On a sunny, not-so-chilly winter afternoon, leading American fashion house Coach organized a media preview of its spring 2007 collection, at the Mediterraneo Restaurant and Bar in an old colonial house on quiet Wuding Road W.

It was a perfect location, with wide-open glass doors and a beautiful garden. White is the prevailing color - the ceilings, walls, tables and dishware are all white. The models were also dressed in all-white to accentuate their lively, innovative and vibrantly colored accessories on the wrist, neck and head.

Sleek silhouettes and bright colors, from citron to pear, carry the brand into a new year while embodying a crisp feeling of the coming season.

"We're showing an exciting and wide array of new shapes, hues and textures," says Reed Krakoff, president and executive creative director of Coach, which is re-introducing the Ergo line. It was one of the first collections when Krakoff joined the company a decade ago.

The Ergo collection, which has expanded from two simple shapes into a larger range of hobo, totes and cross-body bags, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

The pieces in this season's assemblage are notable for their clean, smooth lines, plush fabrics and, as the name suggests, ergonomic geometry. The bags come in leather, patent leather or signature print, and feature minimal hardware. The simple adornments include an iconic turnlock or a logo snap.

The Legacy collection introduces a new slim tote, trimmed in embossed alligator that has a casual sophistication. Other silhouettes include the slouchy Carly and the sleek Slim Flap. These canvas accessories feature vibrant pop-color trims in pear, citron and pale blue that are sure to brighten any of Shanghai's annoying rainy days.

Karkoff has also designed a collection of hand-woven straw accessories to welcome the warm spring days. The cute straw baskets are trimmed with brown leather or chic multicolor leather - a picnic in a concrete forest like Shanghai should be cool, shouldn't it?