What struck me the most about seeing the Be&D Studded Kitty Satchel and Be&D Gia Satchel in quick succession was how different the two bags were for being released by the same independent brand in the same season. The Kitty satchel is big and soft, almost like a really luxe weekender, while the Gia is all corners and angles and sharp edges, done up in a comparatively petite size.

But there are some details that connect the two together, most notable the gold pushlocks that will always remind me of Marc Jacobs, no matter how many other designers use them. The tendency to use neutral leathers is also a very Be&D trait, and although it doesn’t satisfy my lust for bright accessories, it does make for a very useful handbag.

My natural tendency is to gravitate toward the Kitty satchel because of its slouch (and because it’s black), but I could see the Gia being a great work bag for a woman who wants to carry and accessory with a bit of personality in a conservative workplace. But still, the Kitty’s apparently inclusion of a crossbody strap is winning me over. Which bag do you prefer? Buy through Bloomingdales for $1350 and $975, respectively.

Because I have a 15-year-old goth living inside of me somewhere who refuses to leave, one of my favorite cold-weather looks is layered black in lots of different textures. The look gives a whiff of badass to whomever dons it, and a bag like this is the absolute perfect way to tie up an intensely dark, brooding outfit.

So this is what I’m envisioning: leather leggings, python booties, a giant, soft cashmere knit tunic and this bag. Perhaps some gunmetal jewelry. I should also mention that I dye my hair black and wear black-framed Ray-Ban glasses, which means that I probably look ridiculous and perhaps a bit scary in all of my black, but if frightening small children isn’t part of embracing fashion freedom, then I ask you, what is? This pony bag would fit right in with my goth getups, but even if you prefer a little more winter variation, this tactile-yet-functional bag could likely find a home somewhere in your closet. Buy through Matches for $2102.

Made with tiger-striped haircalf, the tiger version also has gold studs. On a larger accessory exotic animal print paired with textured hair and studs could easily be gaudy, but on this cute little card case it is the perfect touch. The other option is leopard-print leather with gunmental studs. Again, love this. Love them both. And with gift season knocking at our door, these are great gift options! Buy the tiger version for $68 via ShopBop and Leopard version for $55 via ShopBop.

Camo-print has such a negative connotation to so many people, believing it is overly masculine and as far from fashion forward as possible. But this is not the case. Camo can be cool, it just has to be done properly. Be & D does that with their Barclay Tote.

Be & D is known for their rocker-like studs. And the Barclay tote has the studded accents one comes to expect from Be & D, but only at the front sides and back sides of the bag. The center panel features the camo print while the sides feature military green pebbled leather.

I know some of you may think this bag is too down and dirty, but paired with a crisp white shirt and khaki pants or jeans, it would add an unexpectedly chic military touch. Buy through ShopBop for $1290.

Who: Be & D Sample Sale

What: Be&D Sample Sale. 30-75% off Handbags, Footwear and Small Accessories
Original Garbo Satchel: $895, Sample Sale: $275
Kan-Kan Portfolio: $595, Sample Sale: $200
Wristlets: $295, Sample Sale: $50

Where:: 35 West 36th Street, 10th Floor West, NYC

When: Tuesday, May 25th – Thursday, May 27th. 9am-7pm. Cash & all major credit cards accepted.

It’s harder to come by in warmer months, but if you have a similar affinity for the dark side, the Be & D Big Spring Satchel is probably perfect for your personal style. It’s rare that something that so proudly trumpets its affiliation with a warm season is so decidedly dark, and although some people may find that contradiction off-putting, it feels perfectly normal to me.

There’s just something so delightfully subversive about matte black leather in warm weather, and a chain-handled, studded handbag is perhaps the best way to achieve that look without giving yourself heat stroke. I like cheerful colors as much as anyone, but black feels like home to me and this bag in particular seems to know exactly what I want. Buy through Saks for $1285.

That element of fantasy is what attracted me to the Be & D Leather Convertible Bag. The raised spheres on the flap of the little cross body reminded me of futuristic armor or something equally awesome. But then, I made the mistake of looking at the bag in a fleshy color, a color that Be & D calls “citrus.” Friends, I’ve never seen a citrus fruit in this color. It’s fleshy, a salmon-esque shade at best.

