Remembering Kate Spade

As a household name and fashion icon the tragedy of Kate Spade's suicide is a reminder to all of us of how precious life is. Kate Spade was pronounced dead early Tuesday morning in her New York City apartment. She was a mother of Frances Spade who is 13 and married to Andy Spade.

Kate Spade brought out a combination of femme and color with her stylish purses. She will be remembered for her pops of color and accentuating a dark outfit with a bright shining stylish purse. Kate designed her purses with in the working girl in mind stating the purses were to “assume the personality of the wearer, not the reverse.” Twice, The Council Of Fashion Designers of America, awarded Spade as Americas New Fashion Talent in Accessories in 1996 and Best Accessory Designer in 1998.

Kate Spade was born in Kansas City, but that did not stop her from pursing bright and bold fashion. In an interview she discussed her interest in fashion from such a young age commenting on her unique style back then. “I would have my mother take me to vintage stores and wear leopard swing coats and cigarette pants. In Kansas City I looked very odd.” She went on to earn a degree in Journalism from Arizona State University. She met her husband, Andy as a student at ASU. The couple then moved to NYC where Kate started out as a fashion editor for Mademoiselle and soon started her handbag business in 1993 with her husband. Mrs. Spade took a sabbatical break from fashion in 2006 when she sold the company in order to spend more time with her daughter Frances.

No longer affiliated with the company a spokeswoman from Kate Spade exclaimed “Although Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand, Kate will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time.”

Our thoughts are also with the Spade family at this time. 

-Teaghan Skulszki