7 niche bag brands with extraordinary cult followings

If the success of bags like J.W. Anderson's Pierce or the Chloé Nile are anything to go by, it may well be argued that moving forward, standout design is, and will be a strong benchmark to achieve before skyrocketing to fame in the arm-candy-shop. No longer are giant interlocking alphabets nor tessellated insignia the surest marks of a bestseller-to-be. Perhaps it is this shift of focus from branding to intent that has paved the way for pieces from lesser known labels—with inconspicuous logos but a clear design voice—to attain cult status. Or could the reverse be more plausible? After all, it was Mansur Gavriel's 2012 bucket bag revival that marshalled an emergence of these niche accessory brands that have all found their sweet spot between accessibility and luxury.

Either way, with their coveted position on the arms of style hunters far and wide, this new breed of It-bags has garnered quite the following—clearly proven by their Instagram popularity. Ahead, seven names that need a place on your fashion radar:

STAUD
Founded in downtown Los Angeles in 2015 by Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto. The goal: "No nonsense, high style."

Most popular: The Moreau (left) and the Bissett (right)

CULT GAIA
Created by Jasmin Larian in 2012 in Los Angeles with the ideal of creating Objets d'Art that make you look twice.

Most popular: The Ark

SIMON MILLER
Founded on the principles of Japanese fabrication and modern American craftsmanship. Creative direction led by Daniel Corrigan and Chelsea Hansford.

Most popular: The Bonsai

DANSE LENTE
Based in London and founded by London College of Fashion graduate Youngwon Kim. Inspired by contemporary aesthetics and modern architecture.

Most popular: The Lorna (below) and the Phoebe (pictured in cover image above)

STRATHBERRY
An Edinburgh based luxury label, founded in 2013. Notable for signature bar closure. Shot to fame following the "Meghan effect". 

Most popular: The Strathberry Tote

BOYY
The brainchild of Jesse Dorsey and Wannasiri Kongman. Born in New York, stocked worldwide.

Most popular: The Karl 24

THE VOLON
Started by Eujung Jang in a small atelier in Seoul. Name derived from a philosophical phrase by Jean-Jacques Rousseau "le vonlonte de tous", which translates to "the will of all"

Most popular: The Great L. Box