For what looks like one of the first major designer collabs of the year, Coach collaborated with BAPE on a limited-edition capsule. The collection of outerwear, ready-to-wear pieces, and accessories lifts popular iconography from both labels, including Coach’s distinct logo pattern with the Japanese streetwear brand’s gorilla logo and shark teeth motifs, to introduce a new tier of designer streetwear.
Monogrammed leather accessories, like the Coach Academy backpack, have been updated in funky colors that merge the sophisticated cool of the designer’s native New York with the lambent energy of Tokyo. (This was further realized in the accompanying lookbook, which was shot by Quil Lemons in both the Ebisu District of Shibuya in Tokyo and Williamsburg in Brooklyn.) A brown puffer jacket has been cut in leather and stamped with Coach’s monogram as the designer debuts its own take on the streetwear classic. Even BAPE’s signature sneaker, the BAPESTA, has been reimagined to celebrate the footwear’s 20th anniversary. Hoodies printed with BAPE’s guerilla-style gorilla print and with the cartoon shark graphic placed on the hood’s exterior have become street icons on their own, but this time around they’re aligned with the aesthetic values of Coach.
As the collection rolls out, city-exclusive T-shirts will be released in select cities including New York, Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles, and London. The Coach x BAPE collection will launch in select stores and online on February 22. See more looks from the collection below.
Before all eyes shift to London as fashion month continues in Europe, we look back at some of the best parts of New York Fashion Week Fall 2020. Oversized fits seemed to be on the wane as brands like N. Hoolywood and Coach opted for more fitted silhouettes, Helmut Lang abandoned the runway entirely and revealed its collection on Christopher Street, and Nike introduced us to sportswear for the future. Here’s what you missed at #NYFW2020.
The Japanese designer returned with a more formal and structured collection of looks, a smooth departure from the oversized silhouettes that were presented during Spring 2020. The predominantly monochromatic collection elevated traditional tailoring with a mix of alternative fabrics like velvet and neoprene, resulting in a collection that sits comfortably between post-punk and Reservoir Dogs.
Tom Ford didn’t show in the city this season — he moved his show to Los Angeles — but for technicality’s sake, he’s still included. He showcased his penchant for creating clothes oozing with star quality, with gleaming fabrics and rich textures adding a contemporary spin on classic looks.
Coach continues its love affair with the ’80s with another New Wave inspired collection of colorful looks. This time around, dangly earrings were out in full force and accessories and a few select garments were adorned with Jean-Michel Basquiat illustrations. To really drive the theme home, Queen of New Wave herself Debbie Harry of Blondie closed the show.
An equestrian theme punctuated the collection, with plenty of riding capes and leather saddlebags to keep you covered on your next upstate rodeo. Additionally, matching his-and-hers ensembles touched upon gender-neutral styling.
With its collection of bright and practical sportswear pieces, made with premium performance fabrics, Nike looks ready to take us to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and beyond.
The French brand delivered strict tailoring that added a rough edge to both menswear and womenswear with a touch of rock n’ roll. Beyond the runway, it was Parisian cool brought stateside.
Images by: Sunil Gupta.
Helmut Lang opted out of runway show this season and instead unveiled its Fall 2020 collection with a West Village editorial shot by Sunil Gupta that was inspired by the rich and subversive history of Christopher Street.
The Japanese designer entered the void with its abstract collection of well-crafted tailored looks that were mitigated with tie-dye motifs and premium denim fits.
Eckhaus Latta designs clothes for dystopia, playfully challenging convention and delivering an uncategorizable collection of festive looks for the end of the world.
Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim’s newest collection is a turn back to the roots of grunge playing on the “rebellious child” theme that the label is renowned for. The tailoring was expectedly perfect and this time around the duo updated their sharp fits with plaids, tweeds, and wools.
The brand continues its sustainable and simultaneously psychedelic message for Fall 2020 on a grass runway and a tree of vegetables. The pieces themselves take inspiration from utilitarian-wear re-done in Collina Strada patterns and colors for a light and vibrant take on a uniformity.
Jennifer Lopez joins Michael B. Jordan as the newest Global Ambassador for Coach. Her partnership with the brand will include a series of international campaigns beginning with the Spring 2020 season.
