Miuccia Prada’s Paris Fashion Week offering was an exercise in pattern awareness.
OH BOYY, A CELEBRATORY DEBUT AT BERGDORF GOODMAN
March 31, 2014 3:26 PM
The road to Bergdorf’s is no easy road for designers if the movie “Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s” is any indication of the nature of this very selective buying process. Among the millions of designers longing for their chance to be sold at Bergdorf’s, only the best of the best in the world are selected. So when Boyy bags held their Bergdorf debut event on March 27, there was much to be celebrated by the designers Jesse Dorsey and Wannasiri Kongman. For the couple, the journey started 9 years earlier in New York City, crossed several continents, and finally landed them here today.
Jesse and Wannasiri met in 2004 and started their collaboration in 2005. Jesse Dorsey was a musician, composer, and producer with works written for the Beastie Boys, Milla Jovovich, and scores for Cirque du Soleil. Wannasiri, nick-named Boy in Thailand, worked as a buyer for one of Thailand’s largest department stores “Central” and subsequently moved to New York to study at FIT to further explore her love for fashion. When the two met, sparks flew, in many ways. The two not only joined forces in their creative endeavors but also romantically; they are probably one of the most endearing and engaging couples you will ever meet. The parts of the business that Wannasiri doesn’t enjoy, Jesse loves, and likewise.
The synergy of this partnership brings together androgynous designs with both feminine and masculine touches. The geometry of classic boxy shapes as well as slouchy silhouettes are made with the softest leathers sourced in Italy. Their designs are further enhanced with modern exotic materials like stingray, crocodile and python. And the final touch that brings a unique edginess is the raw urban chain element inlaid over many of their signature designs. There’s a universal appeal to their bags that transcends sex, whether male or female, many of the bags look as great on a woman as a man. Perhaps because they spread themselves across Thailand, Italy, Paris, and New York, the designs absorb a worldly culture like a good global citizen. The Bon Bon backpack, the signature Filippo bag, the slash bag - all are in the fashion world’s top must-have lists.
The final touch is a more convicting one. As a designer, an artist, your craft is an expression of the truth within, it is a materialization of the beauty and the life that composes you. Many fortunate start up brands today have money to fund large PR teams and extravagant advertising and marketing, but Wannasiri and Jesse started with almost nothing. Wannasiri remembers having to go to 5 restaurants in Soho looking for a job just to pay her rent and fund her schooling. The trying times of surviving in New York for the two didn’t deter them from starting a brand, it just made success ever more sweeter. Through hard work, determination, and strong passion, Jesse and Wannasiri now have 3 stores in Thailand including one 2-story flagship store that includes a coffee shop known for the best croissants in Bangkok. Yes, flaky moist delicious croissants. When you are a crafter, every aspect of your creation is not shy on perfection and quality. Jesse designs the entire store from the interiors, to the café menu, to the croissant recipe. They want all elements of the entire Boyy experience to be one of exceptional quality. When asked if he ever misses music and production, Jesse responds that, no he doesn’t, because what he is creating today is just as captivating and just as engaging as when he was creating music. I guess if music was a tool to materialize an inspiration, then so is a beautiful handbag, or a croissant for that matter.
With already a huge following in Thailand, Denmark, and Paris, the couple plans to further expand their markets throughout Europe in the near future. And of course expand even more in New York City, where they first met, where they fell in love, and where they brought to life their baby, Boyy.
WRITTEN BY:TINA SHIMIZU
related posts
SAINT LAURENT F/W2015 "PUNK ROCK PARADISE"
At first glance, I couldn’t help but think that every model in the Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 2015 exhibition looked like Courtney Love during her Hole days. Exaggerated jet-black eyeliner and...
COMME DES GARÇONS F/W2015 READY-TO-WEAR
In stark contrast to Rei Kawakubo’s unsettlingly beautiful blood-red Spring collection, the designer’s Fall offering was decidedly lugubrious in solemn black and white.
Roberto Cavalli F/W2015 READY-TO-WEAR
Italian fashion designer, Roberto Cavalli presented his Fall/Winter 2015 collection during Milan fashion week.
PRADA F/W2015 READY-TO-WEAR
If an alien race from the future designed a human clothing line and had only the show Mad Men to use for a reference, the results would probably be akin to Prada’s AW15 collection. ...
Dior defies gravity in Spring/ Summer 2015 campaign
Christian Dior took an innovative stance in the spring-summer 2015 campaign.
BURBERRY PRORSUM F/W2015 Ready-to-Wear
Prorsum literally means “forward” in latin, but Burberry is taking beautiful steps back in time with its Fall RTW collection displayed at London Fashion Week. CEO/Creative Director...
TWELV Magazine Fashion Week Party @GANSEVOORT PARK AVENUE NYC
To celebrate and to take a break from all the pandemonium of New York Fashion week, TWELV partied at the Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC on Monday.
KTZ NYFW F/W2015 Ready-to-Wear
TWELV attended KTZ’s NYFW presentation and snapped front-row shots of the collection. Luxe materials, bold patterns, and Native American inspired designs encapsulated the whole of the...
