Inspired by the suppleness of an old baseball glove, Miles Cahn founded the company in 1941 in a New York City loft. Artisans hired by the Cahn family handcrafted soft leather into handbags and Bonnie Cashin was the company's first designer. In 1985, the Cahns sold the business to the Sara Lee Corp. and, in 2000, Coach went public. The company has grown to include men's and women's shoes and clothing, which are sold in stores throughout the world, as well as in their own stores. In 2006, Coach launched its first line of knitwear, designed by New York based Lutz & Patmos. From 2003 to 2006, Coach's revenues grew from $953 million to $1.71 billion. Its product line has grown to include watches, scarves, and outerwear.
Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry. Francesca Sterlacci and Joanne Arbuckle.