Sadly, this color ruined everything. If you really are curious, this bag then reminded me of the pustules on the Baron Harkonnen’s face in the 1984 movie adaptation of Dune, one of my favorite science fiction reads. Rather gross, right? So let’s just ignore that and focus on the bag in black, because I’d much carry a bag that’s cool like a Dune stillsuit. Buy through Saks for $495.

This bag entails two aspects of many Be&D bags; whipstitched detailing and supple washed leather. Lately, I have really been digging the Be&D bags I have seen. I still love the studs that they offer, don’t get me wrong, but their Americana feel which much of their line showcases pulls me in. It seems so perfectly fitting for spring and summer, which is just touching most of the world with a slight warm up and knocking the snow off our boots.

The bag offers a single shoulder strap along with a longer detachable crossbody strap. The silver tone hardware always lends a casual touch to a black leather bag. The inside is equipped with a zip and cell phone pocket along with a key ring. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $1095.

Firstly, I must apologize for the extremely slow start to the week on PurseBlog. You woke up, checked PurseBlog, and saw no new posts. That is because when my alarm went off this morning I somehow convinced myself that it is Sunday so I could turn off my alarm and sleep as long as I wanted. It is nearly 11 am. That is bad. Part of the reason why I am so tired is because yesterday Vlad and I went horseback riding. It was pretty much our first time and nothing about horseback riding it like in the movies. It is hard, intense, and has me much sorer than I imagined. That is the story of why things are off to a slow start today.

And that is also the reason why I am reviewing the Be&D Woodstock Portfolio Messenger Bag. You see, yesterday I didn’t even think for a moment about what bag I would take horseback riding. I had been using my Rebecca Minkoff Matinee and popped that on my arm and took it out the door. I had to leave my bag in the car, obviously. But I imagined if I took a great/compact messenger bag I could have slung it over my body and taken it with me on the horse.

No, I do not need my bag with me on the horse, but this is just hypothetical. And it is still a great idea to have a good messenger bag in your handbag collection, which will free up your hands. Be&D is such a great brand. Their bags are edgy and funky with great attention to detail and the materials being used. The Be&D Woodstock Portfolio Messenger Bag features whipstitched leather, a chain link strap, and a few silvertone studs. The leather is entirely soft. Actually after talking about horseback riding and thinking about where I was yesterday, I can even see a bit of a Western vibe from this bag.

The shoulder strap can either be worn as a single or double strap, which will give you a 14″ or 25″ drop. The inside has functional pockets; zipper and two open pockets. Overall dimensions are 13″W X 8½”H X 1½”D. I may not wearing this bag next time I horseback ride, but I still need a great messenger bag. Buy through Saks for $795.

Fashion Week in New York is coming to a close and one of my favorite aspects of it is to see who is going to which show and wearing what. The Fashion Week bag of choice for Olivia Palermo, Mena Suvari, and Bryan Boy has been the Be&D Genesis from the Summer 2010 line.

Not only do we love the bag, but we love the varied trio spotted carrying it. Olivia Palermo sports a croc-embossed cream version while mixing up her wardrobe with prints. Then we have the sassy Mena Suvari who opts for a leopard Genesis which looks electric next to her bronzed outfit. And how can we neglect Fashion Week superstar Bryan Boy? Bryan Boy has been a friend and fan of PurseBlog for quite sometime and we are fans back. He has a knack for fashion and putting together outfits that can never be described as boring. He kept his bag plain black while letting his outfit do the talking.

Other celebs are loving the Be&D Genesis as well, including Jessica Stam, Eva Longoria, and Margherita Missoni.

We will be bringing you a post dedicated to the Be&D Genesis bag soon, so you can learn about each option available. If we keep it classic, simple, and go with black like Bryan Boy we will be getting lamb washed leather which is extremely supple. Price for the black version is $1095. Check back to ShopBop and Bloomingdale’s for this bag!