be kind darling

Handcrafted modular leather and textile bags and accessories.

be kind darling
Open to the public
Yes
Provides courses or training
No
Available for craft fairs
Yes

Contact

Yen Foong

About

Visual and tactile storytellers — reinterpreting everyday functional objects into modern creations that inspire connection.
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Brian Kutsch, creative director of bkd • be kind darling, is a fine artist and industrial designer-maker from Detroit, USA, now based in London with his wife and their mini schnauzer.

He has spent over two decades designing footwear, bags, and lifestyle products for brands including Converse (Nike Inc.), Lacoste (Pentland Brands), and his own design and sourcing consultancy. His work has ranged from catwalks to sports performance courts to the streets. Leading global teams and managing product through to varying scales of production shaped his technical foundation and expertise - spanning materials, colour, trims, digital and physical pattern and mold engineering, testing and manufacturing processes - while deepening a lifelong interest in the role of craft in considered design.

In 2024, alongside his consultancy, Brian co-founded bkd • be kind darling with his wife to explore the convergence of art, industrial design, and traditional craftsmanship. Starting from a workshop in their front room, it took two years of design, sourcing, development, testing, and making to bring their first collection to life.

The result: a collection with two complementary ranges of handcrafted modular leather and textile bags and accessories. The collection is made in limited runs using UK-sourced heritage and endangered crafted materials, such as oak bark tanned leather from Devon; or innovative and sustainable materials, such as the Marlow Ropes Blue Ocean® marine rope - always ensuring at least 90% of the value chain remains within the UK.

The leather pieces are handmade by Brian; the textile range is created in collaboration with skilled UK artisans. Every article is designed for longevity, tactility, and quiet beauty in daily use.

Beyond the studio, Brian contributes to the British footwear industry as a member of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, mentoring students and judging emerging talent at the annual Cordwainers Footwear Awards. He also advises on curriculum development in footwear and accessories at the London College of Fashion, nurturing the next generation of designer-makers.

Mini craft gallery

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Collection0001 Leather
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Collection0001 Leather For Companions
Brian Kutsch