Instead, trademark law protects brand names, logos, symbols, designs and other optional elements of apparel and accessories, and trade dress law protects the design, packaging or appearance of apparel and accessories, solely to the extent they identify the source and origin of such products.

FORBES: Protecting Fashion Designs

Coach competes with other premium apparel and accessories players like Polo Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, and AnnTaylor, as well as high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci and Prada.

FORBES: Coach Could Struggle Mightily With Rising Commodity Costs, Brand Dilution nyse

The firm competes with other premium apparel and accessories players like Polo Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, and AnnTaylor, as well as high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci and Prada.

FORBES: Rising Costs Threaten Coach With Slimmer Margins

Then, as now, her apparel and accessories choices are well documented and at times, quickly copied by other brands.

FORBES: Michelle Obama's Red Is The New Black -- For Retailers