Coach SS23 Tailors to the Eccentric Escapist
At Park Avenue Armory, Lil Nas X made his runway debut in the collection’s final look.
For Spring/Summer 2023, Coach creative director Stuart Vevers envisioned a tranquil New York City pier as the collection’s fashion-week birthplace. Under sunrise-inspired hues, a grand, dreamlike boardwalk and strikingly realistic city street plopped down inside the Park Avenue Armory, where the brand chose to debut its latest range.
Prior to the line’s unveiling, choreographed vignettes saw characters set the tone for the imaginative and romantic collection — among them, a couple lovingly strolled to the bottom of the pier, a squad of dancers mingled off to one side and a lone man wandered the set carrying a red balloon. Those simple moments of happenstance left the audience in a state of unified serenity, setting the stage for Coach’s fresh slate of classic American designs to enter the scene in distinctive tropes.
Trotting down the pier first was an army of double-breasted leather coats, accessorized with colorful iterations of the label’s Tabby bag and synchronized high-top sneakers. Thick, button-up coats in a slew of neutral tones trailed closely behind, before a band of hand-knit fisherman’s sweaters appeared, placing Vevers’ penchant for stylistic artistry front and center. Cottagecore took centerstage next, welcoming a slew of dainty gingham dresses with billowing arms and mesh neck constructions. Following, a flock of modelesque cheerleaders proved ready for a high-fashion pep rally, each wearing sweaters donning a singular block letter spelling out the brand’s name.
“With Spring, I wanted to evolve notions of luxury that place an emphasis on perfection,” Vevers said of the collection. “Inspired by the next generation’s fluid approach to fashion, the collection celebrates pieces that become more beautiful the more they are worn and loved, and references to the past rediscovered in the present.”
To conclude, Lil Nas X stomped down the runway in the collection’s final look: a patchworked, black leather vest and brown short-shorts with belted detailing. Marking his first-ever runway appearance, the MONTERO chart-topper’s arrival also celebrated his newfound affiliation with the House as a global ambassador.
“It was such a fun experience being part of the Coach show and walking on my first runway ever,” said Lil Nas X. “I’m super excited to make my debut as a face of Coach, a fashion house that believes in a lot of the same things as me. I can’t wait to share all of the other amazing things I’ve been working on with Stuart and his team very soon.”
Peruse Coach’s SS23 collection in the gallery above.
In more fashion week news, explore Tommy Hilfiger’s SS23 collection.
