We may have just found the most versatile It bag of 2026. The latest style to join the ranks of Gucci's iconic bags is the newly launched Gucci Paparazzo: a roomy, squishy flap design that may well stop people—if not paparazzi—in their tracks.
Who What Wear editor-in-chief Jane MacFarland carrying the Gucci Paparazzo.
The luxury Italian brand has a rich and diverse legacy, and there’s no subtle nod to the archive here. Gucci’s iconic Web stripe is front and centre; a green-and-red horizontal striped motif first derived in the 1950s and inspired by the saddle ribbon used in horseback riding. Then there’s the signature Horsebit hardware, a hallmark of Gucci’s heritage and one of its most enduring and recognisable codes. So far, so Gucci. But we’re at the start of a new Gucci era under Demna as the newly installed artistic director since July 2025, translating as an sense of ingenuity that makes the Gucci Paparazzo feel decidedly "now".
Who What Wear editor-in-chief Jane MacFarland carrying the Gucci Paparazzo.
Demna’s signature provocative approach to design can be seen with the introduction of the single-handle silhouette, which is slowly emerging as one of the biggest trends in luxury accessories right now. Given the bag’s size and the slouchiness of the style, it’s a subtle quirk you could almost miss. Here are some of its other vital stats: it’s a structured flap design with two internal pockets and side buttons (known as "gusset construction" in bag speak), which means it can be styled more streamlined or capacious depending on your mood and how much you're carrying. There’s a shoulder strap, should you be so inclined, but the top handle is large enough to be swung over your shoulder. I also like carrying it in the crux of my elbow, or even swinging it low to make more of a statement.
As for the aforementioned versatility, this bag is real-life-coded. I’m wearing it for a day around the city, full of meetings, a business lunch, a stint in the office and so on. It easily fits my office essentials (laptop, notebook, et al.), but the aforementioned gusset construction keeps the silhouette streamlined, and it never feels heavy or over-packed. I’ve paired it with a pinstripe suit from the pre-fall "Generation Gucci" collection, and it all feels rather American Psycho meets Working Girl meets '90s Julia Roberts, but I can totally imagine it with a leather bomber jacket and jeans on the weekend. The Gucci Paparazzo is proof that you don't always need a new bag—just the right one.
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