Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Kate Spade

Kate Spade (born Katherine Noel Brosnahan; December 24, 1962 – June 5, 2018) was an American fashion designer and entrepreneur best known for co-founding the global lifestyle brand Kate Spade New York in 1993, which popularized colorful, accessible handbags and accessories that became iconic status symbols for young women in the 1990s and beyond. Her designs emphasized whimsy, practicality, and bold patterns, transforming the handbag from a mere accessory into a playful expression of personal style, and the brand expanded into clothing, footwear, home goods, and fragrances. Spade's innovative approach earned her prestigious awards, including the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Accessories Designer of the Year in 1997 and the Accessories Council Excellence (ACE) Award in 1999. Born in , to a road-construction company owner and his wife, Spade grew up as the youngest of six siblings in a middle-class family. She attended the before transferring to , where she earned a degree in 1985 and met her future husband, . After graduation, she moved to and worked in the industry, starting as an assistant at Mademoiselle magazine and rising to senior by 1991, where her exposure to accessories inspired her entrepreneurial pivot. In 1993, frustrated with the lack of stylish yet practical s, Spade launched her eponymous line from her apartment with Andy's business support and partners Elyce Arons and Pamela Bell, debuting six handbag styles that quickly gained traction through word-of-mouth and placements in high-end stores like . The brand opened its first boutique in Manhattan's in 1996 and saw a 56% stake acquired by the Group in 1999 for approximately $34 million (with annual sales around $28 million); the company was sold to (later Fifth & Pacific) in 2006 for $125 million. Spade stepped down as in 2007. By the time of her death, operated approximately 270 stores worldwide and had been acquired by Coach (now ) in 2017 for $2.4 billion. Spade married in 1994, and the couple welcomed Frances Beatrix (known as Frankie) in 2005; they collaborated on Ciao, St. Vincent in 2006 and later lived separately while maintaining a close co-parenting relationship. In 2016, seeking creative independence, she founded a new accessories line, Frances Valentine, incorporating her middle name and 's. Tragically, on June 5, 2018, Spade was found dead in her apartment in at age 55 from an apparent , leaving a note for her emphasizing that her decision was not the child's fault; her family cited her long struggle with severe and recent treatment as contributing factors. Her legacy endures through the enduring popularity of her brand, which continues to influence contemporary with its joyful aesthetic.

Early life

Family background

Katherine Noel Brosnahan, later known as Kate Spade, was born on December 24, 1962, in . She was the daughter of Earl Francis Brosnahan Jr., who owned a construction company specializing in roads and bridges, and June Therese Mullen Brosnahan, who worked as a for Braniff Airlines before becoming a realtor. The family was of predominantly descent. Spade grew up as the fifth of six children in a large, close-knit household that emphasized family bonds and everyday Midwestern values. Her siblings included Missy, Earl III, Ann, Reta, and Eve, and the family home in Kansas City provided a supportive where Spade often shared her resources, such as giving away her earnings to her brothers and sisters. Her mother played a central role in the household, managing the care of the children while fostering creativity; Spade frequently borrowed her mother's jewelry and experimented with her to express personal style, reflecting the encouraging family dynamic. This upbringing in Kansas City's conservative yet cosmopolitan setting sparked Spade's early fascination with fashion, influenced by her mother's elegant tastes and the city's thrift stores offering vintage 1950s-inspired pieces. Spade attended St. Teresa's Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school in Kansas City. Among her siblings, Spade's sister Reta Brosnahan is the mother of actress Rachel Brosnahan, who has acknowledged her aunt's influence in interviews following Spade's death.

Education

Kate Spade, born Katherine Noel Brosnahan, began her higher education at the University of Kansas in 1981 as a freshman, where she participated in sorority rush activities early in her second semester. She briefly attended before transferring to Arizona State University (ASU). At ASU, Spade pursued studies at the School of Journalism and , joining the sorority during her collegiate years. She graduated in 1985 with a degree in journalism, initially aspiring to enter television production. Her academic training at ASU emphasized writing, editing, and media production skills, providing a strong foundation for her subsequent editorial career. With encouragement from her family, Spade relocated to shortly after graduation to pursue opportunities in .

