Coach’s Fall 2025 collection, unveiled at the historic Park Avenue Armory, was a mixed bag of nostalgia, sustainability, and self-expression. Creative Director Stuart Vevers once again leaned into the brand’s American heritage, reimagining classic silhouettes and materials for a modern audience. While the collection had its moments of brilliance, it also felt overly reliant on retro aesthetics, leaving some to wonder if Coach is innovating enough to stay relevant in an ever-evolving fashion landscape.
Vevers’ vision for the season was clear: to celebrate Coach’s legacy while embracing sustainability and individuality. “My vision for Fall was to ground the collection in all the things that make Coach so distinct as a fashion house: our heritage materials and palette, our commitment to repurposing and ‘re-loving’ secondhand garments through craft, and our belief in the power of community and self-expression,” he explained.
The collection’s foundation was undeniably strong, anchored in oversized pants crafted from denim, moleskin, and suiting fabrics. These were paired with shrunken T-shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets, creating a balanced yet relaxed silhouette. The color palette stayed true to Coach’s classic tones—rich tan and faded black—with occasional pops of novelty from leopard prints, metallic knits, and intricate beading. While the approach felt cohesive, it also risked feeling predictable, as if Vevers was playing it safe by sticking to familiar territory.
Outerwear was a highlight, with cropped bomber jackets made from repurposed garments and floor-dusting trench coats in shearling and leather. A faux leopard fur coat added a touch of drama, while duffle coats and peacoats provided timeless elegance. However, the reliance on vintage-inspired pieces, such as dresses made from 1920s negligees and beaded gowns, felt more like a rehash of past trends than a forward-looking statement.
The collection’s commitment to sustainability was commendable, particularly the use of repurposed secondhand denim for all jeans. Yet, while the effort to embrace eco-conscious practices is laudable, it sometimes felt like a marketing checkbox rather than a fully integrated design philosophy. The ultra-baggy, skate-inspired pants that pooled at the ankle were a bold choice, but their ubiquity across every look made the collection feel repetitive.
Leathergoods offered some of the most exciting moments. The runway debut of the Twin Pocket Bag, inspired by a 1968 Coach archive piece, was a standout, as were the revamped Brooklyn and Empire bags in playful, compact proportions. The introduction of Loved Leather, a new vegetable-tanned treatment, added a fresh twist, while the Times Square Tabby, crafted from vintage beaded satin bags, brought a touch of glamour. Yet, even here, the reliance on archive-inspired designs begged the question: Is Coach innovating, or simply repackaging its past?
Footwear continued the theme of nostalgia, with the Soho Sneaker returning in new finishes like Loved Leather, silver suede, and leopard print. The sneaker’s customizable charms—poms-poms, jeweled bows, and shearling stuffed animals—were undeniably charming but felt gimmicky, as if trying too hard to appeal to a younger, Gen Z audience. Block-heeled loafers, buckle boots, and kitten-heel sandals added variety, but the stuffed animal slippers, while whimsical, bordered on costume-like.
The show’s setting at the Park Avenue Armory, with the Drill Hall transformed into a dreamlike industrial space. Brooklyn-based indie pop band Nation of Language provided a live soundtrack, performing their original song “A Word & a Wave” as models circulated through the immersive environment. The atmosphere was undeniably evocative, but it also felt like a distraction from the collection’s unevenness.
Coach’s Fall 2025 collection had its moments of brilliance, particularly in its commitment to sustainability and its reimagining of heritage materials. However, the collection often felt like a love letter to the past rather than a bold step into the future. While Vevers’ vision of American classics resonates with Coach’s loyal audience, it risks alienating those looking for innovation and modernity in a rapidly changing fashion world.
The fashion show attracted an impressive array of high-profile celebrities, industry insiders, and cultural influencers, making for a star-studded event. Among the notable attendees were Baron Schoenvogel, Lyas Medini, and Coco Jones, who were seen mingling with the fashion elite. Renowned figures from both the entertainment and fashion worlds, such as Tina Leung, Tanya Ravichandran, and Macrene Alexiades, were also present, adding to the event’s allure.
Personalities including Nadhir Nasar, Victor Varona, and Tommy Dorfman graced the occasion, while influential fashion figures like Todd Kahn, Steven Kolb, and Derek Blaberg added their star power to the momentous occasion. Other guests included celebrated fashion stylist Mel Ottenberg, rising music star Audrey Nuna, actor Rhenzy Feliz, and model Sierra Rena, among many others.
In the end, Coach’s Fall 2025 collection was a reminder of the brand’s enduring appeal but also a missed opportunity to break new ground. For a house with such a rich history, the challenge now is to balance reverence for the past with a fearless embrace of the future. @Coach; #CoachNY #CoachFall25
STYLIST: OLIVIER RIZZO
SET DESIGNER: STEFAN BECKMAN
MUSIC: FABRIZIO MORETTI
MUSICIANS: NATION OF LANGUAGE
CASTING: ASHLEY BROKAW
HAIR: GUIDO
MAKEUP: DAME PAT MCGRATH
NAILS: NAOMI YASUDA
LIGHTING DESIGN: NICK GRAY, RENEGADE DESIGN
LIGHTING PRODUCTION: 4WALL
AUDIO: ADI WORLDWIDE
VIDEO: B LIVE
PHOTOGRAPHY: ISIDORE MONTAG
EXECUTIVE PRODUCTION, FASHION SERVICES & MEDIA RELATIONS: KCD
