NEW YORK — Coach is bringing the whimsy back to New York Fashion Week.
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, Coach kicked off NYFW a day before the calendar's official start with a glittering anniversary show celebrating 85 years of the iconic New York brand.
Ahead of the show, famous faces like Storm Reid joined fan-favorite singers Troye Sivan and Ayra Starr in Coach's front row, while global brand ambassador Elle Fanning made a glamorous entrance in a "Paris cool girl"-inspired look featuring a bold leopard print coat styled over a black button-down and a red leather pencil skirt, which she topped off with a sideways-leaning black beret. The "Margo's Got Money Troubles" actress flashed her white, floral-adorned Coach Tabby bag as she took her seat next to Sivan,
and the two giggled and gabbed while posing for photos.
Taking over Manhattan's sprawling Pier 36 venue, Coach transformed the industrial space into an expansive, dimly-lit bar-like interior arranged with beige monochrome tables, sleek sofa seating and a matching carpeted runway. Each small table was adorned with bar snacks and leather-bound folios, designed to evoke bar menus, featuring the brand's collection notes.
Before entering the chic set-up, guests were greeted and walked through a draped tunnel entrance lined with vintage TVs playing clips of cultural Coach moments over the years, before being served the evening's signature drink: the Coach 85, a special anniversary cocktail made with Tanqueray gin.
When it comes to NYFW, Coach has always been known for showmanship. So it only made sense that at 85 years, the brand was going to pull out all the celebratory stops.
The show began soft and dark. The few looks to descend the runway were in a muted neutral color palette featuring dove gray, soft browns and black leather tones. Coach is known for mixing fun and functionality with funky and fresh takes on its classic designs such as tailored jackets and coats, as well as its leather accessories from the brand's iconic Tabby bags to the latest vintage-inspired Kisslock pocketbooks.
As the runway continued to showcase dark leather and crochet knit tops along with silky bias-cut dresses and skirts styled under sun-faded jersey trenches, the collection began to transition into light periwinkle, powder pink, and mint tones with reflective metallic finishes.
Gradually, the looks acquired more sparkle and more vibrant, glittering metallic shades. Evoking the idea of a post-party look, the garments were accessorized with deconstructed party favors such as leather party crowns, metallic pointed hats and gift box bow brooches.
Models, who also wore dangling crystal pendant necklaces, walked down the runway holding metallic packages, birthday cards and Coach's large extra-large bags rubbed with gold and silver metallic foil and confetti — which was also strategically placed on the garments as well as on the model's bare skin and hair for the perfect amount of sparkle. An unconventional but celebratory beauty look.
By the finale, the runway was filled with a whimsical display of confetti-covered Coach looks, including glittering metallic gowns featuring large taffeta bows.
And just as the last model took their final walk, the theater curtains behind the runway opened to reveal a live orchestra from UpBeat NYC upon a pink illuminated backdrop with a neon sign that read "The Coach Club." As the models returned for the finale, they were joined by a string of voguing dancers in all-black ensembles, to the tune of joyous disco music. And as in any good party, metallic confetti was released from the ceiling and fell around the room.
The show then transitioned from the runway space into the show's official anniversary celebration, where the festivities continued through the night on the pink-illuminated dance floor equipped with a giant disco ball and resident DJs. No one throws a party (or hosts a runway show) quite like Coach.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elle Fanning, Storm Reid bring the front row fun to Coach's fashion show
