Looking for a new fall bag, but one that’s more than just a pretty arm piece? Coach has got just the purse for you. Well, they actually have 48 different ones, all of which were created to celebrate the heritage brand’s 75th year in the business and will be auctioned off from October 19 to 28.
Of course the range pays homage to the history of this all-American label, with a slew of original silhouettes which were sought out, authenticated, and then spruced up by executive creative director Stuart Vevers. The reinvigorated styles include the slouchy Duffle tote, the equestrian-inspired Saddle bag and the adorably miniature Dinky, all of which were first designed in the early 1970s. Making these bags extremely Instagram-worthy, Vevers has updated them with hand embellishments such as studs, patches and, of course, fringe.
Eleven of these exclusive styles were created with Vevers’ celebrity pals in mind. The Lena Dunham is a black leather tote which is crawling with Coach’s mascot (a dinosaur named Rexy), Zoë Kravitz’s design is forest green and heavily studded, with a healthy dose of fringe, while Debbie Harry’s version has a patch that pays homage to her signature red lips. Other celebs with bag designs include Kate Bosworth, Dree Hemingway and Chloë Grace Moretz. A few of the bags come with a fun add-on, like Damian Lillard’s, which comes with a signed basketball and Gary Baseman’s, which arrives with framed work from the artist.
The starting bid for these celeb bags is $1,000, but those with additional goodies are much more; photographer Joel Sternfeld’s lime green purse and coordinating photo (which is signed) is starting at $7,500.
There’s really a bag in this collection for everyone. Disney lovers will appreciate the purses featuring Mickey, Dumbo or Bambi, each of which has been hand-painted by a proper Disney artist. Other purses come with an opportunity to visit the Coach archives, an invite to the brand’s next fashion show, a pin-embellished jacket and a sold out Apollo sweater from the Fall 2014 collection.
Coach won’t just be pocketing the proceeds from this auction, as they’ve pledged to donate the first $50,000 in sales to The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The center is engaged in preserving fashion history, so this charitable tie is not only stylish, but it’s relevant, too.
“This was a very personal project for me — many who gave their time and love to it are friends we’ve collaborated with since I joined Coach – so it felt like family. I am so happy to be able to support the cause of fashion scholarship and preservation by celebrating Coach‘s own heritage and craft with these inventive, unique pieces,” Vevers said in a statement.
