IT TAKES A Village

Coach's Creative Director Stuart Vevers tells Bazaar India about his Spring 2023 collection with Tom Wesselmann, and why fashion is all about community.

- Priya Kumari Rana

Harper’s Bazaar: Ever since you joined Coach, what has been your creative approach towards the collections?

SV: “My vision for Coach is to reimagine the House’s heritage through the lens of the next generation, and the optimism and energy with which they see the world. I want to create a fashion world where all are free to express themselves as they really are, inspired by Coach’s story as a New York Fashion House.

I’ve worked with image makers like Steven Meisel, Juergen Teller, Tyler Mitchell, and all our Coach family to bring this vision to life. My team and I also introduced Coach TV, our digital format for runway presentations— which is a way to tell stories and connect.”

HB: What are some of the greatest takeaways from working at the world’s biggest Maisons that inspire your creations at Coach?

SV: “I loved my time at European luxury Houses, where I learned about craft, creation, and the discipline and imagination that goes into creating fashion.

I brought this passion for craft to Coach, known for its legacy in leathercraft. In fact, what drew me to the Maison is its rich story. At Coach, I knew I could express my belief that fashion should be about community—that it should be for everyone.”

HB: For the Tom Wesselmann collection, why did you decide to pay homage to this artist and how do his pop aesthetics match yours?

SV: “Tom’s vision as an artist was inspired by the extraordinary he found in everyday things. Similar to my vision for my collections, he played with references from pop culture to celebrate experiences that bring us together.