'It's a small handbag that is easy to carry and easy to match with clothes, the black patent leather one especially for evening, but the same shape in white goes really well with summer clothes,' she said.

'The shape is trapezoid, with a golden clasp on the top and is discreetly embossed with the word Lanvin.' Its rigid leather with saddle stitching blends well with current fashions.

Tailored and sophisticated bags in luxurious black or white leather are also available from Gucci, featuring both top handles and detachable shoulder straps and embossed with the Gucci logo.

A slightly more casual contemporary look can be found in Etienne Aigner's spring-summer range.

'We have the Tessuto line of soft fabric bags with the Aigner logo on them,' marketing manager Stephen Li said.

He said small leather goods in Aigner's more classic Daily Basis collection, such as purses and key-holders, were ideal for Mother's Day. There were also small bags in hand-grip and box styles in this line, in fresh summer colours.

Fratelli Rosetti, best known for its shoes, has a selection of handbags in seasonal colours.

Some of the more fashion-oriented bags are co-ordinated with new shoe ranges. One is in a mother-of-pearl leather finish with a translucent shine.

Conservative styles in black and brown leather are still available, together with classic designs of small goods in either stiff or more casual soft leather.

There are two new handbag lines from Lancel - Poivre (pepper) and Menthe (mint). Poivre is in rigid and slightly textured calf leather. Colours include white, black and red.

'The styles are simple and geometrical, which matches current fashion trends for more subtle bags, or we have stylish shopping bags,' marketing manager Jocelyn Tam said.

'It's a good line for mature women.' Menthe is a more casual line of mainly soft-shaped hand-held bags with a detachable shoulder strap made from a lightweight PVC canvas. It has a smooth finish and is trimmed with calf leather and decorated with a golden flower.

New summer shades of bright green, bright blue, yellow and cream have been added to Lancel's flagship line, Elsa, in lizard-printed canvas trimmed with leather.

The latest fashion addition to the Salvatore Ferragamo range is natural wicker.

'We have three different shapes: one is like a basket; another is a classic handbag with a handle and a gancini buckle; and the third is more dressy with a gold chain shoulder strap,' manager Bennie Lau said.

Celine has a youthful and sporty range of bags, belts and accessories in its Croisiere line in supple calf leather stamped with the Celine logo and decorated with buttons.