Summary of The Life of Kate Spade
| Kate Spade was a fashion designer who significantly impacted the industry in the 1990s with her stylish and modern handbags and accessories.
Her brand became a staple for many adult women in the United States, signifying status and adulthood. Spade established her brand in 1993, which grew to physical stores and distribution through luxury retailers such as Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. Despite having no prior business experience, Kate’s life story is an inspiration for many female entrepreneurs. In 1991, Kate resigned from Mademoiselle and channeled her creative abilities into creating her fashion line. Unfortunately, her brand did not become an instant success. Still, she and her husband, Andy Spade, operated the company from their loft, storing and shipping their handbag prototypes from their home. Kate possessed a unique talent for designing practical yet fashionable products and creating a visual style that women wanted to be associated with. The Spades expanded their catalog beyond signature bags to eyewear, paper goods, and shoes. They also opened several outlets and sold their products in luxury stores like Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus. In 2006, Kate and Andy sold the Kate Spade brand to focus on raising their daughter. Kate Spade tried her hand at another venture in 2016, teaming up with Elyce Arons and Paola Venturi to launch a fashion company named Frances Valentine. Sadly, Kate Spade was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on June 5, 2018, in an apparent suicide. |
The Life Story of Kate Spade
Perhaps no other designer rocked the 1990s fashion industry more than Kate Spade.
Her signature handbags and accessories were a staple for many adult women in the United States. They signified status and adulthood.
Spade created a strong fashion brand that defined an entire decade’s look. What made her purses so popular in the ’90s was their stylish and modern design that made women proud to own a Kate Spade designer bag.
Spade established her brand of handbags in 1993. Over time, her business grew to physical stores and distributed merchandise through luxury retailers such as Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Her brand became beloved throughout the United States and globally.
Kate Spade did not have any prior experience in business when she launched her fashion company.
We dug deeper to learn why she chose an entrepreneurial career in the fashion industry. It turns out her life story is an inspiring piece for many female entrepreneurs.
“Everyone loves to get a letter. I love sending them. I love getting them.” ~ Kate Spade
Early Life and Education
Kate’s name before marriage was Katherine Noel Brosnahan. She was born on December 24, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri. Kate was of Irish heritage.
Spade studied at St. Teresa’s Academy, an all-girl Catholic high school. She later went to the University of Kansas before transferring to Arizona State University, where she completed her degree in journalism in 1985.
Kate financed her studies and campus life by working in a motorcycle bar and clothing store. She met her husband, Andy Spade, at the clothing store.
She worked in the women’s section while Andy was in the men’s. None of them knew they would one day work together to launch and grow a signature fashion brand.
“I hope that people remember me not just as a good businesswoman but as a great friend – and a heck of a lot of fun.” ~ Kate Spade
Early Career
Upon obtaining her journalism degree, Kate started working for Mademoiselle magazine in New York City. She spent five years at the magazine, climbing the ranks to become head of accessories and senior fashion editor.
During her time as the senior fashion editor, Kate recognized a shortage of practical yet fashionable handbags in the market.
She noticed that handbags were an uncharted category of accessories and that no brand applied much fashion sense to them.
Most women carried handbags as functional items to store essentials, not to improve their fashion style. She resigned from Mademoiselle in 1991 and channeled her creative abilities into creating her fashion line.
“Sometimes I shoot out of bed like it’s a relay race, and I’m on the phone, leaving voice mails. ~ Kate Spade
Introduction to Fashion
Kate Spade didn’t just bump into the idea of launching her signature handbag. She collected plenty of bags and often got a lot of compliments for the ones she carried.
This, combined with her discovery at Mademoiselle, inspired her to venture into this business.
Kate adored simple yet stylish handbags. Her bags bore no designer names. In fact, they had no names on them.
Whenever someone asked about her bags, she often described where she got them from or the type of bag, but never the designer name or brand.
Andy suggested that Kate try her hand at designing handbags. She, Andy, and another partner incorporated the company in 1993, funding the business using Andy’s salary and savings.
