Carryalls, Clutches and Crossbodies: 15 Local Labels To Shop Women’s Bags

Buying a new bag is often as much of a choice about function as it is fashion. And like shoes, there’s a tendency to lean towards international brands in your search for the perfect carryall. But with a focus on craft, quality and sustainable practices, these local labels are setting a new standard for “it” bags and investment pieces alike.

Affaires

Affaires calls on natural fibres and classic shapes to create its carefully considered range. Dropping small collections throughout the year instead of following traditional fashion seasons, the brand favours slouchy silhouettes that can hold all your daily needs. Tomato wool and powder blue are current favourites. But there are more neutral options available too.

Yu Mei

New Zealand brand Yu Mei has built a following for its draping totes, structured crossbodies and perfectly petite mini bags. Founder Jessie Wong believes that being able to carry your laptop, lunch and basically everything but the kitchen sink to work or university is just as important as being able to dance hands-free until dawn. The Teresa Tote is a tireless choice for the 9–to-5. And the brand’s growing range of small accessories can provide the perfect complement. This season, the brand adds to its non-leather collection, offering six new utility-driven styles made from Econyl regenerated nylon. The pieces are made to work together so you can perfect the art of packing your bag.

Oroton

From its beginnings as an importer of luxury European textiles, Oroton has grown into the modern, practical and sophisticated Australian brand we know it as today. Contemporary and easy to wear, the label uses durable canvas and smooth leather to create a core range of totes, baguettes, shoulder bags and crossbody styles. This winter, the collection is made up of a seasonal palette of currant, dark chocolate and black.

Saben

Founded by designer Roanne Jacobson in 2002, Saben is known for its refined, utility-led leather goods, designed in New Zealand. This season’s styles, which recently walked the AFW runway for Nagnata, include slouchy hobos and mini bucket bags in richly toned cowhide. The mainstay collection offers textural variety – from quilted to braided and bubble finishes – alongside pared-back classics built for regular rotation.

Poppy Lissiman

Poppy Lissiman’s signature bold silhouettes are frequent companions on morning commutes, at cocktail hours and beach hangs. Studded totes, bright but functional crossbody bags and retro-inspired faux-leather shoulder bags are consistent best-sellers. The new Mammoth collection sees faux goat hair adorn a range of bags for a dose of daily whimsy.

Rylan

Rylan’s structured satchels, baguettes and totes speak to the Sydney brand’s minimalist design ethos. In an effort to reduce waste, the label periodically offers an imperfect sale collection, selling slightly flawed pieces at a reduced price to make sure they still find a loving home. Alongside Rylan’s premium leather designs, there are also woven styles made from recycled PU.

Georgia Jay

Georgia Jay uses premium deadstock leathers to create handmade collections in the brand’s Auckland studio. Sleek lines and minimalist details define favourites like the Boobie baguette, Pebble crossbody and Magda tote, which are available in a revolving array of colours.

A-Esque

A-Esque’s founder and creative director, Amanda Briskin-Rettig, keeps manufacturing local and specialised to create a bespoke experience for her customers. Offering a small and carefully considered collection, the brand has gained a following for its softly sculpted designs. The Grocer tote will do some serious heavy lifting in your wardrobe day in, day out. A-Esque takes measures to be more sustainable each season, offering a repair service, selling preloved products and upcycling older designs to create new wares.

St Agni

Byron Bay label St Agni is known for its stripped-back aesthetic and refined silhouettes – and its leather goods are no exception. The Large Connolo bag plays on classic shoulder bag proportions with a cylindrical shape, while the patent coffee-toned Baguette bag offers a minimalistic style designed for nights spent bar hopping with friends. For something roomier, the Woven Large tote – crafted from hand-woven leather panels – continues to be a consistent best-seller, selling out quickly.

Camilla and Marc

Founded in 2003 by sibling duo Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman, Camilla and Marc has become known for its structured tailoring and sleek, modern silhouettes. That same aesthetic runs through the label’s accessory range, from the sculptural Soki tote in a rich chocolate hue to the softly shaped Remi mini bag in suede. The Poppy clutch, with its embossed finish and gold push button, rounds out the range with a more textural evening option.

Sans Beast

Creating beauty without the beast is at the core of Melbourne label Sans Beast. Research and development is a large focus for the business, as founder Cathryn Wills and her team aim to work with the most sustainable materials available. PETA-certified, vegan-friendly fabrics are used to create brand signatures like the Universo tote and Daytripper tote, as well as colour-pop pieces such as the Sanctuary crossbody in red.

Mimmi Terra

Gold Coast-based Mimmi Terra’s handwoven totes are made from recycled plastic in limited-edition drops. The lightweight, durable and waterproof pieces instantly conjure European glamour in both neutral and more vibrant colourways. Take your phone, keys and credit card out for dinner in micro silhouettes or stow your office essentials in larger, double-handled designs.

Deadly Ponies

Launched in 2005, Deadly Ponies has gone from garage project to trans-Tasman sensation. The brand’s new collection includes rich reds and creamy tonal shades across a range of signature silhouettes. Shop the new range, alongside core pieces, online or in the Kiwi brand’s Melbourne retail space.

July

July might be best known for its luggage collection, but the Melbourne brand also has a number of smaller pieces suited for everyday use – whether you’re at home or away. The Everyday Tote and Daybreak Backpack both fit a laptop and essentials for journeys big and small. More recently, the local label introduced leather goods into its fold – the Juliette style ranges from a seven-litre crossbody to a 22-litre tote, along with fives sizes in between.

Maison de Sabre

Maison de Sabre’s colourful collection includes staple backpacks and handbags, as well as phone pouches, magsafe wallets and Apple Watch bands in grained leather. Take the opportunity to personalise your pieces – monogramming is available across most of the range.

This article was first published on September 8, 2022 and has since been updated.

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