Lopez, like Coach, both started their path in New York City, and the 50-year-old singer/actress shares many of the same values as the 78-year-old heritage brand. Believing the power of self-expression, JLo is the ultimate face of the designer (a dream for any designer, really). “It is a timeless brand that I’ve always been a fan of and the upcoming collection really speaks to my personal style — an uptown downtown mix,” she said in a release. The brand is equally excited for JLo ever since she carried around its signature bags in her iconic 2002 video for “All I Have.” See video for nostalgia purposes below:
For its latest campaign for Holiday 2019, Coach invited an all-star list of talent to its winter shenanigans in New York’s Upper West Side. The “Wonder for All” campaign will also include eight short films written and directed by Bunny Kinney, which will be released throughout the season.
Joining in on the fun is a gaggle of sparkling personalities from supermodels to drag queens to award-winning directors and everything in between, all shot by industry veteran Juergen Teller. Some of the talent includes “Hot Girl Summer” rapper and viral sensation Megan Thee Stallion, Rupaul’s Drag Race winner Bob the Drag Queen, power-couple Tonya and Spike Lee, actor Miles Heizer, actress Yara Shahidi, and supermodel Kate Moss acting as the matriarch of sorts. The campaign also resurrects the American designer’s Horse and Carriage collection seen for the first time since it was launched in the ’50s.
Watch the Coach Holiday 2019 “Wonder for All” campaign video above now.
For its Resort 2021 collection, Prada will show in Japan. While the Italian designer is one of the mainstays during Milan’s own fashion week, it’s now one of the latest designers to travel to Asia to stage its presentation. Back in 2018, Dior presented its first Pre-Fall Men’s collection in Tokyo to critical acclaim. Both Coach and Tommy Hilfiger have staged separate shows in Shanghai. As the fashion industry continues to be consumed on a global scale thanks to streaming and social media, legacy designers are no longer anchored to one place.
Further details and an actual location for the Prada Resort 2021 show will be revealed at a later date.
For its latest capsule with actor and global men’s ambassador Michael B. Jordan, Coach partnered with Viz Magazine to launch a new collection inspired by Naruto. Jordan has long been vocal about his love for the anime series which premiered over 20 years ago and continues to influence a generation of anime and manga fans.
“With my name on this collection, it was important to design pieces that represent my cultural influences and my community; pieces that I could see my friends, family, and fans wearing with pride,” Jordan said in a statement. “As with all aspects of my work, this collection is about bringing fresh perspectives and unique voices to the forefront. Expanding into the fashion design space was rewarding beyond my expectations. I’m grateful to Stuart and Coach for providing me with the opportunity and expertise to execute a collection I’m extremely proud of.”
The new capsule blends Jordan’s signature functional style with Coach’s craft and is embellished with visual cues from the anime series, including a recurring eye motif that’s featured on several pieces. The collection includes a number of ready-to-wear pieces, like parkas and denim jackets, which have been enhanced with technical features including removable sleeves and adjustable straps, in addition to a selection of accessories like backpacks and hybrid sneaker boots.
The Coach x Michael B. Jordan collection is available in select stores and online now.
Prada is the latest designer to announce its newly implemented fur-free initiative, starting with its Spring/Summer 2020 collections. The Italian designer has worked with the Fur Free Alliance, an international group consisting of more than 50 animal protection organizations from over 40 countries, which has commended its strategy.
“The Prada Group is committed to innovation and social responsibility, and our fur-free policy – reached following a positive dialogue with the Fur Free Alliance, in particular with LAV and the Humane Society of the United States – is an extension of that engagement,” founder Miuccia Prada said in a statement. “Focusing on innovative materials will allow the company to explore new boundaries of creative design while meeting the demand for ethical products.”
Prada is just the latest to announce its decision to go fur-free — other fashion powerhouses, including 3.1 Phillip Lim, Coach, Gucci, and Versace, have also pledged to abandon the material going forward as sustainability efforts continue to be a hot topic. Good for them!
If you’re looking for something new to listen to on your morning commute, have no fear: Coach has launched its own podcast called Dream It Real. The American designer kicked off the series with Selena Gomez as the guest star last week, where she talked about self-care and her upcoming album. Today’s episode features the global face of Coach menswear Michael B. Jordan. In the latest, the Creed actor talks about his own struggles as a young performer in Hollywood. The episodes are hosted by Forbes’ “30 Under 30” writer and editor Heben Nigatu who talks about dreams and future with each of the guests.