PRADA Spring/Summer 2015 AD CAMPAIGN
Prada had a strong presence at the 72nd annual Golden Globes as displayed by stars like Christoph Waltz, Common, and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Hot off its solid representation on...
Jill Stuart NYFW F/W2015 Ready-to-Wear
This season Jill Stuart offered up a collection that we are already coveting – the pieces transition so easily from daytime to nighttime that they all seem like a smart investment.
Moncler Grenoble F/W2015 "SECRET OF VALENTINE KISS"
Moncler Grenoble “Love Factory”
↓CLICK BELOW FOR VIDEO↓
BACKSTAGE #6 VIDEO: Kiko X Chanel
"Behind the scenes of TWELV Magazine's inspired creations"
VIKTOR & ROLF S/S2015 COUTURE COLLECTION
“Couture is a laboratory for ideas and a place for experimentation,” said Rolf Snoeren at the Victor & Rolf Haute Couture show in Paris. And experiment they certainly did. The...
Atelier Versace S/S2015 Couture Collection
Donatella Versace took this spring couture collection back to “the shape of a woman’s body, which is curvy.”
BACKSTAGE #5: THE GUMMY BEAR DRESS
"Behind the scenes of TWELV Magazine's inspired creations"
DOLCE & GABBANA SS15: A FAMILY AFFAIR
Dolce & Gabbana keeps it in the family this season with its SS15 ad campaign. This is not the first time we’ve seen the family-outing theme from D&G, however the Italian...
Christian Dior S/S2015 Couture Collection
This year’s Dior couture collection was not what you typical expect from a classic fashion house like Dior.
Sherlock Goes Sixties In MIU MIU Pre-Fall 2015
Miuccia Prada got a bit groovy with her pre-fall 2015 installation at the Palais d’Iéna. The set piece: drab olive green and washed out yellow set against tacky retro wallpaper. It’s a room that...
JONI MITCHELL ADDED TO SAINT LAURENT MUSIC PROJECT
Hot off the release of the spring/summer ’15 Psych Rock collection, Hedi Slimane has appropriately enlisted folk legend Joni Mitchell to join the Saint Laurent Music Project.
DIOR SNEAKER HEELS: A FASHION FORWARD TAKE ON FITNESS
Have you ever taken a look at your workout sneakers and thought, “These just aren’t red carpet ready enough”? Have you ever looked at your flashiest heels and thought, “These just won’t do if I...
‘Super H’ scarves by Hermès
French luxury brand Hermès has produced a whimsical video module to accompany the release of their new “Super H” scarves. The six pieces of super hero inspired French fabric fly freely in the...
NOBUYOSHI ARAKI SHOOTS FOR BOTTEGA VENETA
Nobuyoshi Araki has become the latest artist to collaborate with Bottega Veneta. The Japanese photographer, known for his raw, bondage inspired images, has foregone the provocative and the taboo...
Comme des Garcons Debuts Collaboration
Japanese fashion label Comme des Garcons collaborated with long-lasting footwear company Bata producing an exclusive sneaker line for the 2014 holiday season.
BACKSTAGE #4: DOLCE VITA
"Behind the scenes of TWELV Magazine's inspired creations"
Marc Jacobs & Sophia Coppola collaborate
Fashion designer Marc Jacobs and Academy Award-winning director Sophia Coppola collaborate in a short film to launch the latest Marc Jacobs fragrance, Daisy Dream.
MADONNA FOR VERSACE SS15
Madonna proves that she’s still at the top of her game; the enduring pop icon has been chosen to front Versace’s spring/summer 2015 ad campaign. The two cultural behemoths -- both symbols of...
Prada features Hollywood stars in Spring/ Summer 2015 Campaing
Italian fashion brand, Prada, snatched some of Hollywood’s most eye-catching men for their Spring/Summer 2015 menswear campaign.
TWELV MAGAZINE 12.12 Holiday Party @Chloe 81
What is more festive than a holiday party?! TWELV magazine celebrated the holiday season in style last Friday at Chloe 81.
JASON WU SPRING ’15 STARRING KARLIE KLOSS
For the fifth and final installment of Jason Wu’s popular and aptly titled “supermodel supper club” ad series, the powerhouse designer has chosen supermodel Karlie Kloss as the featured...
50 SHADES OF TOM FORDS BOYS
Take a trip to the Tom Ford website before November 28, and you’ll be greeted by close up clips of sensual smooching providing the backdrop for a dramatic countdown clock. This is of...
Saint Laurent PSYCH ROCK'S NEW RISING
Check out new images from the men’s and women’s collection called PYSCH ROCK by Saint Laurent!
Chrome Hearts Miami Store Opening Party
Fashion and art collided at the opening of the Chrome Hearts Miami store during Art Basel!
GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI DESIGN S/S 2015 ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN FEATURING KAROLINA KURKOVA
Giuseppe Zanotti Design recently shared their new Women's SS 2015 campaign starring supermodel Karolina Kurkova.
HARARE SS15 LOOK BOOK EXCLUSIVE
Caroline Fuss founded New York womenswear label Harare back in 2013 and named the line after the birthplace of her mother and grandmother.
DIESEL BLACK GOLD FASHION STORY"WONDER WALL"
Exclusive Fashion Story "WONDER WALL" is now updated!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial