Dreaming of a leather bag "antique", which faithfully lasts for many years, it is worth paying attention to the American brand Coach. Luxury handbags adored by Sandra Bullock, Eva Longoria and Gwyneth Paltrow, since 2008 can be purchased at boutiques in Russia.
Brand history
Founded as a small workshop in 1941, the company produced men's bags and wallets, making very modest profits. At the location, it was called Manhattan Leather Bags. Everything changed in the 60s with the advent of the Kang spouses in the family business. Miles was able to discover a new way of dressing the skin, making it soft and at the same time extremely durable, and his wife Lilian suggested making a collection of women's bags from the new material. Against the background of the use of thin leather by other companies, at the base of which cardboard was used, the first collection was a resounding success.
The invitation to the company of the famous designer Bonnie Kashin (1962–1974) brought almost revolutionary changes to the appearance of products already manufactured under the Coach brand. The image of the horse-drawn carriage on the company logo indicates a method of delivering goods to customers for their convenience at the dawn of business development. With the advent of Lew Frankfort (1979), sales methods expanded significantly, including the use of mail. Branded boutiques began to open (today they are represented in 30 countries of the world) selling branded bags, an online store appeared (1999). In 1986, the company was bought by Sara Lee Corporation, breathing new life into it.
Company Products
Today Coach is at the top of popularity in the USA. New York company is one of the leaders in the market for the manufacture, design and sales of luxury accessories: shoes, watches, jewelry and perfumes (more than one hundred items). She owns 25% of all sales in her country (the turnover of 2009, for example, amounted to 3.23 billion dollars). Leather goods are especially famous, among which there are exclusive offers, such as collars and leashes for pets. But the main success of Coach is bags for women of fashion who choose practicality and high quality products.
For their manufacture only high-quality leather is used. In the production of accessories, up to 70% of the prepared material is rejected, which makes branded bags with an antique look almost timeless. In addition to leather, textile is used, which often makes the product cheaper, but modern materials: nylon, polyester, PVC and jacquard are not inferior in consumer properties. The company updates its collections monthly, which is unique and distinguishes the Coach brand.
Bags: price, assortment
The goods are not sent to the Russian buyer from the official online store of the company. It is also impossible to focus on its prices, because an additional tax is provided for, which differs in each state of the USA. You can buy a bag from intermediaries, the price will depend on the demand for the model, season and discount system. Heavy-duty branded bags made of fabric are cheaper than their leather counterparts, but you will have to pay a lot for a new-fangled product. The pricing policy, meanwhile, allows classifying luxury products as affordable. On sales in the USA, which Coach regularly arranges, medium-sized bags cost between $ 150-200. The usual price ranges from 300-500 dollars.
The range of the brand is impressive: from large bulk luggage bags to women's clutches. Products in the form of a dome, a valise, a bag on the drawstring resemble reticules beloved by grandmothers. Because of these models, the Coach brand is often criticized, whose bags look somewhat old-fashioned. But they are so solid and functional that they justify a style that will always look somewhat antique. The company also uses modern forms: hobo shoulder bags, shoppers, volumetric totes. For business ladies, there are models that keep their shape perfectly. By purchasing an original sample, the consumer receives a product with perfect seams, high-quality fittings and a wide variety of compartments. For the internal design is as interesting as the external.
Signs of original Coach bags
The production of a New York-based company is now taken out of the country: not only the United States, but also Italy and China are engaged in manufacturing. A huge number of fakes is associated with this. How to understand that a genuine Coach bag is in front of the buyer?
The original must meet the following requirements:
- The presence of the original product number attached to the lining fabric (made of leather or textile).
- The presence on the outside of the bag is an embossed brand label.
- The presence of the symbol of the company on metal fittings.
- Use of YKK zippers with a piece of leather or a series of rings on a dog.
- Flawless seams without a single sticking thread.
- The presence of a brand symbol - two letters C, looking at each other. It should be either on the inside or on the outside of the product.
Observing precautions and correctly choosing a seller, it should be understood that owning a branded bag can make a woman truly happy.