In partnership with Christian Louboutin.
Beneath the glow of stadium lights, surrounded by cheer squads, live music, and a sparkling seahorse mascot, the RUSSH editors had a front-row view of Christian Louboutin’s Spring Summer 26 collection in all its theatrical glory.
And while the drama of the runway is captivating, it’s in the leather goods themselves that the collection’s elegance and energy truly translates for our wardrobes. This season, bags and accessories take centre stage, blending playful details with luxe materials, ensuring your SS26 rotation is polished, tactile, and full of personality. Here, we highlight the Christian Louboutin accessories that have stayed with us; and will shape the season ahead.
We’re still lusting after ballerina flats
Our love for the humble ballet flat isn't going anywhere, in large part thanks to new graceful shapes from the ballet-inspired Cassia line. The latest Cassia ballerina flat borrows from the world of dance — its soft form cinched by elastic straps that sweep elegantly across the foot, a subtle nod to traditional pointe shoes. There’s an intimacy to their design: the curve of the toe, the gentle tension of the strap, the whisper of satin or leather against skin. We're already imagining them with oversized tailoring or a mini skirt and sheer black tights.
The rise of the sculptural shoulder bag
In a saturated accessories landscape, sometimes classic is best. And this season, the Venus Baguette emerges as the piece that bridges craftsmanship and modernity. Cut from natural, uncoated calf cordia leather, its surface reveals a raw, full-grain texture that feels both refined and real — luxury without the gloss. In Louboutin’s world, elegance is in the detail, and here it’s found in the precision of handwork: seven individually cut and stitched panels come together to form a reimagined harlequin motif, a subtle play of geometry and material. The Venus line, also available in tote and cross-body forms, offers the kind of timeless versatility that’s built to last well beyond the season.
The shimmer is in the details
From a distance, it was easy to be swept up in the theatrics of the Loubi show. But up close, it was texture — not colour — that did the heavy lifting. Satin finishes, stretch mesh, and shimmering details give accessories depth without excess. Handbags, too, invited touch. From supple suedes to smooth snakeskin leather, tactility took centre stage.
Soft power dressing
Some of our favourite bags this season trade stiffness for sensuality. Structure gives way to shape, and hardware becomes part of the story rather than an accent. The Eva captures this shift perfectly — a supple nappa leather bag with a pillowy form and bold metal chain that grounds its softness with just the right amount of attitude. Designed in both small, hand-held and larger, shoulder-slung sizes, it blurs the line between statement and staple. For those who like their accessories with a touch of theatre, the Eva Losange Strass makes a case for embellishment done with restraint — its rhinestone detailing a playful counterpoint to Louboutin’s sleek silhouettes.
