The new line of Bonnie Cashion retrospective handbags and accessories has finally hit the Coach floors! Yah! Bonnie was an extraordinary woman who really set the gears in motion for Coach to become one of the most premier accessories companies in the world for woman.

When Coach launched back in 1941 it only carried mens leather goods. They needed a woman’s touch. Cashin came on board in 1962 to design an exclusive line of women’s handbags and accessories. One of her first creations for the company was inspired by her love of baseball. She liked the way the leather in a baseball glove became more supple with time, and was fascinated by the distinctive markings that were part of the leather. Taking this idea, she refined it by making the leather softer and stronger and ended up with the first Coach handbag.

Cashin was responsible for a host of brightly colored, uniquely styled bags. Many of these bags feature what have become signature features of Cashin’s Coach designs, which were called “Cashin-Carry” bags. Built-in change purses with multi-colored striped lining with top closures (placed either on the inside or outside of the bag), brass toggle closures (usually on her late-’60s and early ’70s bags) and, of course the tell-tale black “Bonnie Cashin” signature patch are all assurances that a bag is a Cashin design.

With her passing in 2000 the current design director, Reed Krakoff, wanted to pay respect to some of her most popular designs. “With the Bonnie collection, I wanted to fuse some of her archived vintage designs with our well-known modern aesthetic. The result is a playful reinterpretation of her iconic imagery and unparalleled talent for our latest spring collection.” There are several reworked tote bags and wristlets that showcase some of her sketches as well as her built-in coin purses on the outside! I think the designer would be proud. Check out the new line in stores now or at www.coach.com.