Age, Biography, and Wiki
Katherine Noel Valentine Brosnahan Spade was born on December 24, 1962, and passed away on June 5, 2018, at the age of 55. She was a prominent figure in the fashion industry, co-founding Kate Spade New York with her husband Andy Spade in 1993. Her designs were known for their clean lines and understated aesthetic, which quickly gained popularity.
| Occupation | Fashion Designers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 24 December 1962 |
| Age | 62 Years |
| Birth Place | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 5 June, 2018 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Height, Weight & Measurements
Unfortunately, detailed measurements such as height and weight are not readily available in public sources.
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Dating & Relationship Status
Kate Spade was married to Andy Spade, brother of actor David Spade. The couple founded Kate Spade New York together and were instrumental in its growth before selling their shares.
She was of mostly Irish descent. After graduating from St. Teresa's Academy, an all-female Catholic high school, Spade attended the University of Kansas. She later transferred to Arizona State University. She joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and graduated with a journalism degree in 1985, thinking she would go into television production. While in college, she worked in sales at Carter's Men Shop, a men's clothing store in Phoenix; her co-worker was Andy Spade, who later became her husband and business partner.
A housekeeper found Spade dead in her Manhattan apartment on June 5, 2018. Her death was ruled a suicide by hanging. Police reported that she had left a note, which was addressed to her daughter. The day after his wife's death, Andy Spade released a statement: "Kate suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. She was actively seeking help and working closely with doctors to treat her disease, one that takes far too many lives. We were in touch with her the night before and she sounded happy. There was no indication and no warning that she would do this. It was a complete shock. And it clearly wasn't her. There were personal demons she was battling."
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| Husband | Andy Spade (m. 1994) |
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Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her death in 2018, Kate Spade's net worth was estimated to be around $100 million. However, the Kate Spade brand itself was valued at $2.4 billion when it was acquired by Coach in 2017.
After Spade's death, her sister, Reta Saffo, told the media her suicide was "not unexpected". She believed Spade had suffered from bipolar disorder throughout her life, aggravated by the fame and wealth she achieved in her 30s. On several occasions, Reta had tried to convince her sister to get treatment, but Spade feared the stigma of mental illness would hurt her brand. Saffo suspected her sister had been contemplating suicide since actor Robin Williams hanged himself in 2014, media coverage of which, she claimed, captivated Spade. The last time the two had talked, she said, Spade had asked her to come to her funeral, even though she knew Saffo did not like going to those events. She insisted to Saffo that she was not considering suicide.
Career, Business, and Investments
- Founding of Kate Spade New York: Kate Spade launched her brand with a line of handbags in 1993, which quickly became popular for their unique designs.
- Business Expansion: The company expanded into various retail outlets and high-end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale's.
- Investments: Kate Spade and her husband invested in a television network called Plum TV and launched a new brand, Frances Valentine, in 2016.
- Brand Acquisitions: The couple sold a majority stake to Neiman Marcus in 1999 and the remainder in 2006, but did not benefit from the $2.4 billion sale to Coach in 2017.
Katherine Noel Valentine Brosnahan Spade (born Katherine Noel Brosnahan; December 24, 1962 – June 5, 2018) was an American fashion designer and entrepreneur. She was the co-founder and co-owner of the designer brand Kate Spade New York.
Spade made six prototypes with Scotch tape and paper, and found a manufacturer in East New York willing to work with a startup to produce the bags. To finance the company, Andy, who had worked as a copywriter, withdrew his 401(k) pension plan and sometimes paid employees with personal checks. The couple spent their shipping season living at friends' apartments, since their own was filled with boxed handbags.
Young American women at the time also liked the bags' sophisticated look. One woman recalled that the Kate Spade bags looked "mature, without being too adult for a teenager," unlike higher-priced brands such as Burberry or Louis Vuitton. "At the turn of the last century, her bag came to encapsulate a decidedly Manhattan moment in time", a moment when Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour recalled that it was impossible to walk a block in the city without seeing one. The company exclusively sold handbags at first, but soon expanded to clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationery, eyewear, baby items, fragrances, and gifts. In 1996, the Kate Spade brand opened its first boutique, a 400 sqft shop in Manhattan's trendy SoHo district, and moved its headquarters into a 10000 sqft space on West 25th Street.
By 2006, Spade had sold the remaining 44% of her shares to Neiman Marcus Group. The group sold the label in 2006 to Liz Claiborne Inc., for $124 million; it was later renamed Fifth & Pacific. The company was later purchased by Coach, Inc. in May 2017; both Coach and Kate Spade are now part of Tapestry, Inc.
After Spade's death, the brand released a collection of designs called "Love Katy" in her memory. Spade had several years' worth of designs and inspirations for the brand, and the company plans to launch them.
The rest of the family, who had not been close to Saffo for a decade, disputed this characterization. A source close to them told NBC News that they were "disgusted and saddened" at Saffo's remarks. "Her statement paints a picture of someone who did not know [Kate] at all." Spade's older brother Earl Brosnahan did allow that Spade had been the only one in the family who still spoke to Saffo, but only "sporadically". He nevertheless called Saffo's accounts "grossly inaccurate". Elyce Arons, one of her business partners, also recalled to The New York Times that she had on several occasions heard Spade say that she "would never do that" when news broke of a celebrity's suicide.
Following her death, the flagship Kate Spade New York store in Manhattan (and soon other stores nationwide) displayed a sign in its front window reading: "Kate Spade, the visionary founder of our brand, has passed. Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly heartbreaking time. We honor all the beauty she brought into this world."
Social Network
Kate Spade was not highly active on social media herself, but her brand maintains a strong presence across major platforms.
Education
Specific details about Kate Spade's formal education are not widely documented. However, her background in fashion and design was evident through her successful career.
In conclusion, Kate Spade's legacy in the fashion world continues to thrive through the brand she founded, despite her untimely passing. Her innovative designs and entrepreneurial spirit have left a lasting impact on the industry.
