I covered the Be&D Genesis first during NY Fashion Week, when Bryan Boy, Olivia Palermo, and Mena Suvari were spotted carrying it. I will be posting more of the available options, but wanted to note that the classic black version Bryan Boy carried is now available online at Bloomingdale’s.

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.
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*Note: Saks had labeled this bag as the Dodstock, but it is actually the Woodstock*

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. (more…)

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. (more…)

Without knowing for sure, I am guessing the Be&D Bowery Leather Satchel is in fact named after Bowery which is a street and small neighborhood in the southern part of NYC. I am sure Be and or Steve will confirm. The reason I can 100% tell you that this bag is awesome is because of the leather. The leather on Be&D bags is beyond supple. It is so soft that you will find my oddly caressing my Be&D bag from time to time. Odd but you will see what I mean when you touch their leather.

Be&D is all about the studs, but it is a welcome treat to see a studless bag from them. The Bowery Satchel has a downtown cool feel, most likely the feeling associated with the Bowery District. The front zip pocket is perfect for easy access and there is a magnetic snap closure there. The chain shoulder strap brings a nice touch alongside the double handles. I know this handbag is simple, but sometimes simple is what we all need. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $665.

I have an obsession with soft lambskin leather. Touch is one of our most important senses which comes into play when I shop for handbags. I kid you not, Be&D has some of THE softest leather I have ever felt in my life. I can’t even put into words how soft it truly feels. And then Be&D pairs that leather with rocking studs for a combo that gives you opposite ends of the spectrum which works out magnificently.

I was totally digging the Be&D Garbo Studded Leather Baguette when we recently reviewed the Be&D Garbo line. The baguette is not only a type of bread I love, but is also a fun name for the shape of this bag. There is an optional chain strap with a massive 21.5″ drop. And while I typically take off the chain strap, I loved the chain strap on this bag. Furthermore, you can double the chain strap to wear it as a shoulder bag, or leave it long to wear as a crossbody bag, or go chainless and carry as a clutch. (more…)

Last fall we had the pleasure to meet with the designers and co-founders behind Be&D, Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain. Be&D reintroduced the Garbo when we were at the press preview and we could not have been more thrilled. In 2004, most handbag designers were sticking to the basics. At this time I was still exploring my love of handbags (this is pre-PurseBlog days). Though many bags continued to look similar, there was a standout that caught my attention. It was studs. Glorious studs on the Be&D Garbo satchel.

    

    

At the time the idea of a studded handbag was foreign. No other designer was doing it and in my mind Be&D was one of the first brands to release a studded handbag. The duo became known for their studs. So while they did follow up with other successes, like the KanKan, the studs were dearly missed. (more…)

Like it or not, studded bags are a huge hit still for fall. So many of us continue to love the studded trend while others are ready for it to be over. While this may be a newer endeavor for some designers, the duo behind Be&D has been adding studs to their handbags for years. (more…)