Longchamp reimagines beanies as bags for spring 2026

The creative director reveals how childhood memories of ice skating inspired Longchamp’s most transformative collection yet—where knitted beanies become bags, mittens turn into pochettes, and family legacy meets playful innovation

Sophie Delafontaine has spent three decades proving that Longchamp is about more than creating bags—it’s about how they become an integral part of your lifestyle.

This winter, that philosophy takes physical form with La Patinoire Longchamp, the brand’s pop-up ice skating rink at K11 Promenade, which runs until January 1, 2026. “The skating rink, like Longchamp itself, is a place where friends and family gather,” the creative director and third-generation family member says. It’s a sentiment that runs deep through the nearly 80-year-old French maison, from Jean Cassegrain’s humble tobacco shop in 1948 to today’s global lifestyle brand spanning leather goods, ready-to-wear and cultural happenings.

Above Sophie Delafontaine is Longchamp’s creative director and third-generation family member

Sophie Delafontaine is Longchamp’s creative director and third-generation family member

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Under Delafontaine’s creative vision since the 1990s, Longchamp has blossomed far beyond its cult Le Pliage tote into a house that speaks to the modern woman through pieces designed to give her freedom and confidence.

Le Pliage Cocooning, which is a part of the spring 2026 collection, embodies that spirit with playful ingenuity: knitted beanies are transformed into bags, mittens are reimagined as pochettes and cosy pieces celebrate the joy of winter. We sat down with Delafontaine to discuss not just fashion, but also family legacy, creative evolution, and family winter traditions that inspire her work.

Photo 1 of 8 Longchamp brings the French tradition of winter to life with La Patinoire Longchamp, a pop-up skating rink at K11 Musea Promenade

Photo 2 of 8 Longchamp brings the French tradition of winter to life with La Patinoire Longchamp, a pop-up skating rink at K11 Musea Promenade

Photo 3 of 8 Longchamp brings the French tradition of winter to life with La Patinoire Longchamp, a pop-up skating rink at K11 Musea Promenade

Photo 4 of 8 Longchamp brings the French tradition of winter to life with La Patinoire Longchamp, a pop-up skating rink at K11 Musea Promenade

Photo 5 of 8 Longchamp brings the French tradition of winter to life with La Patinoire Longchamp, a pop-up skating rink at K11 Musea Promenade

Photo 6 of 8 Longchamp brings the French tradition of winter to life with La Patinoire Longchamp, a pop-up skating rink at K11 Musea Promenade

Photo 7 of 8 Longchamp brings the French tradition of winter to life with La Patinoire Longchamp, a pop-up skating rink at K11 Musea Promenade

Photo 8 of 8 Longchamp brings the French tradition of winter to life with La Patinoire Longchamp, a pop-up skating rink at K11 Musea Promenade

Longchamp brings the French tradition of winter to life with La Patinoire Longchamp, a pop-up skating rink at K11 Musea Promenade

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Longchamp has expanded beyond leather goods into a brand with its own distinct lifestyle. When you look at the recent initiatives—from Shanghai’s La Maison de Famille to Hong Kong’s La Patinoire Longchamp, how do these new experiences reflect the Longchamp spirit?
While we typically express our brand through products, which remain at the heart of our company, these initiatives allow us to reveal what lies behind Longchamp. La Maison de Famille in Shanghai is literally a family house, reflecting our identity as a family-owned company. Even here in Asia, I’ve known our team members for 20 years—we truly operate like one big family.

La Patinoire Longchamp in Hong Kong represents another facet of our brand: its energy and dynamism. The skating rink, like Longchamp itself, is a place where friends and family gather.

The skating rink, like Longchamp itself, is a place where friends and family gather.

- Sophie Delafontaine -

Le Pliage Cocooning collection feels playful—knitted bags that can be worn as scarves, mittens reimagined as pochettes… What inspired this cocooning, transformative approach to accessories?
The idea for this collection was to create an experience—a moment to enjoy and have fun with loved ones. I imagined ice skating in the middle of the city, enjoying hot chocolate and popcorn, wearing a beanie and gloves. That’s how I got the idea of transforming them into functional bags—playful, but also practical.

