Coach’s downtown Toronto location was packed Wednesday night as the industry filed in to toast the 75th anniversary of the label and the release of Coach: A New York Story of Cool, a scrapbook-style publication dedicated to the brand’s history. As a close friend of the brand, Dree Hemingway joined the fun and we caught up with the model/actress/influencer on:
Coach as a brand:
“Coach for me is an iconic American brand. I like how it’s grown from the menswear brand, inspired by baseball, and it’s wrapped its way around with these beautiful handbags that were iconic in ’60s and ’70s, and now as a incredible clothing line.”
Stuart Vevers’ transformation of the brand:
“Stuart has really managed to bring the true Coach identity and mix it with that kind of English fun vibe that I love. There’s an upscale quality that meets a playful child. He’s a creative genius—I love him!”
Fashion memories:
“I remember being obsessed with Jessica Stam. When she first came out, I remember liking her because she had a more athletic body but there was a sweetness about her and it gave me confidence to pull off things.”
Her style:
“I don’t mind wearing gowns, but I have to bring the tomboy to it. So if it’s a gown, no makeup, no hair. When it’s really tight, I feel like I don’t have the personality to uphold it.”
Who inspires her:
“I’m inspired by people who don’t follow any rules. I’m inspired by confident women.”
The election results:
“It’s sad, because you think you know people, but I had to register that Hollywood and fashion are much smaller [worlds] and I’m clearly very consumed by it.”
Her favourite Coach pieces:
“I have the combat boots which I’m really obsessed with. My other favourite is the dinosaur sweater.”
This interview has been edited for clarity