The Dream It Real podcast series is released weekly on Wednesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and other channels. Have a listen below.
For Spring/Summer 2020, Prada has announced that it will present its men’s collection in Shanghai this coming June.
“China has always occupied a prominent place in Prada’s imagination: in particular, the city of Shanghai and its rich cultural life. The attitude and identity of Shanghai, its dynamic fusions of past and present, old and new, are sources of constant exchange and interest,” Miuccia Prada said in a statement.
The Italian label joins the growing number of American designers opting to stage their shows in the Chinese capital. Recently, Coach presented its Pre-Fall ’19 show there while Tommy Hilfiger presented its Fall ’19 show there last September.
Today marks the historical opening of Hudson Yards, essentially changing New York’s West Side to a culinary and shopping destination in a deconstructed traditional mall. With the Vessel marking a new outdoor landmark, restaurants like Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller’s newest addition and luxury shops are all within the comfort of an aesthetic feast. We round up a few highlights from the new shopping destination.
The fifth floor marks the spot. In between all the chaos, Louis Vuitton glows on one of the top floors of the building with a full view of the atrium and the Vessel across the square. The store will feature all the brand’s newest exclusive capsules, making it a new destination for everyone looking to get off Fifth Avenue.
With more than 100 stores and restaurants within the span of 40 blocks, you only need to know one fine dining destination — TAK Room is Thomas Keller’s new kitchen ready to elevate Hudson Yard’s high dining experience to a new level (spanning floors 5-6.)
On the first floor, Coach‘s newest store is just blocks away from their HQ, ensuring that everything is up to its highest standards. The store also houses the designer’s first New York accessories shop, with a collection of scarves, sunglasses, jewelry, watches, bag charms, and small leather goods.
Perhaps the biggest opening of the evening was Neiman Marcus‘ newest flagship, spanning floors 5-7. Occupying the largest space in the mall, the luxury department store offers an immersive shopping experience. At the vast new outpost, customers will find everything from Louboutin to Valentino. There to celebrate the opening was Liza Minelli, who christened the store with a soaring rendition of ‘New York, New York.’
Cartier was buzzing at the VIP launch serving black caviar amuse bouches in traditional uniform on the first floor. As one of the leading houses of luxury, you are sure to secure exclusive pieces of fine jewelry, timepieces, and prestigious accessories.
The British luxury goods brand has opened a 2,600-square-foot US flagship at the mall. The posh new outpost, which was inspired by the designer’s other stores in Paris and London, houses the label’s sophisticated men’s pieces and accessories.
For its latest campaign, Coach tapped the talents of director Spike Lee and brand ambassador Michael B. Jordan for a fashionable short film, titled Words Matter. Shot in a desert outside of Los Angeles, the grainy video features Jordan riding in on a motorcycle, wearing a leather ensemble as he confronted with stones scrawled with the words ‘Bigotry,’ ‘Hatred,’ and ‘Evil,’ among other things. He then replaces them with rocks that say ‘Love,’ ‘Truth,’ and ‘Dream’ as a testament to the American designer’s core values as a brand.
“I’m honored to get to collaborate with Giants in their respective fields, Michael B. Jordan and Coach,” Academy Award-winning director Lee said in a statement. “It was truly a Magical Day working, shooting in the Desert. Enjoy.”
The film was co-written by Lee’s children( Satchel and Jackson Lee) and styled by Jane How. Hair was done by Jove Edmond and Carola Gonzalez did the makeup. Watch the film below.
For Fall 2019, the label’s creative director Stuart Vevers presented Coach‘s collection in the historic American Stock Exchange in downtown Manhattan. The clothes were sleek and simple with a sharp injection of psychedelia, featuring an array of materials like leather, faux-fur, and shearling to complete the joyful and rebellious youth spirit that continues to fuel the American brand. The designer’s first male ambassador Michael B. Jordan was spotted in the front row, alongside actor and fall ’18 cover star Lakeith Stanfield and jazz musician and man about town Jon Batiste. Check out some pictures from the show below.
