What Makes an It Bag & Reinventing Internships for Gen Z
Our Hunch on Why Coach is Succeeding in a Post-It Bag World
Not being an It bag doesn’t mean no one is buying the product; it just means young people are significantly less interested in its allure.
Take the Mini Le Chiquito or the classic double flap—still holy grails for fashion lovers—but will your teenager ask for one this Christmas? Probably not. But you know what will be on their list? Coach.
Coach has hit its stride by focusing on growth and adapting to what people want, and they’ve tapped into their super fans to build loyalty. TikTok has played a huge role in this success too! Retail employee Brandon Nguyen (@branbran1997) shows off the brand’s versatility, while vintage upcyclers like @willdernesstyler inspire thrift lovers to hunt for unique finds. Plus, Gen Z stars like Bella Hadid and Olivia Rodrigo have been spotted rocking Coach, making it even more sought after. If you've been scrolling online lately, you’ve probably noticed the buzz around Coach’s bag charms. This approach connects with young people who care about sustainability and personalization and are often looking to consume less. By catering to diverse tastes, Coach has created an offering that empowers buyers to express their individuality.
Taylor Swift: Icon or Gen Z’s Ultimate ‘Pick-Me’?
Recognizing the pop culture figures that resonate with each generation is essential for understanding what your audience wants. When it comes to Gen Z, it’s time to shift the spotlight from icons like Taylor Swift to emerging voices like Chappell Roan, who feel more authentic to this demographic.
While millennials see Swift as a symbol of empowerment and personal growth, many Gen Zers view her differently. They often see her as embodying the “pick-me” girl trope—someone who seeks validation through a curated display of vulnerability that can come off as insincere. Our Youthtellers (ages 13-26) ranked Swift the most overrated artist of 2024. Here’s what one of our Youthtellers had to say: “[Taylor Swift’s] an average songwriter with an average pop singer voice and no unique qualities; I genuinely can't believe she's so huge while many other pop artists are nowhere near as popular as her.” 24 Y/O from HI
Fashion Week is Fading—and Internships Are Falling with It
New York Fashion Week has always been a cultural highlight, but lately, it feels like it’s lost some of its magic. Once an exclusive event for industry insiders and top designers, it now seems flooded with influencers and fast-fashion brands. As the allure of exclusivity diminishes, so does its impact.
This change reflects how internships are viewed by fashion world newcomers. What used to be a golden ticket to larger opportunities now often feels like a series of quick gigs, leaving many GenZers questioning their value in unpaid or low-paying positions. Unless internships begin providing real skills, meaningful connections, and fair compensation, their relevance may fade just like NYFW’s has. With the creator economy growing as a viable option for young talents seeking visibility and compensation, the stakes are even higher. For those in advertising, this shift highlights the need for genuine mentorship and relationship-building to foster the next generation of creative minds.
Exhibit A: (Click to view on TikTok)
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