damson madder turns autumn dressing on its head

Swarovski.

It doesn’t take much for an object covered in thousands of tiny mirrors to steal the scene everywhere it goes — ask Swarovski. For Autumn/Winter 2026, the Austrian crystal house is introducing the Sublima Bag, a limited-edition design that takes the sparkle of its namesake jewellery collection and applies it to an evening bag covered in thousands of hand-set crystals.

Crafted in Italy from leather, the bag is embellished with approximately 4,850 individually applied Swarovski crystals, creating a shimmering surface inspired by the light-reflecting cuts and fantastical character of the Sublima jewellery family. The effect is unapologetically opulent, with the crystals literally shining against the bag’s clean, elongated silhouette.

The design comes in four monochromatic colourways — white, pink, gold and green — each limited to just 200 pieces worldwide. That makes for a total of 800 bags across the collection, turning the accessory into a collectible addition to Swarovski’s offering for the season. The pink and gold versions bring a more expressive finish, while the lighter and green variations offer a different interpretation of the same crystal-covered surface.

Swarovski.

Swarovski.

There is some practical thinking behind all that sparkle, too. The Italian-made design features a handle that folds inside the bag to transform it from a handbag into a clutch. The construction means it can move between different occasions without changing its overall character, while the leather body and crystal embellishment bring together two sides of Swarovski’s expertise: material craftsmanship and decorative brilliance. 

Arriving online and across selected boutiques this October, the accessory marks an adventurous expansion for the heritage brand, translating the complex, multi-tonal texturing of its fine jewellery catalogue into a fully formed evening companion. Find out more here.

photography. courtesy of Swarovski
words. Gennaro Costanzo

Marine 5517 by Breguet.

Breguet’s relationship with the sea dates back to 1815, when Abraham-Louis Breguet was appointed Watchmaker to the French Royal Navy. More than two centuries later, that maritime history continues to shape the Maison’s ‘Marine’ collection, which returns for 2026 with fresh interpretations of two familiar references: the Marine 5517 and the Marine Chronographe 5527. This time, however, the focus is on colour, dial craftsmanship and the small nautical details that have long distinguished the range.

The Marine 5517 is the more understated of the two, built around a 40 mm case and a three-hand display with the date positioned at six o’clock. Its most noticeable update lies in the dial, where the Maison’s hand-guilloché ‘Quai de l’Horloge’ motif creates a wave-like pattern across a gold base. The name refers to the historic Paris address where Breguet established his workshop, while the design draws on the contours of the Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis. Three versions are available: 18-carat white gold with an ice-blue dial, 18-carat rose gold paired with black and titanium with a subtle blue gradient. Each features Breguet Arabic numerals, the Maison’s characteristic apple-shaped hands and a gold appliqué at twelve o’clock.

Marine 5517 by Breguet.

Marine 5517 by Breguet.

The sportier Marine Chronographe 5527 takes the same decorative approach into a 42.3 mm case, introducing a flyback chronograph complication. Its layout places the chronograph-minute counter at three o’clock and the small-seconds display at nine, with the date again positioned at six. Here, the dial combinations differ from those of the 5517: white gold and rose gold are paired with blue-gradient dials, while the titanium version features a grey gradient. The guilloché work brings continuity between the two references without making their personalities identical.

Both models share further details inspired by navigation. The tip of the seconds hand on the 5517 and the central chronograph hand on the 5527 form a letter B, referencing the maritime ‘Bravo’ flag, while the crown guard evokes the movement of waves. Turn either watch over and the sapphire caseback reveals a gold oscillating weight inspired by a ship’s rudder, extending the nautical references into the movement itself.

Marine Chronographe 5527 by Breguet.

Marine Chronographe 5527 by Breguet.

Under the dial, the 5517 houses the self-winding Calibre 777A, delivering a 55-hour power reserve, while the chronograph uses the Calibre 582QA, with a 48-hour reserve and a silicon balance spring — and on top of that, they’re both are water-resistant to 100 metres. Each metal and dial combination can be paired with a rubber strap decorated with a pattern echoing the dial or a matching metal bracelet, extending the collection’s mix of maritime function and traditional watchmaking into its finishing details.

The updated Marine 5517 and Marine Chronographe 5527 are available in white gold, rose gold and titanium, with the new dial treatments bringing a different character to each material. Discover more here.

photography. courtesy of Breguet
words. Gennaro Costanzo

Hart Lëshkina for Balenciaga.

At Balenciaga, the hourglass has never belonged to dresses alone. Since Cristóbal Balenciaga first introduced the sculpted waist into his couture collections in the 1940s, its distinctive curves have become one of the house’s most recognisable signatures. Now, Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli is giving the silhouette a new address with the Hourglass Avenue, a handbag that replaces some of the original’s architectural severity for a more fluid approach to everyday carry.

Following its debut with the house’s Autumn/Winter 2026 collection, the design takes its cues from the fitted bodices and peplumed jackets of Balenciaga’s early couture. Its curved base recalls the cinched waist of a tailored garment, while the body balances a structured outline with the natural creasing of reworked box leather.

Maddi Waterhouse, Salem Mitchell, Yang Chaoyue and more star in the latest campaign shot by Hart Lëshkina, showcasing just how versatile the Hourglass Avenue really is.

Hart Lëshkina for Balenciaga.

Hart Lëshkina for Balenciaga.

Practicality has its place, too. A folding leather flap conceals a second hinged handle, allowing the bag to be carried in different ways, while a detachable crossbody strap adds another option for everyday use. The magnetic lock is engraved with Balenciaga 10 Avenue George V, the historic Paris address where Cristóbal Balenciaga established his couture ateliers and where the house remains headquartered today.

The collection arrives in black, raisin, carmin red and snow white, alongside a photo-printed black version in shiny box calf. Larger sizes feature an internal zipped pocket and an external flat pocket, while an elongated East-West variation swaps the leather strap for a chain, giving the familiar shape a different proportion and attitude.

Hart Lëshkina for Balenciaga.

The Hourglass Avenue is available in selected Balenciaga boutiques worldwide and online. Find out more here.

photography. courtesy of Hart Lëshkina for Balenciaga
words. Gennaro Costanzo