Career

Role at Mademoiselle

After graduating with a journalism degree from Arizona State University in 1985, Kate Spade moved to New York City the following year and started as an assistant fashion editor at Mademoiselle magazine, later becoming the accessories editor, leveraging her academic background in the field. During her tenure at the magazine, Spade advanced to the role of senior fashion editor by 1991, where she focused on reporting and analyzing emerging trends in handbags and accessories for the publication's readership. In this capacity, Spade frequently accompanied photographers and stylists on shopping trips to source items for photo shoots and features, during which she observed a significant market gap: the absence of practical, stylish, and affordable that balanced functionality with sophistication, as opposed to the era's often gaudy or overly ornate options. This realization prompted her, in the early 1990s while still at Mademoiselle, to collaborate with her husband, , on developing initial handbag prototypes, sketching designs and experimenting with materials to address the unmet need she had identified.

Kate Spade New York

Kate Spade New York was founded in 1993 by designer Kate Spade (née Katherine Noel Brosnahan) and her husband Andy Spade, along with Elyce Arons and Pamela Bell, drawing inspiration from her time as an accessories editor at Mademoiselle magazine, where she identified a gap in the market for practical, stylish handbags suited to modern working women. The brand debuted with a small collection of nylon handbags characterized by clean lines, vibrant colors, and playful motifs, initially sold wholesale from a modest showroom in New York City after the couple invested around $4,000 in materials and production. This accessible luxury approach quickly resonated, leading to rapid expansion as demand grew from major retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. By the mid-1990s, the brand had achieved significant growth, with annual sales reaching $6 million in 1996, the same year it opened its first retail boutique at 59 Thompson Street in Manhattan's neighborhood. Over the following years, broadened its offerings beyond handbags to include apparel, footwear, jewelry, and home goods, all infused with the founder's signature whimsical aesthetic—featuring bold patterns, cheerful palettes, and durable fabrics that emphasized functionality without sacrificing fun. The expansion solidified the brand's position as a go-to for professional women seeking elevated yet approachable style. Key business milestones marked the company's trajectory: In 1999, Neiman Marcus Group acquired a 56 percent stake for $33.6 million, providing capital for further retail and product development while the Spades retained creative control. Liz Claiborne Inc. fully acquired the brand in 2006 for $124 million, integrating it into a larger portfolio and fueling international growth. In 2017, Coach Inc. (now Tapestry, Inc.) purchased Kate Spade New York for $2.4 billion, valuing its enduring appeal in the luxury accessories market.

Frances Valentine

In 2016, Kate Valentine Spade launched Frances Valentine as an independent luxury line specializing in shoes and handbags, marking her return to after selling her namesake brand a decade earlier. To distinguish the new venture from , she legally changed her name to Kate Valentine Spade that year. The brand's name drew from family heritage, combining "Frances," a longstanding name on her father's side, with "Valentine," her mother's maiden name. Her daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade—born in 2005—served as the primary muse, infusing the line with a , familial touch that emphasized joyful and whimsical elements inspired by her previous work. Co-founded by Kate and alongside longtime collaborator Elyce Arons, the brand highlighted close family and professional partnerships from the outset. The debut spring 2016 collection centered on , featuring several styles such as espadrilles, , and heels priced around $400, complemented by a limited selection of metallic leather handbags like bucket shoppers. Designs showcased bold colors and innovative heel shapes, including the signature heel, alongside personal motifs that evoked playfulness and vintage charm. Following its e-commerce debut in February 2016, Frances Valentine expanded through wholesale partnerships with luxury retailers such as and , building a selective distribution network. By 2017, the line had gained traction in high-end markets, with plans underway to broaden the assortment beyond shoes and handbags into additional accessories while maintaining a focus on mood-boosting, timeless pieces before Kate Spade's death in 2018. Following Spade's death, the brand continued under co-founder Elyce Arons as CEO, expanding into clothing and maintaining its joyful aesthetic, with ongoing releases as of 2025.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Kate Spade, born Katherine Noel Brosnahan, met her future husband, , while they were students at , where she had transferred from the ; the two began as friends after he asked her for a ride home from a clothing store where she worked. They married in 1994 after dating for several years and moved to together following their graduation in 1985, where they built both their personal and professional lives. The couple welcomed their only child, daughter Frances Beatrix Spade, on February 14, 2005; the family resided primarily in New York City, where Kate and Andy maintained separate but nearby apartments to balance their independent lifestyles while staying closely involved in parenting. Family life revolved around simple routines, such as sharing nightly dinners and Kate handling morning school preparations while Andy contributed by picking up coffee, all while deliberately shielding their daughter from public scrutiny amid their growing fame in the fashion world. Andy played a supportive role in both family matters and their shared business ventures, co-founding the Kate Spade New York brand in 1993 and later collaborating on Frances Valentine in 2016. Kate maintained close ties to her extended family, including her niece , the daughter of her brother Earl Brosnahan Jr., who rose to prominence as an actress, earning critical acclaim for her Emmy-winning role as Miriam "Midge" Maisel in the series starting in 2017. Brosnahan has often credited as a significant influence, describing her aunt's vibrant style and entrepreneurial spirit as inspirational in interviews following Kate's passing.

