Coach president and creative director Reed Krakoff has never entered the public lexicon the way other creative directors like Tom Ford have. But Krakoff, who has has had a long and influential career in fashion, may be stepping into the spotlight.

Fashion Week Daily says that Coach will be developing a new brand around Krakoff. The names "Reed," "Reed Krakoff," and "RK" have been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark office along with a couple of custom logos. The trademark could be used for ready-to-wear and leather goods or for personal care products as well as "hotel and restaurant services."

What does the always ambitious Krakoff have up his sleeve? Coach has only said that they always have new projects in development. Before joining Coach in 1996, Krakoff worked for Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger so he has learned about building a personal brand from the best in the business.

I posted on this plastic Mulberry Ice-Cream tote earlier this month and now here's another clear plastic handbag: the Tattoo Tote from Coach. There's a whole group of Coach bags with their new "Tattoo" styling, this one in the form of a transparent PVC tote bag with white leather trim and braided goldtone double chain link handles. It comes with the little leather pouch shown, that attaches with a gold chain, and the tote has no interior pockets but it does have a ring inside for clipping accessories or keys. $648

The Bonnie Jeweled Canvas Carryall by Coach is one of those bags that just makes me happy and I'm not sure exactly why. The bag is made of jeweled cotton twill and features a cutesy graphic print of a girl advertising 'PEACE RIGHT NOW' on her numerous handbags. Crinkle patent leather trim, interior pockets specially designed for gadgets like your PDA, and a haphazardly placed exterior pocket with turnlock closure give it even more character. It also has a ring for clipping on an accessory or your keys, $698.

Here's a sharp-looking suitcase that will stand out on the baggage return belt: the Penelope Op Art Suitcase, by Coach. Made of Op art coated canvas fabric with leather trim, the suitcase features two inside pockets on the interior back cover, two inside pockets on each interior side wall, three inside pockets on the interior front wall, a lock closure, and brass feet to protect scuffing. Measurements for medium: 27 1/4" L x 18" H x 8 1/2" W, $1,500. Also available: small, with all the same features, measuring 22 3/4" L x 15 1/4" H x 7" W, $1,200.

First it was the meals, then it was your luggage, now, if you fly coach they are coming after your pillows and blankets. US Airways has announced they are joining Jet Blue in charging for sleeptime amenities. US Airways will start charging $7 for the "Power-Nap Sack" on Feb. 16. The kit includes a 34-by-60-inch fleece blanket, a neck pillow, eye shades, foam ear plugs and a $10-off coupon for items in the SkyMall catalog all in a drawstring bag embroidered with the airline's logo. Customers in first class and in Envoy and Economy class on trans-Atlantic flights will continue getting complimentary pillows and blankets. I say bring your own, there are a variety of sleep kit options out there ranging from the inexpensive to the luxe that offer superior comfort.

'Tis the season for blankets of snow and frosted branches, ski trips and furry boots, and new handbags to match the winter white theme. Whether you are shopping at Saks, Bergdorfs, Nordstroms, Neimans or Barneys there are clean, colorless clutches, totes and hobos to suit the season. Here are a few of my favorites inspired by the holiday tune, 'White Christmas' that are chic, sophisticated and frosty including the Nablak Vernice Tote from Prada pictured above.

• Coach's Op Art Sabrina - $298 at Nordstroms
• Bottega Veneta's Medium Veneta Hobo - $1,550 at Barneys
• Yves Saint Laurent Medium Calypso Bag - $2,095 at Saks
• Dolce and Gabbana's Washed Leather Dome - $2,125 at Bergdorfs
• Escada Ostrich Shoulder Bag, Small - $3,990 at Neimans

Kiki Smith, noted feminist sculptor and printmaker, teamed last year with Coach to produce a limited edition tote bag (only 100 were made), featuring original prints reminiscent of Smith's well known nature iconography.

The bag is crafted from natural canvas and trimmed in silver snakeskin.

First available at the Whitney Museum, where Smith had a retrospective in 2007, the bag has reappeared at the New Museum, where it retails for $1,500 (a $200 increase over its original price a year ago).

These days the cost of flying first class has gone so high it's gotten too expensive for all the but the richest of travelers. Coach fares, which by definition offer less comfort and amenities, are at the point where even the most basic of comforts like a warm blanket or little bag of peanuts cost extra money or aren't offered at all. It's getting downright ridiculous how uncomfortable flying can be!

