Lou Frankfort transformed Coach from a $6 million NYC handbag maker into a $20 billion global icon by pioneering 'accessible luxury'—proving that democratizing premium brands could reach 20-40% of consumers rather than just the top 1.5%, while maintaining rigorous standards for quality, distribution control, and brand integrity. Frankfort built Coach's foundation through direct consumer research disguised as journalist interviews, revealing that women's loyalty to bags stems from personal attachment and the leather's unique patina-development over time.