Philanthropic efforts

Kate Spade demonstrated a strong commitment to and social causes through initiatives spearheaded by her brand. In 2013, launched the "on purpose" program, which partnered with Abahizi , a Rwandan , to provide vocational training, , and opportunities to local women, many of whom were survivors of or . This effort integrated these women into the brand's global by having them produce handbags, fostering economic independence and in Masoro, . By 2017, the program had trained hundreds of women, emphasizing skills in design, production, and business management to promote long-term self-sufficiency. Additionally, engaged in efforts to combat , channeling a portion of sales from specific product lines to prevention and support organizations. For instance, the brand provided grants to nonprofits addressing , reflecting Spade's dedication to women's safety and well-being. These initiatives by the brand she founded underscored her broader for social issues impacting women worldwide.

Death

Circumstances of death

On June 5, 2018, Kate Spade was found unresponsive in her apartment on Manhattan's by her housekeeper around 10:10 a.m., having died by . The chief ruled the death a , with no evidence of foul play. Spade had struggled with and anxiety for several years, receiving from a private and taking medication for at least five years prior to her . Her husband, , described these issues as ongoing but emphasized that she had no history of or . A report confirmed the absence of any impairing substances in her system at the time of . She left a addressed primarily to her 13-year-old , , with additional messages for Andy, expressing her love for her family while conveying that she felt unable to escape her troubles. The aimed to reassure her that her actions were not the child's fault. At the time, Spade and her husband had been living separately for about 10 months while working through personal challenges and maintaining their commitment to co-parenting.

Immediate aftermath

Following the discovery of Kate Spade's body on June 5, 2018, her family released a public statement announcing her death and pleading for privacy amid their grief. “We are all devastated by today's tragedy,” the statement said. “We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly. We would ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this very difficult time.” The news triggered an outpouring of shock across the fashion industry and global media, with outlets like and emphasizing the sudden loss of a transformative figure whose accessible, colorful designs had redefined handbag culture since the 1990s. The New York Police Department quickly investigated the scene at Spade's apartment, confirming her death as a using a red scarf tied to a bedroom door. An by the city medical examiner's office ruled the as hanging, with no evidence of foul play. In response to circulating rumors of financial distress, marital problems, or excessive drinking as triggers, Spade's husband, , issued a statement refuting these claims, stating there was "no indication or warning" and that her struggles with and anxiety—conditions she had been treating—did not signal such an outcome. He described the suicide as a "complete shock" and affirmed their close family bond. A private family funeral for Spade took place on June 21, 2018, in her hometown of , drawing hundreds of mourners, including close friends and industry peers, many carrying her iconic handbags as a tribute. Eulogies were delivered by and others, with the service held just one day after the death of her 89-year-old father, Earl Brosnahan Jr., reportedly from a . Public tributes from fashion leaders amplified the sorrow; editor-in-chief lauded Spade's "enviable gift for understanding exactly what women the world over wanted to carry," while celebrities like and shared personal remembrances of her warmth and influence. In the days immediately following her death, the Kate Spade New York brand, owned by Tapestry Inc. at the time, suspended certain promotional activities out of respect, including pulling social media posts and delaying a planned handbag launch to avoid insensitivity. Separately, Spade's newer accessories line, Frances Valentine, had launched a campaign titled "Where Is Kate?" in February 2018, featuring Andy Spade as a detective—a concept that drew eerie parallels to her death and prompted quiet reflection.

