Coach is a renowned American leather goods company that originated in Manhattan, New York in 1941. The brand was initially established as the Gail Manufacturing Company by a group of talented leather artisans. It was not until 1946 when Miles and Lillian Cahn joined the company that it truly began its ascent to becoming one of the most sought-after American handbag designers. The Cahns brought with them a wealth of experience in leather goods and handbag manufacturing, coupled with their astute business acumen.

By 1950, Miles Cahn assumed control of the Gail Manufacturing Company and recognized the profitability of the company’s wallets and small leather goods. However, his fascination with new technologies and materials compelled him to venture into the production of women’s handbags. In 1961, the company rebranded as Gail Leather Products, Inc. and commenced the production of handbags that bridged the gap between high-end designer pieces and low-quality knock-offs that inundated the women’s handbag market at the time.

Coach distinguished itself through the use of high-quality cowhide and the development of a process that yielded soft yet durable leather. The company’s fortunes skyrocketed when designer Bonnie Cashin joined the team in 1962. Cashin’s creative collaboration with Coach endured until 1974, revolutionizing the brand’s product line. Her incorporation of vibrant colors, innovative hardware, practical pockets, and other distinctive features propelled the demand for Coach handbags to new heights. Under her guidance, Coach expanded its offerings beyond handbags to include small accessories such as pens and key chains, as well as venturing into the shoe market.

In the mid-1970s, Gail Leather Products, Inc. changed its name to Coach Products, Inc. The company commenced offering its products via mail order and later expanded into department stores, specialty stores, and selected vendor partnerships. In 1980, it was once again rebranded as Coach Leatherware Company. Five years later, Coach was acquired by Sara Lee Corporation, an American food manufacturer. The new ownership facilitated the brand’s rapid expansion beyond New York, as it established specialty boutiques and expanded its presence in department stores across the United States. This marked the inception of Coach as the recognizable and widely distributed brand we know today.

In 2000, Coach underwent a pivotal shift when it was sold by Sara Lee and became a publicly-traded corporation. Presently, Coach boasts over 500 stores in the United States and Canada, as well as a wholly-owned subsidiary, Coach Japan, specifically catering to the Japanese market. Furthermore, the brand’s products are readily available in over 200 stores outside of the United States. The company’s headquarters are still based in Manhattan, and its product range has expanded to encompass not only handbags, but also clothing, shoes, eyewear, luggage, non-leather accessories, and fragrances.

Coach’s fragrance line made its debut in 2007 with the launch of the eponymous women’s scent, Coach. The brand’s fragrances are now offered in collaboration with Estee Lauder Companies. With an impressive collection of 35 perfumes in their fragrance base, Coach has collaborated with notable perfumers such as Antoine Maisondieu, Natalie Gracia-Cetto, Olivier Pescheux, Shyamala Maisondieu, Nathalie Lorson, Honorine Blanc, Firmenich, Jean-Christophe Hérault, Anne Flipo, Bruno Jovanovic, Marie Salamagne, Celine Barel, Juliette Karagueuzoglou, Nadege le Garlantezec, and Sonia Constant.