Kate Spade honours late founder at NY Fashion Week
NEW YORK: Kate Spade put the sparkle into New York Fashion Week on Friday, paying tribute in a riot of colour to the handbag brand’s founder, three months after her tragic death. It was the label’ s first runway show at the bi-annual style fest, having previously opted for Instagram- able presentations, held this time in the lofty
Even though she hasn’t been here for over 10 years, her spirit’s definitely still here at the company.
Nicola Glass, Kate Spade creative director
surrounds of the iconic New York Public Library.
The new creative director, Northern Ireland-born Nicola Glass, was already working on her debut collection when 55year- old Spade, who founded the company with her husband, committed suicide in June.
Silver glitter ran down the centre of the pale pinkcarpeted runway, a nod to the woman whose brand has been synonymous with a joyful outlook on life since its founding in 1993. “She left a little sparkle everywhere she went,” said a pink note left on the seat of every guest. “In loving memory 19622018.”
“Even though she hasn’t been here for over 10 years, her spirit’s defi nitely still here at the company,” Glass, a former Gucci handbag and jewellery designer who previously worked at Michael Kors, told AFP.
The collection was rooted in the brand’s DNA: colour, fun, joyfulness for spirited women, sophisticated and feminine, yet wearable from day to evening.
Kate Spade’s spring/ summer 2019 is one of pale lilac, hot pink, dark green, chartreuse, florals and print, with block-heeled sandals and knee-high boots, and liberal use of the spade symbol. “It feels more modern, less retro, there’s more polished ease to it and prints, they’ve been evolved in a way where they’re a little bit more graphic with unexpected details,” Glass told AFP. Pale white balloon- style lights were suspended from the ceiling and an unusually diverse stream of models, although each very slim, strode the runway before taking their places on silver diases. Besides the silk dresses, cropped pants, checked suiting and buttoned mini- skirts, they sported purses, sunglasses and silk headscarves knotted at the nape of the neck.
“She’s a woman who, I think, is in love with life and has a sense of purpose,” said Glass.
Spade sold her last shares in her namesake brand in the mid-2000s. The company is now owned by Tapestry, but Glass hailed Spade as a role model woman, entrepreneur and designer.
Spade committed suicide in her Park Avenue apartment on June 5, having battled with depression and anxiety for years despite a dazzling career that made her the darling of American career women. — AFP