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BOYY
- May 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 5
Brand Scorecard:
★★★★☆
Leather: 4.5
Hardware: 3.5
Design: 4.5
Engineering: 4
Craftsmanship: 4.5
TOTAL: 4.20
Brand Website: boyy.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
BOYY is a luxury accessories brand founded in 2006 in New York City by Jesse Dorsey and Wannasiri Kongman. The brand's name combines Kongman's nickname, "Boy," with "YY," symbolizing their creative partnership. Their initial collaboration began with designing handbags in Dorsey's apartment, which also served as their first showroom. BOYY's debut collection featured a bucket tote with a canvas body and zipped leather compartment, gaining attention from fashion influencers and securing their first international order through Paris's Colette concept store.
Over the years, BOYY expanded its product line to include ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, footwear, and special projects, maintaining its reputation for bold, playful, and timeless designs. The brand is known for its distinctive oversized buckle detail and commitment to high-quality materials and craftsmanship.
BOYY remains privately owned, with headquarters in Milan and Bangkok, reflecting its global perspective and cultural influences. The brand continues to challenge conventional luxury fashion norms through innovative design and a multidisciplinary approach.
FIVE PILLARS OF A GOOD LEATHERCRAFT
READING MY ASSESSMENT SCORES
AUDIENCE & CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE
How would you rate Boyy as a brand?
How would you rate Boyy as a brand?
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PRODUCTS REVIEWED
Boyy Wonton 20: Unwrapping the Art of Modern Luxury
Boyy's Wonton 20, Sorrel
Boyy is a contemporary brand that has quietly yet confidently carved out a space in the luxury handbag scene. Known for its sculptural silhouettes, architectural minimalism, and creative use of negative space, Boyy doesn’t rely on loud logos or legacy status. Instead, it focuses on design innovation, quality craftsmanship, and subtle uniqueness. One of the brand’s most iconic pieces is the Wonton 20 bag, a softly structured handbag that has earned cult status among fashion enthusiasts. In this blog, we dissect this popular bag from the inside out—literally—to understand what makes it tick and whether the €1,290 price tag is justified.
DISCLAIMER: The “Rip My Bag Challenge” is a review series that tests leather products’ quality, price, and craftsmanship. While the brand supports the challenge financially, my opinions stay fair, unbiased, and truthful. Products featured are purchased anonymously without brand involvement. Brands have no control over content, publishing dates, or the review process.
First Impressions: Quiet Elegance with a Sculptural Twist
Upon first glance, the Boyy Wonton 20 immediately commands attention through its quietly powerful form. The name "Wonton" isn’t just playful; it genuinely reflects the bag’s dumpling-like silhouette. The curved handles, soft slouch, and understated hardware all work in harmony to create a design that is minimal yet dynamic. Its compact form still offers versatility, thanks to a detachable strap that allows it to transition. The overall aesthetic is polished, clean, and slightly avant-garde—a rare blend that caters to those seeking refinement without redundancy.
Design Analysis: Form Follows Thoughtful Function
The design of the Wonton 20 earns high marks for originality and restraint. The gentle curves, hidden magnetic closure, and clean lines all contribute to a harmonious visual flow. The proportions are well-balanced, offering enough room for essentials while maintaining its sculptural integrity. One limitation arises in terms of accessibility; the opening is slightly narrow, making it less convenient for quick access. Still, the design intent seems to prioritize shape over ease, and in this case, it’s a trade-off that many style-focused users are likely willing to accept. This clever tension between utility and aesthetics secures a design score of 4.5 out of 5.
Structural Integrity: Lightweight Yet Resilient
When cut open, the Wonton 20 reveals thoughtful internal architecture. Rather than relying on heavy foams or thick board reinforcements, the bag uses lightweight yet durable materials to maintain its form. This choice reflects an understanding of how to reduce bulk without sacrificing resilience. The structure remains supportive but flexible, allowing the bag to retain its softness without appearing floppy. It doesn’t collapse completely when empty, which speaks to the effectiveness of its hidden framework. For these reasons, the bag scores a solid 4 out of 5 in structural integrity.
Hardware: Functional But Not Feature-Defining
Boyy keeps things minimal in the hardware department. The strap clips, and magnetic closures are all sturdy and well-fitted, but they don’t stand out as exceptional. They do their job without compromising the bag's aesthetic, but they don't add any distinct value to the experience. There is subtle branding in the metallic elements, which is tastefully done. Still, compared to the design and leather quality, the hardware feels more utilitarian than luxurious. As a result, the hardware receives a score of 3.5 out of 5.
Leather Quality: Natural, Thick, and Premium
Leather is where the Wonton 20 truly asserts its luxury status. The leather used is thick, vegetable-tanned, and shows a beautiful natural grain with minimal correction. The pores are clearly visible, indicating a high-quality hide that hasn't been overly processed. The surface has a soft, elegant feel with a rich, dimensional appearance. There was a small instance of surface contamination, but this is minor and doesn’t significantly detract from the overall experience. The choice of leather not only enhances the tactile sensation but also provides structural support. With its excellent quality and finish, the leather earns a strong score of 4.5 out of 5.
Craftsmanship: A Showcase of Precision
The Wonton 20 bag demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship. Stitching is uniform and tight, with carefully aligned edges and well-applied edge paint. The suede lining is neatly fitted and soft, and the overall assembly reveals little to no compromise. Cutting the bag open exposes the clean layering and reinforcement work that went into its creation. There is clearly skilled labor behind this product, with careful attention paid to each detail. Aside from the minor leather flaw mentioned earlier, the workmanship leaves little to criticize. The craftsmanship, therefore, merits a commendable score of 4.5 out of 5.
Cost Estimate and Pricing Justification
Estimating the true cost of the Wonton 20 bag involves breaking down the materials and labor involved. The leather alone likely costs around $65. Hardware and labor costs for skilled construction in Thailand can reasonably be estimated at $75. All combined, the total production cost is roughly $140.
With a retail price of €1,290, the price multiplier is about 8x. While this might initially seem steep, it falls within a normal range for boutique luxury brands. This multiplier accounts for design and development costs, marketing, import/export taxes, and the limited production scale that often comes with higher quality control.
Final Verdict: A Modern Classic That Earns Its Keep
After a full dissection and hands-on evaluation, the Boyy Wonton 20 emerges as a product that largely lives up to its hype. It’s not just a pretty face; the bag backs up its design with quality leather, precise construction, and considered structure. It does fall short slightly in the hardware department, and accessibility isn’t the most user-friendly. But these are minor trade-offs when viewed in light of its overall excellence.
With an overall score of 4.20 out of 5, the Boyy Wonton 20 represents one of the better values in the contemporary luxury market. If you’re looking for a fashion-forward yet grounded investment piece, this bag deserves a serious look.
Scorecard
TANNER'S APPROVED
★★★★☆ - 4.20
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