They named their venture Kate Spade New York (to combine Kate’s and Andy’s names). The brand name became a natural blend when the couple married a year later.
Becoming a Fashion Icon
Kate Spade New York did not become an instant success. Kate and her husband operated the company from their loft. They stored and shipped their handbag prototypes from their home.
Sales in 1993 amounted to $100,000. Figures rocketed to $1.5 million by 1995, and $27 million by 1998. However, the company did not become profitable until 1996.
Kate and Andy possessed a unique talent for not only designing products that were appealing and practical, like a fashionable and functional bag, but also creating a visual style that women wanted to be associated with.
It got to a point where when two women met and were carrying a Kate Spade bag, they would nod at each other as a sign of familiarity.
The Spades expanded their catalog beyond signature bags to eyewear, paper goods, and shoes. They also opened several outlets and sold their products in luxury stores like Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus.
In 1996, Kate received the American New Fashion Talent in Accessories Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. She was also named Woman of the Year by Glamour in 2002.
In 2004, Spade published three books, Manners, Occasions, and Style, in which she shared her personal style and beliefs.
She and her spouse sold the Kate Spade brand in 2006 to focus their time on raising their daughter. The Spades also invested in a small cable network called Plum TV.
Kate Spade tried her hand at another venture in 2016. She teamed up with Elyce Arons, a longtime friend, and Paola Venturi, a shoe designer, to launch a fashion company named Frances Valentine.
However, Kate did not live long enough to see the success of this company.
“I find color optimistic and enthusiastic, and I adore it.” ~ Kate Spade
Personal Life
Kate Spade married Andy Spade in 1994. The couple was blessed with one daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, born in 2005.
Kate and Andy stayed and worked together in business until Kate died in 2018. Although they never legally separated, they started living apart a few months before Kate’s death.
Philanthropy and Charity Work
Kate Spade loved and supported the arts. She often said, “To lead a fascinating life, one brimming with art, music, intrigue, and romance, you must surround yourself with precisely those things.”
Kate involved herself in various organizations that promoted creativity and cultural development.
Kate was also known to financially support the New York Center for Children, which provides counseling and support services for abused children and their families.
Like many businesses in the apparel, home, and children’s product sectors, Kate donated new merchandise and products to help people in need through a charity called Delivering Good.
“I’m admittedly not that into the Internet.” ~ Kate Spade
Tragic Death
On June 5, 2018, Kate Spade was found dead in her Manhattan apartment. The medical examiner ruled it a suicide. She left a note for her young daughter.
Before her tragic death, Kate had sold all her stake in the business and lived separately from her husband for a few months.
Her family released a statement acknowledging her struggle with depression and anxiety.
She had even been receiving treatment. Andy Spade stated that they had been in touch the previous night, and there was no indication that she intended to harm herself.
People globally mourned the loss of the designer.
Many had difficulties reconciling the happy-go-lucky image of the Kate Spade brand with its owner, who had succumbed to mental illness.
Many women paid tribute to her on social media and shared personal stories of the glorious feelings they got from her signature products.
Kate’s legacy lives on through her brand and the experiences she created for her customers. She remains an influential force in the fashion world.
Her impact is also visible through the Frances Valentine shoe line (now run by her best friend) and the Kate Spade New York Foundation, established to support mental health initiatives and empower women.
Conclusion
Kate Spade was a visionary who, through her brand, shared her love for color and style with other women and quickly rose to fame in the fashion industry.
The success of her brand is because she put her personality into her work. She was an inspiring businesswoman who lived true to her quote: “She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes.”
“If you’re as honest and fair as you can be, not only in business but in life, things will work out.” ~ Kate Spade
Kate Spade Timeline
Kate Spade Timeline1962:
Kate Valentine Spade (née Brosnahan) was born in Kansas City, Missouri.
1985:
After graduating from Arizona State University, Kate moved to New York.
