy years on, the Kelly continues to be a premier emblem of French luxury. To this day, each item is handmade by one artisan at Hermès workshops in France, taking around twenty-five hours. From cutting and saddle stitching to attaching the clasp, every step embodies the house's deepest tradition.
Its prestige is validated by sales, with a Kelly 25 Himalaya Niloticus selling for a record 352,800 euros at Sotheby’s Paris in 2022.
The Renaissance of Jamin Puech
Liv (whose real name is Liva Ramanandraibe) says, “Night and day, I always have a new idea for a bag in my head. It’s not an obsession: it’s a passion.” He gained recognition this summer in Monte-Carlo with his IBELIV pop-up shop at the Jardins du Casino. This occurred just before he took part in the Printemps Haussmann exhibition Sac, Sac, Sac. More than a Bag. Simultaneously, the designer acquired Jamin Puech and promptly began designing the initial models for a brand he aims to revitalise.
For the Parisian house, which had lost momentum, this marks a rebirth. Established in 1991 by Isabelle Puech and Benoît Jamin, the brand is renowned for transforming handbags into cherished objects where materials, colours, and unique gestures communicate. With Liv, it finds a new creative energy that aligns perfectly with its spirit.
Craftsmanship at Heart: A Creator’s Vision
The new CEO and Artistic Director of Jamin Puech is dedicated to enhancing Madagascar's craftsmanship, as well as that of India and Vietnam, where he is from. More than just design, the real challenge lies in people. “My goal is to preserve the brand while creating jobs and elevating local skills to a high standard.”
By displaying its boutique at the Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer is contributing to this revival: promoting a French brand rich in imagination and showcasing exceptional craftsmanship.
Practical Information:
Casino de Monte-Carlo boutique.
Prices start from 580 euros.
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