What do creators think is the coolest gift for your bestie this season? A Coach Tabby, of course
Finding the perfect present shouldn’t feel like a festive gamble—yet every year, the perennial ‘what to gift?’ question inevitably returns. It’s easy to get snowed under when that familiar dilemma rears its head. Rising above the noise is Coach, which invites us to slow down and focus on what truly matters this season—connection, celebration, and looking good whilst doing it. And no Coach piece encapsulates this sentiment quite like Tabby: a brand signature that continues to earn pride of place on wishlists, instantly recognised by its tab-shaped flap, buttery-soft leather, and hallmark ‘C’ hardware.
Aesthetics aside, Tabby embodies everything a great gift should be—sentimental, timeless, and inherently meaningful. It’s the kind of piece that becomes a quiet companion to life’s special moments, sitting atop shoulders or tucked under elbows as its wearer moves through memories with the people they love.
Echoing this thesis are local tastemakers and best friends Tia Harris and Maya Silwood, alongside Auckland-based creatives and twins, Rain and China Katayanagi. We invited both pairs into the Coach Commercial Bay store to choose the perfect Tabby Christmas gift for one another—sharing stories, laughs, and toasting to new memories with each other (and Tabby).
Rain and China. Although they were best friends from birth (yes, they’re twins), their love for music and fashion strengthened their fated friendship, and propelled the pair into DJ stardom. For China’s ‘nicheless’ style, Rain knew the Tabby collection was the obvious choice. Versatile in texture, colour and size; a Tabby is as versatile as China’s everyday style, and according to Rain, ‘a girl's Tabby will tell you exactly who she is.’ With this in mind, Rain opted for the Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 in Loved Leather, a style treated with a rub-off technique that reveals its base colour for a beautifully worn-in effect. Rain felt this style best represented her twin sister’s creativity and appreciation for pieces that are ‘a little bit different.’
For Rain’s clean and minimal aesthetic, China was immediately drawn to the Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 in Dark Stone. Not only was she won over by the deep earthy tone of the bag that would pair perfectly with her sister’s neutral palette, but it was the teddy bear bag charm that sealed the deal. China exclaimed ‘Rain has a collection of keyrings, but she doesn’t have a Coach one yet!’ Described by China as ‘cool and confident’, there was no denying that the Dark Stone Tabby was the perfect accessory for the girl everyone wants to be friends with.
With the Holiday break quickly approaching, Rain and China were excited to share that they will be travelling home to see family this summer, and they are equally as excited to play in different cities, and hit the gorgeous Kiwi beaches. ‘Picture this... you and your friends at Long Bay beach, drinking Pals. Your friend is live DJ'ing with a portable speaker and a DDJ-FLX4. You're swimming and laying in the sun. Then you go home, and get ready for dinner at Prego.’
Tia and Maya. From the moment they walked in, their friendship was palpable—revealed through their unique quirks and instinctive Tabby tastes. For Tia’s signature edgy-yet-effortless style, Maya immediately gravitated towards the Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 in Loved Leather. This particular Tabby also featured one of Coach’s playful charms—a dinosaur—which sealed the deal for Maya, who knows Tia’s love for all things prehistoric.
‘The second I saw the bag, I just knew it was perfect for her,’ says Maya. ‘I feel like she’d love any Coach Tabby, but this one especially—the rustic, edgy vibe and that little dinosaur detail made it feel so her.’
Each Loved Leather Tabby is one of a kind, with no two bags exactly alike—ideal for Tia, whose love for Tabby stems from a place of self-expression. ‘Over the past couple of years, I’ve really been coming into my own and embracing what I like without toning myself down. The Tabby collection is perfect because there are so many colours, textures and sizes. It lets people express who they are, which I love.’
As both friends swapped Tabbys (Maya receiving the Chain Tabby Shoulder Bag in Warm Brown—a style echoing her chic aesthetic), they shared the anticipation of spending the Holidays with friends and family, and of cherishing time together. “I’m so lucky to call her one of my best friends, and I can’t wait for all the memories still to come”, cements Maya.
Video & Imagery by KEVIN KU
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