Started as a family business in a New York City loft in 1941, the Coach Leatherware Company has set the benchmark for fine quality and stylish women's handbags and luggage, briefcases and various other leather accessories for all. Using a technique inspired by a baseball glove to soften and strengthen the leather with use, Coach developed their first high quality handbags. This superior quality leather bag was designed to be durable enough to become a family heirloom.

While originally known for just the high quality of their product, Coach Leatherware wooed designer Bonnie Cashin to their business in the early 1960's. The newly designed Coach handbags became famous for their brilliant and untraditional colors as well as the functionality of the purses, wallets and accessories.

One of the features that made the new Coach line of handbags and accessories unique was that these varied products were designed to be matching sets whether created for men or women. Her enduring legacy was in including the brass toggle fastener that became a distinctive Coach trademark.

Admittedly, Coach handbags and accessories are a bit more highly priced than some competitor's products. However, this is in part because of the quality of the materials and manufacturing and also because an authentic Coach handbag or accessory comes with a lifetime guarantee. Damaged Coach handbags and accessories can be returned to the manufacturer regardless of the cause. The company will evaluate the piece and, depending on their assessment, will repair the product, issue a voucher for the value of the piece or offer a substantial discount on a new purchase.

Now sitting at the pinnacle of the craft, Coach Leatherware offers several series of collectible leather bags, cases and accessory items. The Business Collection contains such diverse items as the computer and cellphone cases, notepads, organizers, planners and matching briefcase. The Coach Travel Collection features an extensive range of luxury travel luggage and accessories.

The name brand recognition has allowed Coach to authorize and add watches and fine jewelry items to their inventory as well. The Coach name has been branded to an extensive collection of women's shoes that demonstrate the height of footwear fashion. Coach handbags and accessories are what is considered in the trade as "affordable luxury". While designed with high-class style the Coach handbags are still priced to be affordable to the middle-class achievers.

Unlike many of their competitors who rely on short production runs and rarity of each model to increase their collectible reputation, Coach runs a great many items of each model and design. They are trusting to the quality and increased use to make their bags sell at high-end prices. This "enduring quality" shows in such venues as the online auction. Here one can find a used Coach handbag that is not only still at its peak of service but can be obtained for a mere fraction of the cost of a new Coach handbag or accessory.

The Coach handbag is internationally known. From Asia and Australia to the Middle East exported Coach handbags and leather accessories enjoy a large overseas demand for these high quality leather goods. It is however, from some of the areas the authentic Coach handbags sell the best, they are also the areas from which the most of the counterfeit handbags come from that try to flood the market. Imitation is a sincere form of compliment and Coach is a most sought after brand.