Today we are going to look at leather goods for men. Yes, more and more of you are attaching importance to having a beautiful piece of leather goods to carry your computer, go on a trip or protect your touchscreen tablet.
As a fervent enthusiast, I decided to discover a big name in leather goods that came up a lot to my ears. This classic brand across the Atlantic, Coach , very present in this high-end sector, offers a wide variety of leather products, elegant accessories suitable for daily use in an urban environment. There are even glasses but I would be more suspicious since that is not their core business.
If you don't know, it's time to go to bed less stupid! I interviewed Greg Unis, the Vice President in charge of Merchandising for Coach's men's range. For those who do not master the language of Shakespeare, I have translated everything. I left my questions and his original answers in English so that everyone can check if my translation matches the gentleman's words.
Interview
Today we are going to look at leather goods for men. Yes, more and more of you are attaching importance to having a beautiful piece of leather goods to carry your computer, go on a trip or protect your touchscreen tablet.
Greg Unis, Senior Vice President of Men's Merchandising
1. What is your favorite task in your job? What are you passionate about regarding your job? / What do you like best about your job? What are you passionate about?
There are many things that I love and am passionate about in this job. The biggest is working with the product. We are creating products that guys today don't even know they need. Our mantra is to “improve men's lives” so anything that we can do to make their lives easier is really exciting.
There are many things that I love and am passionate about in my job. The most important is the work done on the product. We create products that today's men don't even know they need. Our motto is to “improve people's lives” and anything we can do to make their lives easier is really exciting.
Greg Unis, Senior Vice President of Men's Merchandising
2. What image do you have of Coach? What image does the brand want to present to customers? / What is your image of “Coach”? What image do you want to have with your customers?
I see Coach as an innovative leader in the accessories market. With the recent success of our men's brand we are realizing that we have a huge opportunity to present a strong lifestyle image that is desired by both men and women.
I see Coach as an innovative leader in the accessories market. With the recent success of our men's leather goods ranges, we understood that there was a big opportunity to embody a solid image of the lifestyle as demanded by men and women.
3. What are your plans at Coach? What is the direction you would like to go with the brand? / What are your projects ? In which direction do you want to go?
Coach is a brand that is rooted in heritage and is dedicated to craftsmanship and quality. The brand is transitioning to a global lifestyle brand that is anchored in accessories.
Coach is a brand that draws its roots in heritage [editor's note: the classic American wardrobe] and which is dedicated to artisanal and quality work. The brand is evolving towards a global lifestyle brand anchored in accessories.
4. What is your favorite piece in the men's collection (spring/summer)?/ What is your favorite piece in the Men's Spring/Summer collection?
My favorite piece is my Bleecker Courier Bag. It's extremely functional and just looks cool. I also love my leather racer. It combines all of the great elements of the Coach Men's brand.
My favorite piece is the Bleecker Mail Bag. It is extremely functional and cool. I also love my leather racer . It brings together all the elements that characterize the Coach brand.
5. What is innovative about the men's spring collection?/ What is innovative about the latest accessories collection?
The balance of style and function showcases the innovation and breadth of the spring collection. Spring is about the use of color and mix of fabrics and leather. We also have surprising pieces like a leather wrapped Tivoli Radio.
The balance between style and functionality demonstrates the innovation and breadth of the Spring collection. Spring, for us, means the use of bright colors that we work with leather and fabric. We really have some very surprising pieces like this “Tivoli Radio” covered in leather.
Some leather goods made by Coach.
6. What are the materials used and where are they produced? / What materials do you use and where are they produced?
Coach was founded in 1941 making men's accessories. The patina of a baseball glove was the inspiration for the leathers that were used back then. Today Coach Men's still uses the same glove tanned leathers that have the same rich patina that was so important to the Coach brand in the very beginning. We work with the top tanneries across the globe to source the very best materials available.
