Coach, a leading New York design house of modern luxury accessories and lifestyle brands and America’s original house of leather, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year with COACH: A STORY OF NEW YORK COOL
At the heart of Coach is its unique heritage of craftsmanship and authenticity. This publication sweeps the span of Coach’s storied history, exploring the evolution and transformation of the iconic American company.
The scrapbook style layout, designed by internationally esteemed art director, Fabien Baron, spans from its beginnings of six artisans working in a small Soho workshop in New York City in 1941, steadily growing to the revered fashion brand it is today.
In its second decade, inspired by the cool and pulsating energy of New York City in the 1960s, the company’s owners, Miles and Lilian Cahn, envisioned an entirely new Coach brand that offered not only men’s leather goods such as key cases and leather slippers, but would also include women’s handbags and other accessories designed by the legendary American sportswear designer Bonnie Cashin. It would emerge from that period as an accessories powerhouse that defined American accessories and leather goods.
In 2013 Coach would see yet another transformation as Creative Director Stuart Vevers, took the helm and declared his commitment to renewing the modern definition of “American cool”— a concept that embodies the relaxed aesthetic and the accessible luxury that have become the hallmarks of Coach’s designs.
This richly and beautifully illustrated volume features new and archival photography, design sketches, landmark editorials and ad campaigns, imagery of Coach’s inspirational icons of cool, from Joe DiMaggio, Fred Astaire, Lauren Bacall, Robert Redford, and Ali McGraw, to Madonna, Prince, Chloë Grace Moretz and Zoë Kravitz, all set against the electrifying, fast-paced cityscapes of New York City, Coach’s first and continuous inspiration. COACH: A STORY OF NEW YORK COOL speaks to Coach’s devoted clients and fashion, style, and cultural enthusiasts alike.
Joel Dinerstein is the Clark Chair of American Civilization at Tulane University and the author of several books on the concepts of American “cool,” race, film noir, and popular music.
Deborah Harry is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known as the lead singer of the new wave and punk rock band Blondie.
Coach, established in New York City in 1941, is a leading design house of modern luxury accessories and lifestyle collections with a rich heritage of pairing exceptional leathers and materials with innovative design. Coach is sold worldwide through Coach stores, select department stores and specialty stores, and through Coach’s website at www.coach.com. In 2015, Coach acquired Stuart Weitzman, a global leader in designer footwear, sold in more than 70 countries. Coach, Inc.’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol COH and Coach’s Hong Kong Depositary Receipts are traded on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the symbol 6388.
COACH: A STORY OF NEW YORK COOL
Written by Joel Dinerstein
Foreword by Deborah Harry
Rizzoli New York / ISBN: 978-0-8478-497-2
PRICE: $75.00 U.S. / $100.00 Canadian / £50.00 U.K.
Paperback with slipcase / 336 pages / 800 color and black-and-white photos / 11″ x 14″
PUBLICATION DATE: November 2016
www.rizzoliusa.com