Legacy

Influence on fashion

Kate Spade revolutionized handbag design in the by introducing structured, colorful satchels that combined practicality with playful , filling a gap in the market for affordable luxury alternatives to high-end brands. Her debut collection featured boxy, vintage-inspired shapes in vibrant hues and durable materials like and , priced between $100 and $400, which made sophisticated style accessible to a broader audience of young professionals and career women previously priced out of accessories. This approach democratized high-end , transforming handbags from exclusive status symbols into everyday essentials that blended functionality with whimsy, as seen in her iconic Sam bag—a sleek black tote that became a for its clean lines and versatility. Spade's broader influence extended to inspiring "girly" chic trends characterized by retro-feminine silhouettes, bright pops of color, and a yet modern vibe that eschewed the era's dour in favor of optimistic, . Her designs permeated pop culture, notably appearing in , where character humorously referenced a Kate Spade purse in a 2000 episode, cementing the brand's association with stylish urban women and amplifying its visibility through television. This cultural resonance fueled the expansion of lifestyle branding, evolving from handbags to coordinated accessories, apparel, and home goods that promoted a cohesive, joyful aesthetic emphasizing personal expression and everyday elegance. As a trailblazing founder in , Spade played a role by inspiring a generation of women entrepreneurs through her success story of a from samples to a multimillion-dollar enterprise, demonstrating that accessible innovation could disrupt male-dominated luxury sectors. Designers like Trina Turk have credited her as a pivotal influence for mid-1990s female startups, highlighting Spade's emphasis on joy-infused designs that prioritized user delight alongside functionality, such as roomy interiors and durable construction tailored to real-life needs. Critically, Spade's work was praised for its accessibility and fresh take on American luxury, earning acclaim in publications like Vogue for delivering "Holly Golightly sophistication for the masses" and reshaping the accessories market with inclusive pricing and broad appeal. However, following her departure from the company in 2007 and its subsequent sales—including to Coach in 2017 for $2.4 billion—the brand faced criticism for over-commercialization, with observers noting a dilution of its original quirky charm as it expanded aggressively into mass-market outlets, leading to perceptions of lost exclusivity and struggles to retain millennial loyalty.

Posthumous developments and tributes

Following Kate Spade's death in 2018, continued operations under its parent company, , maintaining a global retail footprint with over 200 stores worldwide and a robust digital presence through platforms. Despite facing sales challenges, including a 9% decline to $260 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the brand remains a key pillar of 's portfolio, focusing on turnaround strategies such as reducing offerings by 30% to revitalize growth. Tapestry anticipates a return to profitable expansion for Kate Spade by fiscal 2027, underscoring its sustained role in the luxury accessories market. In alignment with Spade's legacy and the circumstances of her death, has prioritized for women and girls. In 2024, the brand launched the Global Fund for Women's , a aiming to provide access to resources for 250,000 women and girls by 2030. This initiative builds on earlier efforts, including annual summits; the fourth Global Summit on Women's was held in October 2025, featuring speakers such as , , Amaya Espinal, and Joy Woods to highlight the role of brands in support. The Frances Valentine brand, co-founded by Spade, her husband , and Elyce Arons in 2016, transitioned to family and partner management after her passing, with Arons leading day-to-day operations as CEO. In 2019, the brand launched the "Love Katy" collection as a to Spade, featuring apparel and accessories inspired by her personal style, such as colorful, vintage-inspired pieces released seasonally. As of 2025, Frances Valentine continues to operate actively, offering mood-boosting clothing, handbags, and shoes through its official website and select retailers, emphasizing personal storytelling and modern designs. In June 2025, coinciding with the seventh anniversary of Spade's death, her longtime friend and business partner Elyce Arons released the memoir We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade, which candidly details their decades-long relationship and reveals Spade's personal struggles with fame, , and family pressures. The book, a bestseller, portrays Spade as a vibrant force while addressing the complexities behind her public image. Media outlets marked the anniversary with remembrances, including features on ABC's highlighting Spade's enduring influence on fashion and tributes in reflecting on her legacy seven years later. Andy Spade and their daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, have maintained a low public profile since 2018, relocating to the to focus on privacy and healing. Andy has occasionally contributed to Frances Valentine through input, honoring the brand's origins, while their daughter has shown emerging in fashion without formal public involvement as of 2025.

Awards and honors

Fashion awards

In 1995, Kate Spade received the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Award for New Fashion Talent in Accessories, recognizing the debut of her handbag line just two years after its launch in 1993. The award, nominated by the CFDA's Fashion Guild—a of over 1,500 industry professionals including editors, retailers, and stylists—highlighted her innovative approach to functional yet stylish nylon totes that appealed to urban professionals. Spade's win underscored her rapid rise from accessory editor to designer. Two years later, in 1997, Spade was honored with the CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year award, celebrating her brand's expansion into a broader range of handbags and the innovation that made her designs accessible and iconic. This accolade, again selected through peer nominations by the Fashion Guild, acknowledged how her pieces combined practicality with wit, such as signature shapes and playful hardware that influenced everyday fashion. These CFDA honors significantly elevated Spade's visibility, drawing attention and retailer interest that fueled the brand's growth, including the opening of its first standalone in and subsequent international expansion.

