Jean-Michel Basquiat is largely considered one of the most influential and important artists of the 20th century. Widely known among the downtown New York art scene of the 1980s, his work was rich with references to American pop culture and African art, with key elements from his work being known and recognized around the world. To this day, over 30 year after his death, Basquiat’s boundary-breaking work continues to resonate with the modern art and fashion crowd.
Now, Coach is collaborating with the artist’s estate, in celebration of the artist himself and his collection of work. The brand has just released a collection of RTW, handbags and accessories worn in the brand’s newest ad campaign by a new generation of revolutionaries. The campaign includes Jennifer Lopez, Michael B. Jordan, Jon Batiste, Diana Gordon as well as the artist’s own niece, Jessica Kelly.
I’m not an elitist but an autodidact who would like to be a part of the family of artists
—Jean-Michel Basquiat
Creative director Stuart Vevers worked alongside Basquiat’s estate to create the collection, using the visionary artist’s work to inspire him. The artist’s most iconic motifs are featured throughout the collection, all of which Basquait used throughout his work. A promient fixture of the NYC art scene, the NYC skyline appears throughout this new collection. Many of Basquiat’s first works appeared on the streets of NYC’s Lower East Side neighborhood, making New York a pivotal element for Basquait’s creations.
Two other key focal elements are seen throughout the collection—a crown, and a fun dino Pez Dispenser, which was seen in the 1984 work of the same title. The crown is a tradermark from Basquait’s early graffiti days, and it is said to symbolize power and status, but it can also speak to the cost of fame. The Pez, was illustrated by Basquiat and resembles a T.Rex. The addition of a crown atop the mythic movie monster suggests a statement on pop culture and inequality. Check out more from the campaign below.
Shop the Coach x Basquiat collection
The bags are not me, but I think they are really fun! I love J. Lo and I think she is a really representing the American dream. She worked really hard to get to where she is and hasn’t given up on her roots. Coach has decided to discard “stuffiness” as part of their brand, and is aiming to represent the younger, less white, generation – who is more diverse, more influenced by streetwear and is more “free-form” than Coach has historically been known for. This collabo represents that really well.
I am a plain bag sort of person, but the clothing would be a really fun addition in my wardrobe. I think it is hard to translate conventional art into handbags – whether it is street art or fine art. I think the easiest art to translate is really sculpture – since it is also 3D.
God, I really don’t like those. I miss 2007 Coach quality and materials / design.
I miss Coach classic designs, materials AND American artisan workers from decades earlier!
i do like the mens bag with the NYC skyline but the two women’s bag are a horror!
who buys what J LO is selling? sigh!
Perhaps Coach thought J-Lo could help rep the NYC identity of the collaboration, since J-Lo and Basquiat are both NYC artists/public figures and Coach is (or, at least, was) an NYC brand? Disclaimer: I have no problem with criticizing J-Lo and Coach, rather I am just trying to understand Coach’s decision-making.
exactly my thought. Who in their right mind would buy a funky purse promoted by a withering 50 year old woman that their parents idolised in their youth-yuck!
Can we see a screenshot of you ?
Then we can all take a vote and see how you measure up next to j-lo.
Hater
“withering 50 year old woman”
If JLo is “withering,” then the rest of us are downright mummified.
haha this gave me a good chuckle…while layering my 37 anti aging creams and serums lol
Exactly, she looks so desperate and who knew oversexed 50 year old jlo was the coach demographic lol
Coach needs to locate a better brand ambassador ASAP. It is putting me off the brand big time. JLo and ARod are not the model couple in town.
My favorite so far was Alexa Chung for Longchamp, she fit the brand aesthetic perfectly and exuded Parisian effortless chic. I bought the LC pliage cuir just so I can emulate her-haha!
Great point! Also, she gives off the vibe that she really doesn’t like carrying Coach bags, but seems more comfortable carrying Hermes.
I like these better than anything LV has done recently tbh
Artists creations and design are always open to interpretation and critique by the public. My assessment, as both an artist and lover of art history, is that while these designs are lyrical in nature they don’t translate well to the medium. Also, the design can be difficult to accept, due to its graffiti type nature, and I understand if public enthusiasm and interest is less than stellar and/or lacking.
Very well said
This collection feels exploitative to me but I’m sure the clothes will do well…not too sure about all the bags.
For me, it reads too juvenile.
Slapping a graphic on a bag is NOT a collaboration – it’s a gimmick
“Withering 50 year old woman?” How old is she to believe that “”50” is “withering?”. Anyway, when she reaches the age of maturity she’ll look back at herself and laugh, as we are all doing now.
I feel that someone like Jennifer Garner would be a better Coach ambassador. She’s more relatable, down to earth, normalized and classy vs. glittery over the top showy like JLo.