At Pier 36, against the shimmering expanse of the East River, Coach set the tone of Spring/Summer 2026 with a richly New York show. As guests moved through sepia-toned scrims depicting the city’s majestic architecture, this collection saw Stuart Vevers, the brand’s longtime creative director, once again distil the energy of the Big Apple into clothes that honour its rebellious spirit and glamour in equal measure.
“I thought about a delicate balance of polish and shine with grit, a pairing I think of as very New York,” he explained. “And by grit, I mean resilience, and the beauty of how the city comes back to life every morning… The glamour of the steel and glass made more beautiful by the bleaching sunlight, the patina of time, and the buff and burnish of life in our shared city.”
That duality played out across the collection. Clean, simplified forms gave way to unexpected textures: suede, nappa and distressed denim softened by waxy treatments, rub-off foils and sun-faded finishes. The palette shifted from crisp whites, tans and camel tones to bursts of pastel blue, yellow and green, punctuated by a flicker of metallics.
Tailoring, from oversized trousers to cropped jackets, lent a sculpted element, while romantic tulle and organza dresses—beautifully appliquéd with stars, balloons and clouds—offered a whimsical counterpoint.
Accessories, the bread and butter of Coach’s legacy, extended this stripped-back yet sentimental spirit. The House’s iconic Kisslock hardware frame reappeared across the new Barrel Bag, Bleecker Bucket and an updated clutch iteration of the Tabby, each rendered in leather, suede, metallic foil or repurposed materials. Footwear, too, underscored Vevers’ narrative, with the Soho Sneaker—recast with straps, appliqués and metallic shine—joined by sturdy workwear boots and delicate lace-up flats. Jewellery drew on both Victorian charms and 90s-style functionality, with heart-shaped lockets and tiny books etched with love notes, and Kisslock neck pouches dangling effortlessly around the neck.
It was Vevers’ love letter to the city—resilient, romantic, and always alive with possibility.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.
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