When black or neutral bags feel a tad boring, it’s time we started living it up with these — the Coach x Jean-Michel Basquiat collaboration is one that embraces fun and irreverence, while also honouring contemporary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and his raw neo-expressionist pieces. Here, Stuart Vevers worked together with the estate of Basquiat to breathe new life onto the American fashion house’s contemporary range of Fall 2020 accessories and apparel, lending a fresh graphic touch to some of our favourite silhouettes.
Bold motifs of dinosaurs, a banana, roughly sketched buildings and most distinctly, the Basquiat crown, make key appearances. Also significant are the stars of Coach’s global campaign — Jennifer Lopez, Michael B. Jordan, Jeremy Lin and Yang Zi, as well as Basquiat’s niece, Jessica Kelly, just to name a few. Coach will also release a number of videos on social media in which the cast discuss family, art, and the late artist’s legacy.
“Basquiat is one of my heroes,” says Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers. “He embodied the creative, inclusive spirit of New York and was a force for change in his community. I am proud to celebrate his work and values and help bring them to a new generation.”
We can definitely get on board with the geometry as well — two new shapes, the Triangle Bag 24 and the Square Bag are introduced here. The latter takes inspiration from the geometric forms of the New York City skyline, which informs that compact, boxy style, then refined by the use of buttery soft glove-tanned leather and a turnlock closure.
Elsewhere, the Rouge 25 makes a comeback in pebbled leather, or a mix of glove-tanned leather and suede, and since the versatile bag shape was inspired by fellow free spirits and rebels, Basquiat’s art couldn’t be more apt here. We’re also fans of the Beat Shoulder Bag 18, a style that comes with interchangeable straps and a thick gold chain hanging off its side. For men, the standout piece has to be the Wells Backpack, said to be a work-to-weekend style that comfortably holds a 15″ laptop. Add these stylish conversation starters to your wardrobe, and throw in a couple of hoodies and tees while you’re at it too.
Here’s a look at some of the pieces in stylised shots. For the full collection, view it online here.
The Coach x Jean-Michel Basquiat collection, from $215 for a t-shirt to $2,100 for a bag, available at Coach boutiques. View the collection online here.
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