Designer Reed Krakoff to leave Coach in 2014
After 16 years of leading and directing Coach, Reed Krakoff is leaving the American leather goods company.
Call it a designer divorce.
After 16 years of leading and directing Coach, Reed Krakoff is leaving his post at the American leather goods company in June 2014. The designer told WWD in a piece published Tuesday that he wants to focus exclusively on his high-end, eponymous brand, which has quickly emerged as a favorite among the Michelle Obama's of the world.
Krakoff tells the publication that he hopes to "create more awareness" around the RK line. "We've had an amazing reaction to the brand, without much awareness," he says. "Whether it's been with Michelle Obama, or on the cover of Vogue or the windows at Saks or Bergdorf's. It's really to leverage the desire that we already see."
Krakoff is currently the president and execuitve creative director of Coach. Krakoff will continue to design the brand's collections up until his departure, although WWD reports shoppers will start to note changes in Coach's designs around the holidays.
The Reed Krakoff line is owned by Coach. Krakoff declined to tell the New York Times if he would try to buy the brand, although he did hint at looking at "different scenarios."
The news of his departure overlaps with strong third-quarter earnings report from the New York-based company.