When it comes to handbags, Coach has been the go-to brand for dependable, serviceable and well-made leather bags.  These days, however, Coach is shaking things up.  Poppy, the line aimed at the younger generation, carries all of the class and craftsmanship of the former collections, but features fabrics, eye-popping colors, more relaxed shapes and cool touches like graffiti and metallic. 

Poppy is a wild departure from the serious styles of Syndey, the prim and proper Julia, the no-nonsense Brooke, the ladies-who-lunch Kirstin, the urban Madison, and the industrial Alexandra.  While these former collections were unique in their own right, they had the common denominator of simple styling and basic colors.  In 2009, Poppy burst onto the scene and any handbag lover that snubbed Coach as being the handbag of choice for their grandmothers sat up and took very interested notice.

Poppy, like its namesake, pops. It is young, vibrant, colorful and unapologetically attention grabbing.  In the past, your outfit went with your Coach bag, which was content to simply stand in as a serviceable accessory.  With Poppy, you match your outfit to co-ordinate (and not upstage) your handbag. 

Is this a good thing?  Has Coach damaged its brand and abandoned its signature style? 

I believe this is a very positive step on a very pro-active pathway.  Coach has a solid reputation and years of experience to stand on.  Coach products are so well made, they last for years, if not decades. This new collection breathes fresh life into the brand, offering handbags that do not resemble anything Coach has offered before.  Even if you already own a Coach bag, you can easily justify adding a Poppy to your collection.  Coach has opened its doors and reached out to a new generation –a generation in search of luxury that can also be fun and energetic. 

Remember Eatons?  If you don’t remember this massive chain department store, there is a good reason for that.  Eaton’s was a Canadian institution that was born in the 1800s.  Like Sears and the Bay, Eaton’s was a household name for bridal registries, household goods, and quality items.  So what happened?  The world changed, but Eaton’s didn’t.  Stubbornly clinging to tradition, to the notion of “if it’s not broken….” was the downfall of this retail empire.  Eaton closed the majority of its stores in 1999 and sank into obscurity.  It is important for even the most traditional of retailers to recognize new target markets and expand to accommodate them.  By adding Poppy, as different as it is from traditional Coach collections, Coach is buying up shares in its own future and avoiding the mistakes made by companies like Eatons. 

While I’m not a fan of every bag in this collection – the Pop C Jazzy Hobo appears to be inspired by a bad acid trip - I am very impressed with the line as a whole.  The Storypatch Coach Poppy Swing mixes metals and fabrics for a classy yet cheekily sophisticated look.  The outside pockets and inside compartments keep the most disorganized divas on track.  I’m particularly loving the hot pink option for grown up Barbie girls.  It’s the way to channel Barbie without looking like you are playing dress up.  The Cherry, Pepper, Goldy, and Violette are white totes with vibrantly colored interiors.  Each bag features it’s namesake on the front in a smiling, exuberant cartoon character. There are even a couple of backpacks including one covered in metallic sequins. 

Poppy appears to be very well received.  Many of my friends (me included) own a Coach Poppy bag and flaunt them proudly.  Personally, I am already looking forward to my next Coach purchase.  I am also looking forward to seeing what Coach will come up with next. So cheers, Coach, to the success of an unexpected but lovable collection.