UPDATE: June 5, 2018 — We just received the terribly shocking and terribly sad news that American designer and businessperson Kate Spade passed away at 10:26am today from an apparent suicide. The designer has tragically hung herself at her Park Avenue home and was found by her housekeeper. She left a note, the contents of which are not revealed.
The one-time assistant fashion editor at Mademoiselle magazine would move to accessories editor five years later, and it was during this time that she thought to create “a functional bag that was sophisticated and had some style,” she would tell The New York Times. In 1993, she founded Kate Spade with Andy and a friend, Elyce Arons. The couple married in 1994.
By 1996, the Spades would open their inaugural store in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood, and by 1999, Neiman Marcus would purchase a 56% stake in the company for $34 million, giving it majority ownership. The following year, the Spades would sell their remaining stake. The brand would evolve to encapsulate more than just handbags and become one of the first lifestyle brands, paving the way for others who would follow, including Tory Burch. When the company was purchased by Coach Inc. in 2017, Kate and Andy had already been apart from their first endeavour for ten years.
Spade’s philanthropic work included the Kate Spade & Company Foundation, which is devoted to economic equality for women. She leaves behind husband Andy, and 13-year-old daughter Frances Beatrix. She was 55.
Our thoughts are with Kate Spade’s family at this incredibly heartbreaking time.
***** from the original article published on December 10, 2016:
KATE & Andy Spade‘s Manhattan home was recently featured on The Coveteur, and it is a dusky pink walled, herringbone floored, art-filled dream. There are stripes mixed with black and white checkered floors, and leading away from the perfect pink there are even rooms made of crimson … Click through for a glimpse of this utterly charming space.
