Have you ever wondered if Coach is owned by Louis Vuitton? It’s a common question among fashion enthusiasts, and the answer may surprise you.
The Short Answer: No, Coach is not owned by Louis Vuitton.
But the relationship between the two brands is more complex than a simple yes or no answer. To fully understand it, we have to go back to the early 2000s.
The History of Coach
Coach was founded in 1941 as a family-run workshop in New York City. It started as a small company that produced leather goods such as wallets and billfolds.
In the 1960s, under the leadership of Miles Cahn and his wife Lillian, Coach shifted its focus to handbags. They developed new designs that were both functional and stylish, using high-quality leather and hardware.
The brand became popular in the United States in the 1980s and expanded globally in the following decades. Today, it’s one of the leading luxury fashion companies in the world, known for its iconic “C” logo and signature designs.
The History of Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton, on the other hand, has a much longer history. The brand was founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton himself as a trunk-making company. He revolutionized luggage design by creating flat-topped trunks that were lightweight and stackable.
Like Coach, Louis Vuitton expanded rapidly over time and became a household name associated with luxury fashion. Today it’s part of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE, which is one of the largest luxury goods conglomerates in the world.
The Relationship Between Coach and Louis Vuitton
So where does their relationship come into play? In 2001, Coach acquired a small luxury brand called “The Donna Karan Company” which included the high-end brand “DKNY”.
At that time, Louis Vuitton was also expanding its business and looking to diversify its portfolio. It saw an opportunity in Coach’s acquisition of DKNY and decided to invest in the company. In 2002, LVMH purchased a 5.2% stake in Coach for $100 million.
This move made LVMH one of Coach’s largest shareholders and sparked rumors that it was trying to take over the company. However, nothing came of these rumors, and LVMH eventually sold its stake in Coach in 2010.
The Bottom Line
So, is Coach owned by Louis Vuitton? The answer is no, but the two brands have had a complicated relationship over the years. While they’re not currently connected through ownership or investment, they remain competitors in the luxury fashion industry.
Whether you’re a fan of Coach or Louis Vuitton (or both!), it’s always interesting to learn about their histories and how they’ve grown into the iconic brands we know today.
- Key Takeaways:
- Coach is not currently owned by Louis Vuitton.
- In 2002, Louis Vuitton purchased a 5.
- LVMH eventually sold its stake in Coach in 2010.
- Despite their past connection, Coach and Louis Vuitton remain competitors in the luxury fashion industry.
Sources:
- https://www.coach.com/
- https://www.lvmh.com/houses/fashion-leather-goods/louis-vuitton/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/15/business/louis-vuitton-takes-52-stake-in-coach.html
With all that said, it’s worth noting that the fashion industry is constantly evolving and changing. Who knows what the future holds for Coach and Louis Vuitton? Only time will tell.