Style guru had flair and sophistication
FASHION designer Kate Spade sent fashionistas into a frenzy with the launch of her iconic boxy black handbag in 1993. With a philosophy of simplicity, her elegant bags became something of a secret handshake between ladies.
“When two women met and saw they were both holding Kate Spade bags they’d nod at each other and understand they were on the same page. It was very chic,” one magazine journalist wrote.
It was not uncommon to see the Duchess of Cambridge or Pippa Middleton wearing her clothes or accessories at public events.
Katherine Noel Brosnahan was born in Kansas City, Missouri and in her early years wanted to become a TV producer. After graduating in journalism from Arizona State University in 1985 she worked at a men’s clothing store where she met future husband and business partner Andy Spade.
She joined Mademoiselle magazine in 1986 and eventually became accessories editor. In that role she became frustrated with the handbag industry, finding current styles over the top and unpractical.
Aiming to design “a functional bag that was sophisticated and had some style,” in 1993 she founded Kate Spade Handbags with Andy and a friend, Elyce Arons.
Three years later the couple opened their first boutique store and the success of the company went from there, with the label later going on to be sold in every major department store in America.
In 2004, five years after she had sold the majority share of her company, she branched out into home interiors and her products could be found overseas.
Despite her phenomenal success, in 2006 Spade sold the remaining stake in her brand, taking time off to raise her daughter Frances.
After a 10-year hiatus she launched a new collection of luxury footwear and handbags under the name Frances Valentine. Although appearing to be happy-go-lucky in public, Spade had a long history of mental illness, according to her sister Reta.
There have also been reports that her husband Andy wanted a divorce and the couple were said to be living separately at the time of her death, from an apparent suicide.
She is survived by her husband and Frances.