In recent months, COACH has launched a sub-brand called COACH-topia. As a side note, if I'm talking about it here at SOSNU Co., there is an absolute chance it involves some degree of sustainability or circularity.
COACH-Topia is a collaborative and inclusive start-up community of the brand’s designers, key partners and hundreds of Gen Z individuals interacting on the company’s Slack channel with products, concepts, and campaigns. Coach's primary mission is to advance a circular fashion system that creates more sustainable products from waste in order to reimagine the end-to-end process.
As is the case with many other conventional luxury brands, COACH is fully aware of the fact that new products and materials contribute 38% to the fashion industry's greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, they are seeking to minimize their environmental impact. They understand the younger generation of shoppers are much more conscious and adamant about spending money with brands that take accountability for their impact on the climate crisis. Therefore, COACH founded COACH-topia, based on circularity. COACH-topia is a sheer reimagining of the product lifecycle - forcing the brand to design backwards. Coach designers are exploring innovative technology to make and remake their products. In addition, they are using creative design innovations to keep their products and materials out of landfills.
As a means of minimizing virgin raw material use, COACH-topia designers create newness using what's already available. They use recyclable, renewable materials found in COACH’s production waste. The makers have recovered at least 50% recycled leather scraps, 95% recycled cotton, 70% recycled resin, 100% recycle polyester, and 40% bio based renewable sugarcane EVA to design beautiful offerings.
The brand has released Ready-To-Wear, shoes, bags and small leather goods all created with the “Made Circular” design philosophy. The products are easily disassembled with removable screw back hardware and detachable leather handles and straps. This design innovation will hopefully keep COACH branded products and materials in rotation for years to come. COACH-topia hopes that through branding and collaboration with Gen Zers, they will be able to extend their reach and influence because they understand that circularity requires a shift in consumer mindsets.
SHOP COACH-topia
Shop COACH-topia online or visit one of the brand’s Reusable Stores. These Coach-topia pop-up stores also reflect the “Made Circular” philosophy completely. Everything from the hangers, fixtures, décor and even furniture is made using upcycled COACH materials or locally salvaged. Lastly, in the spirit of full circularity, all COACH-topia products can be traded in COACH retail stores in exchange for credit towards brand new items.
Sources:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-coachtopia-a-new-world-of-circular-craft-from-coach-powered-by-community-building-towards-a-better-future-for-our-planet-301802641.html
https://www.coach.com/shop/coachtopia/about