What’s the Story Behind the Horse & Carriage Logo?

If you’re familiar with Coach, chances are high that you’ve seen our Horse and Carriage logo in some way, shape or form. The motif has been synonymous with the brand for decades, ever since it was introduced as our first logo in the 1950s. Horse and Carriage represents our heritage in New York City and our legacy as the Original American House of Leather, making it an enduring symbol of our brand story and purpose. Read more about the iconic code below.

In 1941, Coach was founded as a leather goods house in New York City by Miles and Lilian Cahn. Their vision of practical and stylish things for daily life paved the way for Coach’s lasting approach to fashion for living in. To this day, Coach makes functional pieces crafted of high-quality leathers, meant to be used and worn for any (and every) occasion. The Horse and Carriage logo pays tribute to this tradition by representing leather craftspeople and harness-makers in New York from a time of horse-drawn carriages. It’s an homage to everyday life and the versatile beauty of leather—a timeless symbol of Coach’s heritage of craftmanship.

At its core, the Horse and Carriage logo is an emblem of where we’ve been and what we always strive towards as a house of leather goods. The leather harness in the motif is a representation of the beautiful yet functional pieces we craft for daily use. And it’s a reminder of what makes Coach distinctive: high quality leather, expertly crafted to bring timeless designs to life. Our collections today include a wide range of durable leathers—from natural grain to Nappa to pebbled—each one offering its own style and product benefit. Our founder Miles Cahn invented one of our signature leathers called Glovetanned, which was inspired by baseball gloves and designed to get better with time. Glovetanned leather made Coach a household name—and remains one of our most iconic leathers today.

This iconic logo has an undeniably classic look. But that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate it into your personal style and make it feel unique to you. That’s the beauty of a timeless motif—it’s versatile and adaptable. For ideas on how to style some Horse and Carriage essentials, keep reading below.

• Horse and Carriage Chain Strap: The most obvious way to style this chain strap is by adding it onto your bag, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you could also hook it onto your pant loops to accessorize your outfit in an unexpected way. Just play around with where you hook it on to play with the way it hangs.
• Horse and Carriage Hoodie: Wear this cozy staple with a mini skirt and Coach Soho sneakers for a sporty vibe. If you get too warm, you can take it off and drape it over your shoulders to complete a preppy-chic look.
• Horse and Carriage T-Shirt: This is the top for you when you want the simplicity of a white T-shirt but with more detail to make things interesting. A foolproof way to style with this one is with blue jeans and sandals. Your go-to summer outfit is set.
• Horse and Carriage Print Silk Scarf: Never underestimate the power—and versatility—of a silk scarf. This Horse and Carriage print version adds a pop of color to any look. An easy, everyday way to style it is by tying it onto your favorite bag as a final, personal touch.