Amongst us staff members here in the Out offices, there is one subject that can always serve as the impetus for a heated debate: Gwyneth Paltrow. With her gleaming smile, sun-kissed locks, naturally lean figure and seemingly perpetual cheery disposition her sudden overexposure (ranging from her "Let me show you how to live your life" blog Goop -- which is rumored to have been bought by Hearst and may be launching as an actual magazine -- to her foray into country singing, her new cookbook and her appearances on the ever-popular Glee, some of us find that she can come off as pretentious and condescending, while others think of her as incredibly appealing ("She's the closest thing to American royalty," is a common defense one staff member often decrees).
But regardless of the mixed feelings she receives here in our offices, it seems that the folks over at Coach have a very, very favorable opinion of the actress/singer/chef/blogger/beacon of perfection because this morning it was announced that Paltrow will be serving as the company's brand ambassador for their international campaigns commemorating their 70th anniversary this fall and next spring. The campaign has already been shot by photographer Peter Lindbergh and we're sure Paltry Paltrow (or Precious Paltrow depending on whom you talk to here) already has a big, fat check sitting in her bank account with lots of zeros involved for her work. The leather goods brand's executive creative director Reed Krakoff says the little droplet of heavenly dew that has graced our fair planet is, "a natural choice....She embodies the spirit, energy and elegance of the Coach brand." Returning the favor, Paltrow said, "I grew up in New York City and I've always thought of Coach as the quintessential New York brand. I'll never forget getting my first Coach bag." How could she remember getting her first Coach bag when she received it upon birth right along with that silver spoon to shove in her mouth and the world at her chubby newborn fingers? Ahem, we meant to say -- well isn't that nice.
