1941, the epitome of accessible luxury brands
| NEW YORK, USA | COACH

While many brands use monogram patterns as their symbol, the one that comes to mind when you hear the "C" monogram pattern is probably the luxury brand COACH.

In the world of luxury brands, which are often perceived as expensive and where ownership itself is a status symbol, Coach offers many items at relatively affordable prices while still maintaining a sense of luxury. To put it bluntly, wouldn't it be fair to say that Coach is an "accessible luxury brand"?

Founded in 1941 in New York City, USA, the company was established under the name "Gail" by Miles and Lillian Cahn and six craftsmen. It began as a workshop producing leather goods for major manufacturers. In its early days, the company mainly manufactured men's leather accessories. In 1958, they developed their original leather material, "glovetanned leather," and released the first bags using this material under the Coach brand name. Although it was only a collection of 12 items, the meticulous handiwork and high quality of the products were highly acclaimed and were even called "American Classic." At the same time, the company changed its name from Gail to Coach.

In 1973, Coach released the "Duffle Sack," a bucket-shaped shoulder bag made from glovetanned leather. This bag later became a major breakthrough for the brand and is now Coach's signature model.

Furthermore, in 1981, they opened their first directly managed store on 64th Street in Madison, New York, steadily solidifying their position as a luxury brand. Then, in 1985, a turning point came. With the retirement of the founders, the Kahn couple, the brand, famous for its T-shirts and underwear,

Coach joined the Sarah Lee Corporation, a global apparel manufacturer that owns Hanes. From then on, Coach, which had previously been a manufacturer of leather goods such as bags and wallets, shifted its focus to becoming a comprehensive fashion company targeting the global market.

In the 1990s, Coach revamped its image, which had previously been established as a brand for older generations, and redefined its target market to younger people. They then deliberately began selling at outlet stores at reasonable prices. Customers who experienced the high quality of Coach items at the outlets then began visiting the brand's flagship stores. This strategy led to further growth for Coach. This momentum continued, and in 2001, the brand launched its Signature Line, a canvas monogram pattern designed from the brand's initial "C," instantly establishing Coach's image worldwide.

Incidentally, the name Coach is said to originate from the Hungarian town of "Kocs," the town where the world's first four-wheeled carriage with suspension was manufactured. Therefore, "Kocs" originally referred to this four-wheeled carriage, but gradually the meaning changed to refer to the image of pulling the carriage and "transporting important people and things to their destination." They connected this image (= Kocs) with the feelings they put into their products and named their brand Coach.

While Coach is a popular brand among women, in recent years, its classic bags made with glovetanned leather, such as the duffel sack, have been re-evaluated as "Old Coach." Their durability and reasonable price have made them popular among men, especially in the resale market. Coach will continue to create bags for carrying your precious belongings, and will remain an accessible luxury brand for many people, now and in the future.