1991:
Spade, who has no formal design training, was the senior fashion editor at Mademoiselle when she decided to create her handbag line.
1993:
Kate and Andy Spade founded the Kate Spade brand, which had as its centerpiece the Sam Bag, a boxy handbag that would become a brand icon.
1994:
Andy Spade and Kate were married.
1996:
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) awarded Spade the New Fashion Talent in Accessories prize.
1998:
The Council of Fashion Designers of America awards Kate the Best Accessory Designer of the Year.
2006:
Spade sold the remaining shares of her company.
2018:
On June 5th, Kate Spade passed away.
Lesson From The Life of Kate Spade
From all the lessons we can take from the life of Kate Spade, the following one stood out for me.
Kate was adamant about being the best and most truthful version of herself. She told Glamour magazine: “If you’re as honest and fair as you can be, not only in business but life, things will work out.”
I agree with Kate Spade’s view that being honest and fair is the right thing to do.
But will it always Work out for you? I would say most of the time, but there are times when you do your best, things don’t go as planned, and you feel it’s unfair.
In this circumstance, you were truthful and did your best. Therefore you don’t have to feel bad about the situation because you did your part, and maybe the outcome is to your benefit for a new path.
I would advise you to avoid the temptation of cheating, lying, and being unfair. Even if you achieve your goal, you may not feel good about how you got there.
Being honest and truthful strengthens your character and allows you to feel better about yourself regardless of your success or failure because you cannot feel bad about your behavior.
So, in conclusion, be honest and fair, and you will feel good about yourself no matter what.
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12 Facts About Kate Spade
- Since 2007, Kate Spade Had Not Been Involved in the Company.
- Rachel Brosnahan and David Spade Were Part of Her Extended Family.
- In 1985, She Graduated With a Journalism Degree From Arizona State University.
- Prior to Designing, She Worked as a Journalist.
- The Iconic Kate Spade Sam Bag Is Making a Comeback.
- Her Ancestry Was Mainly Irish.
- Katherine Noel Brosnahan Was Her Real Name.
- St. Teresa’s Academy Was an All-Girl Catholic High School Where She Graduated.
- In College, She Was a Kappa Kappa Gamma!
- Initially, She Worked in the Accessories Department at Mademoiselle Manhattan in 1986.
- Andy Spade, David Spade’s Brother, Was Her Husband.
- In Manhattan’s Trendy Soho District, Kate Spade Opened Its First Boutique in 1996.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kate Spade
The information in this post answers many of the questions about Kate Spade. This section provides a summary and any additional information.
What Was Kate Spade Famous For?
She was known for the Kate Spade New York fashion label.
How Did Kate Spade Die?
A housekeeper discovered Spade’s body in her Manhattan apartment on June 5, 2018. It was determined that she had committed suicide.
Who owns Kate Spade now?
Liz Claiborne owned Kate Spade from 2006 to 2017. Coach, now called Tapestry, acquired the company for $2.4 billion in 2017.
When Did Kate Spade Start Her Company?
January 1993, Kate Spade New York.
Where Was Kate Spade Born?
Kansas City, Missouri, was her birthplace.
What Influenced the Designs of Kate Spade?
Vanity Fair reported Spade was inspired by the bags in her mother’s Kansas City closet.
What Is the Net Worth of Kate Spade?
In 2018, Kate Spade had an approximate net worth of $200 million.
What Did Kate Spade Do Before Becoming a Fashion Designer?
Kate was a senior editor/head of accessories at Mademoiselle.
What Type of Individual Was Kate Spade?
She was known for her energetic attitude and positivity and for being kind.
What Is the Purpose of the Kate Spade Foundation?
Throughout the year, the foundation donates $1,000,000 to programs that empower women economically, increase access to opportunities, and promote their mental health.
What Is the Real Name of Kate Spade?
Catherine Noel Frances Valentine Brosnahan.
When Did Kate Spade Pass Away?
Kate passed away on June 5, 2018; at the time of her death, she was 55 years old.
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