Did somebody say retail therapy? The second Coach Play has landed at A Place Where (APW). Earlier in the year, Malaysia rolled out the welcome mat for the first Coach Play in Ipoh after its unparalleled Coach Airways pop-up in Malacca. Renowned for its immaculate leathercraft, the leather goods brand has been on a hot streak recently—not just with its relevant designs but also becoming the blueprint of retail experiences in a league of its own.
If the establishment in Ipoh is a campsite for a city break, the latest addition in APW is a pitstop for urban dwellers to immerse themselves in the artistry of leather craftsmanship and printing. Now a creative haven and a retail hub, APW was originally a commercial printing factory that witnessed the heyday of letterpress. Its rich history can be seen in every nook of the space. Upon entering, we are welcomed by retro posters that double as the “reception counters”. Locally made stamps and graphics from The Royal Press Museum in Malacca too, can be found in The Archive Room, along with tools and imagery pulled from the brand’s time capsule.
Housing not just its latest offerings such as the rising star Tabby or the ready-to-wear range, the space is also home to the second The Coach Coffee Shop in Malaysia, serving Americana breakfast-inspired pastries, soft serves and drinks that are prepared in-house. Forget about picking between the savoury and the sweet, because the menu has something for everyone, from flavourful Pastrami Sandwiches to pillow-soft Cinnamon Rolls. The hot weather also calls for the signature soft-serve, with intriguing flavours like Cream Cheese Bagel, Pepperoni Pizza and more.
A global first, the interactive screen-printing service took centre stage. Available in four different colourways, the service offers a selection of ten different designs pulled from the Coach’s archival advertisements. That being said, you can bring home a printed shirt or a bag from the latest Fall 2024 collection if you join the digital rhythm game upon scanning the QR code that can be found in the store.
Enter The World of Coachtopia
The icing on the cake? The first Coachtopia is finally here.
Reversing the making process of a bag, Coachtopia is a sub-brand that makes leather goods by utilising the leftover scraps in the cutting room. Despite being waste-forward, the brand stands out as one of the very few sustainable offerings that do not compromise style. Joining hands with emerging creatives, the sub-brand also takes pride in being community-driven, collaborating with young designers and The Summer I Turned Pretty actress, Lola Tung to front the circular fashion launch.
The appeal to the younger cohort is apparent: fashion-forward designs that are not detrimental to the environment for the community, by the community. After its meteoric rise among the younger clientele in fashion cities like New York and London, the brand made its remarkable debut in Malaysia with a dedicated corner in Coach Play APW, featuring colourful shelves made out of Innocra, compressed with leftover leather from the cutting room. Creations—that have lived multiple lives—such as the Alter/Ego collection, Ergo, Wavy Dinky and also some of the garments are embedded with NFC chips that would enlighten us with the story behind the process of making—talk about transparency!
No booking is needed, the Coach Play APW is set to be the latest hotspot in town, whether to shop, eat or even a weekend hang out. Find out more here.
Address: Unit # C-01, D-01, A Place Where by APW, No. 29, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 10 pm, closed every Monday
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