Business recognitions

Kate Spade was inducted into the Entrepreneur Hall of in 2017 by the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, recognizing her innovative approach to launching and scaling a accessories brand from a modest startup. This honor highlighted her ability to transform a simple line, begun in her apartment in 1993, into a global enterprise through strategic vision and hands-on leadership. Business publications such as profiled Spade in the late 1990s and early 2000s as an exemplary female entrepreneur who bootstrapped her company without external funding or a formal , achieving rapid growth and widespread retail distribution. Her success in building into a multimillion-dollar operation during this period exemplified entrepreneurial resilience, as noted in analyses from outlets like Sloan, which praised her creative team-building and brand expansion tactics that turned a niche accessory line into an international powerhouse. In addition to these accolades, Spade received the Best Accessories Designer award at the Accessories Council Excellence (ACE) Awards in , underscoring her business impact in revolutionizing the accessories market. Features in business media further celebrated her journey from editorial roots to CEO, emphasizing how she scaled the to approximately 26 stores by 2007, when it was acquired for $124 million—a foundation that later propelled it to a $2.4 billion valuation in 2017.

References

  1. [1]
    Kate Spade - Bags, Daughter & Death - Biography
    Aug 18, 2020 · Kate Spade was born Katherine Noel Brosnahan on December 24, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1985, after earning a degree in journalism, she ...
  2. [2]
    Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is ...
    Jun 5, 2018 · Ms. Spade, 55, was discovered dead at her Manhattan apartment, where she had hanged herself in her bedroom, the police said.
  3. [3]
    Inside Kate Spade's life of professional triumph and personal turmoil
    Jun 6, 2018 · Kate was born Katherine Brosnahan in Kansas City, Mo., on Christmas Eve 1962. Her father, Earl, owned a construction company there that built ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  4. [4]
    June Brosnahan Obituary - Kansas City, MO - Dignity Memorial
    ... Brosnahan Saffo and husband Karl of Sarasota, FL, Katy Brosnahan Spade and husband Andy of New York, NY, and Eve Mullen Brosnahan of Santa Monica, CA; she ...
  5. [5]
    Kate Spade's Irish roots
    Jun 5, 2025 · She was born Katherine Noel Frances Valentine Brosnahan in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 24, 1962, to Earl Francis Brosnahan, Jr., and June Mullen.Missing: background siblings
  6. [6]
    https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/kansas-city-mo/june-brosnahan-4185824
  7. [7]
    Bagging some fun in hunt for accessories, KC native finds international success
    ### Summary of Kate Spade's Family Background and Early Interest in Fashion
  8. [8]
    The Untold Story of Kate Spade - by Amy Odell - Back Row
    Jun 19, 2025 · The Untold Story of Kate Spade ... Kate Spade's death at age 55 from suicide stunned the public when the news broke in the middle of 2018. It was ...
  9. [9]
    Former KU attendee Kate Spade remembered as vibrant and ...
    Jun 6, 2018 · Kate Spade, famous handbag designer and University attendee, was found dead from an apparent suicide in her New York apartment on Tuesday.
  10. [10]
    Designer SpotLight: Kate Spade - Investment Piece
    Apr 24, 2025 · Her ancestry was mostly Irish. After graduating from St. Teresa's Academy, an all-girl Catholic high school, she attended the University of ...Missing: siblings | Show results with:siblings
  11. [11]
    Kate Spade's unwavering impact at ASU - The Arizona State Press
    Jun 19, 2018 · What some may not know is that Spade is an ASU alumna, graduating from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  12. [12]
    Kate Spade's iconic brand lives on in AU students' fashion - The Eagle
    Oct 24, 2018 · Spade was a notable alum of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority during her collegiate years at Arizona State University where she studied journalism ...Missing: education background
  13. [13]
    Fashion designer Kate Spade, an ASU grad, found dead
    Jun 5, 2018 · Spade attended Arizona State University in 1985 and graduated with a degree in journalism. She described Phoenix as "a special place where I met ...
  14. [14]
    Kate Spade, whose handbags were essential accessories for urban ...
    Jun 5, 2018 · Born Katherine Noel Brosnahan in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 24, 1962, she received a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Arizona State ...
  15. [15]
    What made Kate Spade a great entrepreneur | MIT Sloan
