Coach’s New Fragrance Embraces the Freedom of the Open Road

What does freedom smell like? Well, despite what every ageing hippie with durag will tell you, it isn’t stale cigarettes and sweat caked on a Def Leppard shirt from 1989 – It’s something much purer. Freedom is about embracing what makes you feel alive, enjoying the stillness of solitude and riding the curves of life’s crazy journey. And that’s exactly what high-end luxury brand Coach has nailed with Open Road.

The latest men’s fragrance from the New York fashion icon arrives with a renewed focus on the important things in life – friendship, adventure and the optimism of a road trip along the American West Coast. Perfumer Jean-Christophe Hérault has managed to capture that essence in a bottle, delivering a dynamic eau de toilette that is equal parts crisp and vibrant.

Coach Open Road opens with refreshing top notes of juicy red apple and sparkling lemon Primofiore, which the brand says is reminiscent of the “winds of adventure”. From there, you’ll notice a dose of spicy Sichuan pepper, followed by a vibrant blend of lavender and clary sage. The unique journey across the seas continues with patchouli, vetiver and the woody softness of cedarwood on the finish, giving a soothing end to a complex sensory experience.

Of course, the bottle itself features the grey-blue shade reminiscent of the coastal horizon, finished with a gunmetal cap inspired by the house’s iconic turnlock hardware, and Coach’s signature “C” engraved on the bottom. Flawlessly designed and effortlessly high-end, Coach Open Road feels like something to strive towards, and it’s not by accident.

Packing up shop and heading out on a high-octane cross-country journey is a dream that many share and for the release of the new fragrance, director and photographer Fabien Baron has managed to capture that very sentiment.

The long-time Coach collaborator helmed a new campaign that tells the story of friends in search of adventure, hitting America’s picturesque West Coast like a bat out of hell. As Coach puts it, the cinematic snapshot of friendship reminds us that the real beauty of the journey isn’t the destination, but the experiences along the way.

Coach Open Road officially launches in Australia on January 29. Priced at AUD$153 for a 100ml bottle, the stunning new fragrance will be available to purchase at Myer and David Jones.