Since it’s become de rigueur to adorn your bag with charms, the little trinket has emerged as the perfect gift for the season. Here, we round up some luxury models, from the most refined to the whimsically bold, featuring labels like Prada, Balenciaga, and Loewe.
These small adornments—often referred to as gri-gris or charms—have made their home on bag handles and closures for almost a year now. The more poetic among us have even dubbed them “bag jewellery,” a nod to their ornamental function. The idea first took hold in the mind of Jane Birkin, who enjoyed personalizing her Hermès bag with various baubles. She remains a reference in this field, and her name has now even been adopted by a TikTok micro-trend, where “Jane Birkinify” has come to describe this very practice.
But it’s clear that the iconic Birkin has inspired much more than just a casual fad. Luxury brands have embraced this playful approach, with some making these small accessories a speciality of their own. Prada has revived its robot character for a fresh, fun look, while Loewe injects humour with enchanting leather animals. Far from waning, this trend is reaching its peak as the year ends. Balenciaga, one of the frontrunners in the field, has even launched a “charm bar” for the holidays, complete with personalization services and mini City bags.
The only challenge now? Picking from these charming delights.
Bottega Veneta’s Dog Charm
AED 2,250
Leather lanyard with Intreccio nappa leather John charm.
Get it here.
Cartier’s Diabolo Bellboy
AED 2’030
Diabolo de Cartier Bellboy and wax seal key ring in lacquered metal, red resin and golden finish.
Get it here.
Alaia’s Le Coeur Coin
AED 2’333
Heart mini purse. A simple cut in the leather creates volume and pure shape. Versatile item offering multiple ways of wearing thanks to the hook and key ring.
Get it here.
Balenciaga’s Paloma keyring
AED 2’350
Made from brass, lambskin leather and TPU, the Paloma keyring by Balenciaga makes for a great bag charm. The handy split ring keychain features the iconic heart-shaped mirror charm, a BB logo charm, padlock and keys along with a logo lettering charm.
Get it here.
Hermes’s Oran Nano Charm
AED 3’060
Charm in Epsom and Butler calfskin and Hunter cowhide with “Hermès Paris” hot stamp. A new miniaturization of a Hermès icon, borrowed from the shoe universe.
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Prada’s Pop Strings bag charm
AED 3’250
A play of colours and textures defines this charm, a unique accessory with a contemporary style that enriches bags with a distinctive, personal touch.
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Loewe’s Panda charm in felt and calfskin
AED 1’900
Panda charm in felt with a looped calfskin strap and an Anagram dice.
Get it here.
Longchamp’s Le Page Key Rings
AED 440
Inspired by our Le Pliage Xtra collection, this is a miniature version of our Longchamp leather key rings available in season colours.
Get it here.
Fendilicious Charm
AED 2’490
Bag charm made of white sheepskin with black karung and multicolour leather details. Embellished with metal Fendi Roma lettering. The charm is distinguished by its unique sushi-shaped design. Wireless earbud compartment and magnetic clasp. Palladium-finish metalware and logo clip.
Get it here.
Coach’s New York Cluster Charm
AED 1,100
This vibrant charm, crafted from plated brass, resin, enamel, and plastic, is a tribute to New York City. Featuring a split key ring and a dog leash clip, it showcases iconic elements like the skyline and yellow taxis. Perfect for adding a touch of the Big Apple to your bag!
Get it here.
From the recycled materials of Hermès’ workshop to the elegant jewellery ties from Prada, or Loewe’s Panda, there’s no shortage of options for bag embellishments this season. Soft-hearted collectors may gravitate towards the playful art-inspired Louis Vuitton hot air balloon, or the lambskin dog charm from Bottega Veneta.
Meanwhile, the more precious-minded will find themselves drawn to Fendi and Cartier’s bag chains. And for the true collectors, mixing and matching is part of the fun.
Charms are, after all, a game of choice.
