The History of Coach Shoes

Coach is a brand that was developed in 1941 and is best known for its exquisite handbags. Using quality leather, Coach makes other products, such as clothing and many types of accessories, such as shoes, jewelry, sunglasses and belts. These products are featured in Coach stores and department stores all over North America. In the mid-1990s Coach introduced a line of shoes. Since then, Coach has continued to produce shoes for women and men.

How Coach Became a Brand

What started off as a family-run workshop in Manhattan has grown into an empire that, as of 2008, had 297 stores in North America as well as products featured in over 900 department stores. Coach is a company widely known for its accessories such as footwear that, along with other products, are rich in heritage.

The Heritage of Coach

According to the company's web site, early on Coach was owned by a group of artisans that "handcrafted leather goods using skills handed down from generation to generation." Coach products were different from other products on the market at the time because their leather was made softer and stronger like a baseball glove. The glove had distinct markings and supple leather that inspired the first handbag ever made by Coach. Since then, Coach has continued to be innovative with leather by designing new finishes, grains, textures and colors. These innovations with leather have defined Coach shoes.

The History of Coach Shoes

Manufacturing of Coach shoes began in the mid-1990s behind the creative talents of lead designer Reed Krakoff, who is the president and executive creative designer of Coach. At around this same time, Coach began to use the distinctive "C" design on its products, which is now its signature logo. In 1999, Coach footwear became a licensed product with Jimlar Corporation. Although Coach's footwear is not its most popular item, the brand provides a large array of shoes for customers to choose from.

Women's Footwear

Coach's line of women's footwear includes many pairs of sneakers, such as the 2009 Kathleen or Barrett style sneaker, or the Birch style hightop sneaker. Along with sneakers, Coach makes heels, wedges, platforms and thong sandals. When the Florence sandal debuted in 2009, it was featured in the March 2009 issue of Glamour Magazine, on a page that featured "Seriously Strappy Heels."

Men's Footwear

Coach shoes for men include flip flops, sneakers, loafers, boat shoes and boots. All styles are made from leather, suede and other high-quality fabrics. To go with its line of men's shoes, Coach also offers other products, such as wallets, briefcases, watches and belts. Celebrities such as Ryan Reynolds have been seen sporting the Coach Hamptons satchel for men.