I Design Handbags—These Are the Shapes, Silhouettes, and Colors "In" for Fall

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Marina Raphael; Imaxtree; Imaxtree)

No one knows accessories like Marina Raphael. Before launching her own namesake handbag brand in 2019, she grew up surrounded by the shimmering crystals and over-the-top gems of Swarovski—a company Raphael's family founded and operated for over 100 years. With a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of such a legacy brand, Raphael decided to branch out by designing handbags, building her own eponymous label.

While most of Raphael's creations fall within the timeless category, like elegant structured totes and box clutches, there are also a few playful details scattered in like crystal handles and Y2K-inspired butterfly decals. 

As a guiding figure within the accessory game, Raphael has keen insight into which shapes and silhouettes will be big for the seasons ahead. So, of course, we asked the 23-year-old designer for her expert opinion on which trends we should be prioritizing over everything else this fall. Keep reading to see the five handbag trends Raphael is betting on.

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"Right now, Barbiecore is all about having fun, just like playing dress-up with dolls as a child. I feel that during this fall-winter season not only will there be a more playful vibe, but also it will take place in a more sustainably conscious manner of selecting key on-trend pieces that you feel will speak to you personally for years to come."—Marina Raphael

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(Image credit: Blumarine; )

"Adding a new texture and (quite literally) light to your outfit has been such a fashion favorite for a few seasons now, and we will definitely see this persevere into the next season."—Raphael

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(Image credit: Prada; Givenchy)

"After enjoying a spring-summer season full of vibrant colors, I believe that this coming fall we will see a shift of people returning to the all-time classic, black. A cleanse, perhaps, that will help us create more no-brainer ensembles?"—Raphael

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(Image credit: Chanel; Coperni)

"Continuing the streak of the micro-bag trend, we will surely continue to see people wearing mostly smaller bags, focusing on holding only their essentials."—Raphael

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(Image credit: Coperni; )

"I think we'll be seeing a lot of bags that act as statement pieces because of their strong shape and form. Whether its intricate structured bags or simple but defined geometric shapes, these accessories will be must-haves for the upcoming season."—Raphael

Next: Fall's New It Bag Is a Welcome Change for Anyone Who's Over Y2K Everything

Fashion Market Editor

Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.