You’re making it sound quite nostalgic... How does this collection tap into your own childhood memories?
Ice skating is a cherished part of childhood. I remember going with my friends and brother—it was always playful and carefree. Someone would fall and everyone would laugh. It was pure joy.

Now, as a grandmother, I plan to take my two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter skating this winter. These moments on the ice really bring out your inner child—you forget everything else and simply enjoy being present.

Above Longchamp’s spring 2026 Le Pliage Cocooning collection transforms cosy sweaters, beanies and mittens into vibrant striped bags

Above Le Pliage Cocooning collection turns cosy knits into transformative bags in pistachio and burgundy or coral and pink

Longchamp’s spring 2026 Le Pliage Cocooning collection transforms cosy sweaters, beanies and mittens into vibrant striped bags

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When it comes to a new collection, what do you always start with?
I always begin with colour. My studio houses countless fabrics in myriad shades. I start by selecting colours and arranging them together. Once I’ve established the palette, I can imagine a story behind it. That forms the foundation for everything that follows.

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Longchamp also did a major colour rebrand this year. How did you pick this green?
The original colour was Heritage Green—a deeper shade that paid homage to the prestigious Longchamp horse race in Paris. About 20 years ago, my father, brother and I refreshed our palette, introducing the lighter green you now see in Pacific Place and our boutiques worldwide. While Longchamp’s heritage, legacy and craftsmanship are embodied in that original darker green, our brand has always been dynamic and energetic. We sought a fresh, vibrant green that would truly reflect this spirit.

When I visited the boutique yesterday, I could feel this energy radiating even from a distance. It’s inviting and full of life—exactly the effect we wanted to achieve.

Above Longchamp’s signature bag, Le Roseau, gets its cosiest iteration this season

Above Le Pliage Cocooning in pistachio and burgundy

Longchamp’s signature bag, Le Roseau, gets its cosiest iteration this season

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Longchamp has maintained remarkable consistency over nearly 80 years—you’ve described it as evolution, not a revolution. What’s unique about being a family business?
You’re right. As a family business—which we are determined to remain—we work with a long-term vision rather than quarter to quarter. We implement initiatives now that may come to fruition years later. Being independent gives us the agility to act swiftly and seize opportunities. We’re not afraid to take risks.

There’s also immense value in having people you trust who can be brutally honest. My brother wouldn’t hesitate to tell me, “Your bag is awful”. It’s not easy to hear—perhaps something a colleague couldn’t say—but with him, it’s transparent. We argue, but always with confidence, trust, respect, and lots of love.

A Longchamp woman doesn’t want to be constrained by her clothing, she wants pieces that give her wings.

- Sophie Delafontaine -

You are the creative mind that brought femininity and sartorial spirit to Longchamp. Who is the Longchamp woman today, and how has she evolved over the past three decades?
The Longchamp woman has maintained a consistent mindset over the years. She’s independent, active and dynamic—someone who dresses for herself first and seeks self-confidence through her style. She aspires to elegance, but always with a dynamic edge. She doesn’t want to be constrained by her clothing; instead, she wants pieces that give her wings, allowing her to move freely while staying elegant.

When designing collections, I focus on creating key wardrobe pieces that women can style in multiple ways. The kimono jacket, for instance, can be worn open or belted, layered over a dress or paired with leggings for different looks. It’s also travel-friendly—pack it in your suitcase, shake it out, and it holds its shape without needing an iron. Ultimately, it’s about giving the Longchamp woman the freedom to express herself through versatile, elegant pieces that move with her dynamic lifestyle.

Above Longchamp’s Winter Radiance collection for Spring 2026

Above Longchamp’s Winter Radiance celebrates the magic of the season

Longchamp’s Winter Radiance collection for Spring 2026

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Topics

Longchamp K11 Musea Sophie Delafontaine Fashion

Cathy Huang

Content Editor, Chinese, Tatler Hong Kong

Cathy Huang is the content editor of Tatler Hong Kong, overseeing featured articles in both English and Traditional Chinese while managing the publication's social media presence.

Sophie Delafontaine transforms beanies and mittens into Longchamp’s most playful bags yet