Utility Check

Thanks to Boyy, there's a new arm candy you can actually live with. By Ranjani Gopalarathinam

Designers Dorsey and Wannasiri Kongman met one evening in New York before starting the company less than a year ago. They design their elegant, well-conceived luxury handbags in a collaboration that stretches between New York (where Dorsey lives) and Thailand (where Kongman lives), working across the world from each other, sometimes even over iChat. The company does its production in both Thailand and Italy.

Both Boyy collections to date draw their essence from bygone eras, when great style was quintessential to romance. This winter collection follows the intrigue and mystery of the Rat Pack: Frank, Sammy, and Dean. "The Sammy is like Sammy Davis, Jr. in his prime. Almost gaudy, but very cool," explains Dorsey. "It's glamorous and edgy at the same time."

Boyy's fall/winter collection boasts decadent deerskin leather in jewel hues, and limited-edition designs with crocodile trim. What differentiates Boyy from the "Brat Pack" of handbags are thoughtful details like detachable straps, one that even doubles as a belt; discrete compartments and convertibility. "The Doctor bag includes a strap that buckles onto a side strap, so it looks like a hobo. We always try to offer a lot of options and variations with every bag," says Dorsey.

The designer proudly describes the duo's effort at luxury bags as fortuitous and explosive, stating that as yet the company has no outside financial backing. "It was really like rubbing two stones together and creating a spark," he says. And according to Dorsey, that spark will eventually lead to scarves, apparel, and men's bags. What guy isn't a little partial to army candy, too?

Thanks to Boyy, there's a new arm candy you can actually live with.