Kate Spade

Background

Katherine Noel Valentine Brosnahan Spade was an American fashion designer whose talents set her apart. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and was of Irish descent. Spade attended Arizona State University, where she graduated with a degree in Journalism in 1985.

In 1986, Spade worked in the accessories department at “Mademoiselle” magazine, and left her post as Senior Fashion Editor in 1991 to create her own brand. She and her former boyfriend, Andy Spade, founded Kate Spade New York, in January 1993; as an accessory brand, it became very popular in the ‘90s, and many owned a Kate Spade handbag. Soon, it expanded from exclusively selling handbags to clothing, jewelry, shoes, eyewear, fragrances, and stationery. By 1996, Spade opened her first boutique in Manhattan’s SoHo district, later branching out to Kate Spade Saturday, which carried more casual apparel, and Jack Spade, a menswear line. Both ventures were discontinued in 2015. In 1999, Spade sold 56% of her company’s stake to Neiman Marcus Group, which took the business to global reach. In 2004, a home collection brand called Kate Spade At Home was launched, as well as a store in Japan. In 2006, Spade sold the remaining 44% of her company to Neiman Marcus, which later sold the label to Liz Claiborne Inc. before it was finally purchased by Coach, Inc.

Spade took some time off to cater to her family, but in 2016 she launched Frances Valentine, a luxury footwear and handbag brand. A successful design mogul, Spade shared the perks of her success with friends and family. She lived a private life and married Andy Spade in 1994. The couple had a daughter in 2005. On June 5, 2018, Spade was found dead in her apartment, having committed suicide. She is remembered by her husband, daughter, and many friends.