    Jun 7, 2018 · In 1993 Spade was an accessories editor for Mademoiselle magazine when she started her handbag company with husband. She was in a great ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  16. [16]
    How Kate Spade became a household name | CNN Business
    Jun 5, 2018 · In 1986 Spade started working at the fashion magazine Mademoiselle, climbing the ladder until she became a senior fashion editor. But she said ...
  17. [17]
    TIMELINE: A look at Kate Spade's life - ABC13 Houston
    Jun 5, 2018 · She graduated with a degree in journalism from Arizona State University in 1985. In 1986, she worked at Mademoiselle magazine in Manhattan.Missing: background | Show results with:background
  18. [18]
    How Kate Spade created a multimillion-dollar empire - CNBC
    Jun 5, 2018 · The next year, she moved to New York and landed a job in the accessories department at Mademoiselle magazine. By 1992, Spade saw no future for ...
  19. [19]
    Why Kate Spade Legally Changed Her Name in 2016 - People.com
    Jun 6, 2018 · The brand's name came from combining both of her family's names; Frances, from her father's side of the family and Valentine, her mother's. Kate ...
  20. [20]
    Who Is Frances Beatrix? Kate Spade's Last Fashion Venture Was ...
    Jun 5, 2018 · "Frances is a longtime family name on my dad's side," Kate Spade, who started using the name Kate Valentine, said in a November 2015 WWD ...
  21. [21]
    https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/05/how-kate-spade-created-a-multimillion-dollar-empire.html
  22. [22]
    The artist formerly known as Kate Spade is back — with a new line ...
    Sep 15, 2016 · If Kate Spade (the company) began with handbags, then Frances Valentine begins with shoes. There are round-toed flats, slingbacks with feathery ...
  23. [23]
    Frances Valentine Launches E-Commerce - Fashionista
    Feb 26, 2016 · Shortly after announcing the launch of the new accessories brand Frances Valentine, a combination of two family names, Kate legally changed her ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
  24. [24]
    After Kate Spade's Death, Will Frances Valentine Find Its Footing?
    Aug 24, 2018 · Frances Valentine is pricier than Kate Spade, but the impetus was the same: “I missed not being able to wear things that I love,” she says.
  25. [25]
    Kate Spade and Andy Spade's Love Story - Town & Country Magazine
    Jun 7, 2018 · Mrs. Brosnahan didn't have to worry long. In 1994, Kate and Andy got married. Remembering Kate Spade's Life in Photos.
  26. [26]
    PUBLIC LIVES; A Cautious Rise to a Top Name in Fashion
    Mar 12, 1999 · IN any case, Andy and Kate started dating, fell in love, then after graduation in 1985 moved to New York. Mr. Spade started working as a ...
  27. [27]
    Frances Beatrix Spade's biography: What does Kate ... - Briefly News
    May 7, 2023 · Frances Beatrix Spade's age is 20 years as of 2025. She was born on 14 February 2005, and her Zodiac sign is Aquarius.
  28. [28]
    Rachel Brosnahan Calls Late Aunt Kate Spade Her 'Fashion ...
    Feb 13, 2025 · Years after her tragic death, designer Kate Spade is still inspiring her niece Rachel Brosnahan. The actress attended the 2025 Michael Kors ...
  29. [29]
    Rachel Brosnahan Honors Aunt Kate Spade on 3rd Anniversary of ...
    Jun 5, 2021 · Three years after the death of Kate Spade, her niece, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan, shared a touching tribute on Instagram.
  30. [30]
    How Kate Spade New York Is Supporting Women and Girls in Rwanda
    May 23, 2023 · Kate Spade New York's On Purpose Fund at Tides Foundation provides women and girls in Rwanda with empowerment and mental health services.Missing: personal RESOLVE infertility
  31. [31]
    Empowering Women in Developing Economies
    Jul 27, 2017 · Kate Spade & Company's social enterprise investment in Rwanda—which enables women to be part of its supply chain—is an innovative example of ...
  32. [32]
    Empowering Women at the Grassroots
    Kate Spade & Company, similarly, drew on the assistance of the Rwandan Ministry of Trade & Industry to locate the community of artisans in Masoro. (Working with ...
  33. [33]
    How Fashion and Beauty Brands Are Celebrating International ...
    ... donated to the charity. ... Kate Spade and a production facility in Masoro ... The brand will then be donating $25,000 to Girl Up, the United Nations Foundation ...
  34. [34]
    kate spade New York and the kate spade New York Foundation
    Aug 30, 2022 · Now in its eighth year, on purpose is the Kate Spade New York brand's social enterprise initiative that works to empower women and invest in ...Missing: personal involvement
  35. [35]
    Our Partners | Kate Spade New York
