Coach continues to have no trouble creating unique, memorable experiences for digital fashion week. In the NYFW showing of the brand’s Fall/Winter 2021 collection, creative director Stuart Vevers presents pop culture icons of the present— from Michael B. Jordan to KJ Apa—alongside a ready-to-wear collection meant to last well beyond our time.

The pre-show entertainment is a love letter to American television. Vignettes written by Frances Frances parody everything from Friends to QVC-style infomercials. Jennifer Lopez lip-syncs to Blondie. Megan Thee Stallion does a killer Regina George performance. In invoking nostalgia for the past with famous faces of the present, Vevers and director Juergen Teller further the concept of ‘forever’ fashion introduced in the SS21 collection.

In the collection showing itself, the television is turned off to make way for a celebration of the outdoors. Models including Kaia Gerber, Paloma Elsesser, Xiao Wen Ju, and Binx Walton romp around the concrete jungle. Gerber stops to cuddle a dog while Walton relaxes on a pile of rugs. The playful vibe is complimented by Skipworth & Turner’s hit dance track “Thinking About Your Love.”

Nostalgia is not completely relegated to the pre-show. One sweater features a retro graphic of iconic character Mickey Mouse, while another showcases an eight-bit T-Rex. The color palette, meanwhile, sticks with red, blue, and earthy neutrals. The combination of these shades with oversized coats and flannel pants results in a delightful feeling of coziness.

Layers dominate many of the looks in the collection. Dresses are made winter-ready with the addition of wool-lined coats and quirky leggings. Red plaid is a recurring favorite, whether on sleeves or skirts or straight-legged pants. Because the backdrops of the lookbook are various city scenes, it’s all the easier for audiences to imagine how pieces from the collection would fit in their everyday wardrobe rotation.

The collection’s accessories stand out. Colorful gloves and socks add pops of color to otherwise neutral ensembles. Vibrant shades and soft knit hats elevate other looks from everyday winter fits into something truly fashionable. 

While the pre-show entertainment might get social media talking, the collection itself is strengthened by its simple, natural presentation. Coach FW21 gives us humor and nostalgia, but more importantly, it delivers looks we can live in all winter long.