NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2001--Coach, Inc. (NYSE: COH), a leading marketer of modern classic American accessories, today announced that Irene Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Akim, Inc., an investment management and consulting firm, has been appointed to Coach's Board of Directors.

Ms. Miller's appointment fills a vacancy on the Board and returns the membership to seven.

Lew Frankfort, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coach, Inc., said, "We are extremely pleased that Irene Miller is joining our Board. As Coach continues to gain share in the large and growing global market for fine accessories and gifts, we are confident that her extensive experience, strategic insight and leadership in both the financial and retail industries will prove particularly valuable to us."

Until 1997, Ms. Miller was Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc. Having joined Barnes & Noble in 1991, she became Chief Financial Officer in 1993, prior to the company's initial public offering. In 1995 she was elected to the Board of Directors and was appointed to the position of Vice Chairman.

From 1986 to 1990, Ms. Miller was an investment banker specializing in emerging growth retail and consumer companies at Morgan Stanley & Co., serving as Principal in her last position. From 1982 to 1986, she was Vice President of Corporate Finance at Rothschild, Inc. Ms. Miller also serves as a director on the Boards of Barnes & Noble, Inc., Oakley, Inc., The Body Shop International PLC and Inditex, S.A.

Coach, with headquarters in New York, is a leading American marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men, including handbags, business cases, furniture, luggage and travel accessories, wallets, footwear, watches and related accessories. Coach is sold worldwide through Coach stores, select department stores and specialty stores, through the Coach catalogue in the U.S. by calling 800-262-2411 and through Coach's website at www.Coach.com.

Coach's shares are traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol COH.

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