    In honor of founding kate spade new york Foundation board member Jerome A. Chazen, the Foundation has provided grant funding in support of domestic violence ...
  36. [36]
    Kate Spade New York's Social Enterprise Initiative - SOCAP Global
    Jul 16, 2019 · The for-profit company was created to serve as the first handbag supplier for Kate Spade's then-budding social enterprise initiative, on purpose.Missing: personal | Show results with:personal
  37. [37]
    Kate Spade's husband: She battled demons but death was ... - CNN
    Jun 7, 2018 · The husband of fashion designer Kate Spade, who took her own life Tuesday, says his wife was getting help for anxiety and depression.Missing: circumstances details
  38. [38]
    Kate Spade, designer who built handbag empire, found dead | Reuters
    Jun 6, 2018 · Spade, 55, hanged herself and was found by her housekeeper at her home on Park Avenue on Manhattan's Upper East Side, the New York Daily News ...
  39. [39]
    Kate Spade: Death ruled suicide by medical examiner - BBC
    Jun 7, 2018 · A New York medical examiner has ruled that Kate Spade's death was caused by suicide, two days after the fashion designer died in her Manhattan ...Missing: report | Show results with:report
  40. [40]
    Kate Spade Left Suicide Note for Husband and Daughter - People.com
    Jun 5, 2018 · The note the designer left after she hanged herself had messages for her husband and daughter and was meant to explain her actions, ...
  41. [41]
    Kate Spade's Is 'Devastated' After Designer's Suicide: Statement
    Jun 5, 2018 · Spade's sister Eve Brosnahan was reached by phone, but “struggled to speak” according to the Daily News. “It's very difficult,” she said. “I ...
  42. [42]
    Kate Spade's husband: Apparent suicide a "complete shock" - BBC
    Jun 6, 2018 · He dispelled rumours that she had any problems with alcohol or in her business life. The New York Police Department confirmed Spade's death ...Missing: family denies financial
  43. [43]
    Andy Spade: No Indication or Warning of Kate Spade's Death
    Jun 6, 2018 · The husband of the designer Kate Spade, who died of what police characterized as suicide, said on Wednesday that she had suffered from severe depression.Missing: immediate aftermath services
  44. [44]
    Kate Spade Funeral Service - People.com
    Jun 21, 2018 · Two weeks after designer Kate Spade's suicide in her NYC home, friends and family gathered in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, for her private funeral ...
  45. [45]
    Kate Spade laid to rest in Kansas City a day after her father's death
    Jun 21, 2018 · The funeral program featured a black and white portrait of Spade with her daughter, and program notes said a eulogy was planned by her husband, ...Missing: private | Show results with:private
  46. [46]
    Kate Spade: Tributes pour in for 'great talent' after apparent suicide
    Jun 6, 2018 · "Kate Spade had an enviable gift for understanding exactly what women the world over wanted to carry," Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of ...Missing: memorial | Show results with:memorial
  47. [47]
    Kate Spade and Fashion's Identity Crisis: When a Name Makes a ...
    Jun 6, 2018 · Soon after fans of Kate Spade learned that the designer had died in an apparent suicide on Tuesday, stunned customers remembered the handbags ...Missing: impact pause
  48. [48]
    Kate Spade's Brand Ran Eerie 'Where Is Kate?' Final Campaign
    Jun 6, 2018 · Kate Spade's fashion brand's final major ad campaign before her death was called 'Where Is Kate?' and featured a detective played by her husband ...Missing: promotions pause
  49. [49]
    How Kate Spade Made an Everlasting Impact on the Fashion Industry
    Jun 5, 2018 · ... New York. Then, in 1993, she launched the handbag brand, Kate Spade, with Andy. The two married in 1994. Three years into her business, the ...
  50. [50]
    Kate Spade: A Journey From Burlap Sack Bags To $2.4 Billion - Vue.ai
    Jun 30, 2019 · Kate and Andy showcased this burlap collection at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, where they bagged the first two buyers ...Missing: collaboration prototypes 1990s
  51. [51]
    What Kate Spade Meant for Women's Fashion | The New Yorker
    Jun 6, 2018 · Rachel Syme writes about the death and the legacy of the fashion designer Kate Spade, whose handbags became an iconic style item.
  52. [52]
    Kate Spade: down-to-earth designer who became a fashion icon
    Jun 5, 2018 · With the help of her future husband Andy Spade, she created an ... “When two women met and saw they were both holding Kate Spade bags ...Missing: early 1990s
  53. [53]
    Kate Spade's Most Unforgettable Moments in Fashion
    Jun 5, 2018 · 2000: In a Sex and the City episode, Charlotte jokes that her tampons won't fit in her Kate Spade purse. 2006: Kate Spade New York is sold ...