Coach was founded in 1941 and began its business with men's accessories. The patina of the baseball glove was the inspiration for the leathers that were used. Today, Coach Homme still uses the same tanned leather as that of the glove so dear to the Coach brand at its beginning. We work with the best tanneries in the world to use the finest materials possible.
What are the steps of creating a bag? What are the steps in creating a bag?
All of our styles, not just bags, are truly hand crafted by the most skilled craftsman in the industry. There are over 100 steps in making our bags and wallets. The attention to the construction and craftsmanship sets Coach apart in the market place.
Everything we sell, not just bags, is handcrafted by the most skilled artisans in our field of expertise. There are over 100 manufacturing steps for our leather bags and accessories. The attention paid to our products as well as the quality of the craftsmanship that we demand makes Coach a brand apart.
Artisanal work is a Coach desire
7. Do you have any collaborations in the work? Are you planning any collaborations?
We have an exciting collaboration with the renowned graffiti artist Krink, where he put his signature paint drip artwork on our new Bleecker Signature bags, and accessories.
We did an awesome collaboration with graffiti artist "Krink". He put his style on our new Bleecker Signature bag and certain accessories.
Krink X Coach Collaboration
8. How would you describe the place of leather goods in men's modern dressing rooms? Do you think that men are more interested in leather goods today? / How would you describe the place of leather accessories in the modern man's wardrobe? Do you think men are more attentive to this?
Men today are more engaged than ever in fashion and style. They want to look their best all the time and incorporating the right accessories into their wardrobe is key. They look for quality and craftsmanship in all of their pieces. They love the style and durability that Coach leather offers.
These days, men are more invested in fashion and style than ever before. They want to be seen at their best all the time. And having accessories that match your wardrobe is the key. They look for quality and craftsmanship on all the pieces they own. They love the style and durability that Coach leathers can offer.
Little house test of a Coach pouch
I wanted to get to the bottom of it to find out if all these beautiful marketing phrases glorifying Coach were not part of a very well-rehearsed commercial discourse. Even if it is normal for them to defend their work, we must still maintain reservations until we have confirmed the statements!
So here I am equipped with a Coach pouch/portfolio that I use when I have some papers to take, keys and my bus pass. It's much less bulky and more practical.
I had to use it every day for 2 weeks in a row because it helped me so much! Every time I had to pick up some odds and ends, I had to take out the not-so-nice Eastpack bag from school. But here I had the ideal alternative.
In essence, it is a pouch the size of an A4 sheet, with a single compartment and a huge leather tab for closing the pouch.
The exterior appearance is very clean, the leather does all the work. By the subtlety of the contrast between blue and brown but also by the grain of the leather, the delicacy and the reflections of it. At the first observation I am already pleasantly surprised by the rendering of the cover.
The authenticity label (in leather of course) and the back of the skin used.
The finishes are clean and well done.
Quality work, no superfluous details.
One last one for the end.
The stitching is regular, the leather does not crease and the colors are deep.
The final word
Coach, it is therefore certified! The products are very beautiful, the designs balanced. We find a lot of taste and care behind the objects. I appreciate this aspect, because to offer such well-thought-out articles, there is a lot of work and a real desire to please and satisfy your customers. Once again, we are far from the monogram plastic bag sold as “leather goods” (follow my gaze).
Okay, Coach might not be in everyone's budget ($128 per belt) but if you're willing to buy higher quality jeans, make sure the accompanying belt is at least up to par. In the end, the quality/price ratio is consistent, notably thanks to production entirely carried out in China (in fact the brand makes no secret of it , and the result would not necessarily be better elsewhere, without leaving this accessible price range ).
Moral: Forget low-end leather like H&M if you want to make a difference. Spend a little more on your leather accessories and you won't regret the quality. Especially belts that tend to crumble after 10 wears.
Above all, think about consistency (and then, without kidding, leather of this color and finesse is really enough to leave your Auto credit behind. Or almost!).