The good news, though, is that with just a little bit of forethought it's pretty easy to make your coach ticket feel like a first class one -- without the first class hit to your bank account. Take a look at the tips in the gallery below and then share any tips and tricks you have for making flying coach easier in the comments

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It's getting pretty chilly lately where I live and so these plush, quilted nylon map bags from Coach look especially appealing (plus they've reminded me that I still need to dig out my winter coats!).

The bags come in only these two colors (both of which I love), and feature leather trim, a leather strap, exterior pockets galore (on the front, back, and under the flap), and a variety of multi-function pockets on the fabric-lined interior that are perfect for holding everything from a pen to a PDA. $358

Via acquire

Coach has sold watches in the name of breast cancer awareness in the past, but this year introduces its new Lexington Breast Cancer Awareness watch, its stainless steel face and chic pink leather band a timely reminder that it is indeed stylish to trumpet awareness on behalf of breast cancer.

The women's watch retails for $398, 20% of which will go towards the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Luxury handbag maker Coach came in with relatively strong numbers for their fiscal fourth quarter but are still feeling gloomy. Although Coach's fourth quarter profit rose 33% the company has predict that the continued consumer cautiousness in the U.S. will reach well into 2009. As Marketwatch indicates, Coach joins other retailers in predicting reduced spending even among luxury shoppers. The company is planning to go ahead with opening more stores (around 40 North American stores and at least six U.S. factory outlets) but Chief Executive Lew Frankfort said in an interview that the company will introduce products with higher material and labor costs at prices lower than they would have charged during more rosy economic times. This move may spur consumer interest but it will also eat into Coach's bottom line. The company is also planning increased expansion into Japan and China where the demand for Coach is on the rise.

Coach stock has taken a big hit too, the shares have lost more than two-fifths of their value in the past 12 months.

I am a certifiable tote girl -- need one for travel, one for daily errands, one for lugging my laptop to coffee shops, and one to fill at the farmer's market. So its no surprise I have gravitated towards the totes of all the bags available from Coach. The Bleecker line has a functional style without unnecessary accents, plenty of colors and materials to choose from, and a hefty size to handle any of my tote needs. Personally I'm a big fan of the classic brown with the all-important C-logo but then again I do have a serious crush on chocolate brown. From $298 to $598 depending on the bag it is sure to handle whatever you throw in it. (About 19" x 10" x 6" with varying strap lengths)

I warned everybody before that I was suddenly feeling springy and all about the florals, and today is no exception with the Coach Bleecker Leather Tooled Floral Large Duffle. It's got a classic feminine duffle shape but with an updated design of whimsical flowers that have a variety of different little designs in each petal (notice the Coach signature C!). It's neutral, which is always great, without coming off as plain, which is also great. Big enough to carry all your day-to-day essentials, I call this bag a spring must have. $798

Coach's Carly style gets a size upgrade in this larger version of the relatively new shape. Slighter bigger in all directions, it measures 17" x 13" x 6" and has 7" handle drop. Like the smaller version, it is available in five colors, but only this parchment color has the trim in a contrasting hue. The red, brown, black and camel versions all have the leather accents in a similar tone. I prefer the contrast as it really puts the spotlight on the leather trim with all those brass details, including including studs, turnlocks, rings and even a dog-leash clip. The zip-top bag is lined and features internal zip, cell and accessory pockets. $498.

Could the high-end handbag and shoe trend be waning? There are some warning signs that the luxury frenzy is abating. A Fortune article brings together a couple of important stats such as the fact that both Nordstrom, the high-end department store, and Coach, purveyors of mid-range handbags, have issued warnings of weaker-than-expected sales. The sector of the luxury market that will most likely be hit won't be the very high end but the "masstige" (prestige items for the masses) market, those retailers who have aimed squarely at the moderately wealthy. This has bread and butter for Coach over the last few years, leading to explosive growth. Now their stock is off 32 percent in the past six months. The article cites the falling estate prices as one of the possible reasons for the slowdown. As people's houses are worth less they feel less rich and so they are less likely to spend heavily. Many retailers are anxiously awaiting the upcoming holiday season to see just how soft the luxury market is.