  54. [54]
    Kate Spade Dead: She Inspired a Generation of Females
    Jun 5, 2018 · Kate Spade inspired a generation of working women and many who started their own labels.
  55. [55]
    How Kate Spade's Vision for Simple Bags Became a $2.4 Billion ...
    Jun 5, 2018 · Initially known for simple purses in punchy colors, the Kate Spade New York label grew to include a vast collection that includes furniture, ...Missing: launch growth
  56. [56]
    Coach Bought Kate Spade, and Shoppers are NOT Happy About It
    May 9, 2017 · Coach just purchased Kate Spade for $2.4 billion, and shoppers are fearful that Coach will change Kate Spade's aesthetic.
  57. [57]
    Responsibility - Tapestry
    Tapestry is a global house of iconic brands. We unite the magic of Coach and Kate Spade New York ... © 2025 Tapestry, Inc. TAPESTRY, COACH, KATE SPADE and ...
  58. [58]
    https://www.vogue.com/article/tapestry-raises-outlook-after-sales-climb-12-in-q1
  59. [59]
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-06/tapestry-lifts-outlook-after-coach-drives-quarterly-beat
  60. [60]
    Frances Valentine's Elyce Arons on Navigating the Fashion World ...
    Feb 19, 2025 · In 1993, after leaving Mademoiselle, Spade called Arons with a business idea in 1993: a handbag company designing stylish and affordable purses ...
  61. [61]
    How Kate Spade's Business Partner Doubled Frances Valentine's ...
    Dec 13, 2019 · Kate Spade's accessory business, Frances Valentine, has doubled its customer base and grown online sales by five times since 2018.
  62. [62]
    Official Site | Frances Valentine
    - **Brand Status**: Frances Valentine celebrates personal style with mood-boosting, story-telling clothes.
  63. [63]
    We Might Just Make It After All | Book by Elyce Arons
    We Might Just Make It After All brings us on the rollercoaster of adventures (and misadventures) that the best friends embarked on, from transferring colleges ...
  64. [64]
    Who Was Kate Spade? - The New York Times
    Jun 5, 2025 · In “We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship With Kate Spade,” Elyce Arons remembers her pal as a force of nature with a ...
  65. [65]
    Kate Spade remembered 7 years after her death
    Jun 4, 2025 · Seven years ago this week, the fashion world was stunned by the death of designer Kate Spade. Spade died by suicide on June 5, 2018, in her apartment in New ...Missing: impact | Show results with:impact
  66. [66]
    What Is Andy Spade Doing Now - People.com
    Nov 16, 2018 · Andy has decided to relocate to the west coast with their daughter Frances Beatrix, 13, after his wife's tragic death by suicide in June at the age of 55.<|control11|><|separator|>
  67. [67]
    Council of Fashion Designers of America - Wikipedia
    Nominations are submitted by the Fashion Guild, a group of over 1,500 CFDA members including fashion editors, retailers, and stylists. Award winners ...History · CFDA Fashion Awards · Programs · Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
  68. [68]
    1996 CFDA Fashion Awards - Getty Images
    Ed Burns and Maxine Bahns during 1996 CFDA Fashion Awards at Lincoln Center in New York City, New York, United States. Isaac Mizrahi during 1996 CFDA Fashion ...Missing: winners | Show results with:winners
  69. [69]
    How Kate Spade Changed the Accessory Game - theFashionSpot
    Jun 5, 2018 · The Council of Fashion Designers of America honored the designer as an emerging talent in 1996 and in 1998, she won the Accessory Designer of ...
  70. [70]
    Kate Spade through the years - Chron
    Jun 5, 2018 · 1998: 17th Annual CFDA Awards Kate Spade during 17th Annual CFDA Awards at JP Morgan Atrium in New York City, New York, United States. Photo by ...
  71. [71]
    https://www.wwd.com/eye/people/gallery/kate-spade-through-the-years-remembering-the-late-designer-1202692372/
  72. [72]
    Kate Spade - Entrepreneur Hall of Fame
    Spade's work has been renowned globally, with accolades including America's New Fashion Talent in Accessories and Best Accessory Designer of the Year by The ...
  73. [73]
    [PDF] Kate Spade - NOTABLE MISSOURIANS AND TIGERS COLLECTION
    Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. In 2004, Spade published three books on etiquette, entertainment and fashion: Manners ...
  74. [74]
    It's in the bag - Forbes
    Dec 28, 1998 · Without a business plan or a single backer, Kate Spade quit her job as accessories editor for Mademoiselle and launched her own handbag ...
  75. [75]
    Why Kate Spade Won't See A Penny Of The $2.4 Billion Sale To ...
    May 8, 2017 · In 1999, they sold a 56% stake to Neiman Marcus for $34 million. Then, in 2006, Spade and her two partners sold the remaining 44% to Neiman for ...<|control11|><|separator|>