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==Death==
==Death==
A housekeeper found Spade dead in her Manhattan apartment on June 5, 2018. Her death was ruled as suicide by hanging. Police reported she had left a note addressed to her daughter.<ref>{{cite news |work= New York Times | date= June 5, 2018| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html |accessdate = June 5, 2018|first1= Jonah Engel |last1= Bromwich | first2=Vanessa | last2= Friedman|first3=Matthew |last3= Schneier |title = Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55}}</ref><!-- no need for more citations unless you are adding information that requires a citation --> On June 6, Spade's husband released a statement regarding her death and the fact that she had suffered from [[Depression (mood)|depression]]; it read, in part,
A housekeeper found Spade dead in her Manhattan apartment on June 5, 2018. Her death was ruled as suicide by hanging. Police reported she had left a note addressed to her daughter.<ref>{{cite news |work= New York Times | date= June 5, 2018| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/fashion/kate-spade-dead.html |accessdate = June 5, 2018|first1= Jonah Engel |last1= Bromwich | first2=Vanessa | last2= Friedman|first3=Matthew |last3= Schneier |title = Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55}}</ref><!-- no need for more citations unless you are adding information that requires a citation --> On June 6, Andy Spade released a statement regarding her death and the fact that she had suffered from [[Depression (mood)|depression]]; it read, in part,
<blockquote>Kate suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. She was actively seeking help and working closely with her 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.<ref name="VarietyStatement">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/kate-spade-husband-death-statement-1202834789/|title=Kate Spade’s Husband Issues Statement: She ‘Suffered From Depression and Anxiety’|last=Carras|first=Christi|date=2018-06-06|work=Variety|access-date=2018-06-06|language=en-US}}</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>Kate suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. She was actively seeking help and working closely with her 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.<ref name="VarietyStatement">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/kate-spade-husband-death-statement-1202834789/|title=Kate Spade's Husband Issues Statement: She 'Suffered From Depression and Anxiety'|last=Carras|first=Christi|date=2018-06-06|work=Variety|access-date=2018-06-06|language=en-US}}</ref></blockquote>
After Spade's death, her sister, Reta Saffo, told the media her suicide was "not unexpected". She believed Kate had suffered from [[bipolar disorder]] throughout her life, aggravated by the fame and wealth she achieved in her 30s. "She never expected it—nor was she properly prepared for it"<ref name="Kansas City Star Reta Saffo story">{{cite news|title=Kate Spade suffered years of mental illness, sister says. Suicide 'not unexpected'|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article212609069.html|newspaper=[[Kansas City Star]]|date=June 5, 2018|accessdate=June 6, 2018}}</ref>

Saffo told the ''[[Kansas City Star]]'' that she had on several occasions tried to convince her sister to get treatment, only to have her change her mind at the last minute, fearing that the stigma of mental illness would hurt her brand. "She was definitely worried about what people would say if they found out" and thus dealt with her condition with alcohol instead. "After numerous attempts, I finally let go," Saffo wrote. "Sometimes you simply cannot SAVE people from themselves!"<ref name="Kansas City Star Reta Saffo story" />

Saffo believed Kate had been planning to kill herself for some time. In 2014, she recalled that her sister was captivated by extensive media coverage of actor [[Robin Williams]]' death, also a suicide by hanging. "I think the plan was already in motion even as far back as then." The last time the two had talked, she said, Kate had asked her to come to her funeral even though she knew Saffo did not like going to those events.<ref name="Kansas City Star Reta Saffo story" />

The rest of the family, who have 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."<ref name="NBC News family statement story">{{cite news|title='It Finally Took Its Toll': Kate Spade's Sister Alleges Longtime Struggle After Fashion Icon's Apparent NYC Suicide|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Kate-Spade-Dead-Suicide-NYC-Sister-Statement-484664141.html|newspaper=[[NBC News]]|date=June 6, 2018|accessdate=June 6, 2018}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==

Revision as of 02:49, 7 June 2018

Kate Spade
Born
Katherine Noel Brosnahan

(1962-12-24)December 24, 1962
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJune 5, 2018(2018-06-05) (aged 55)
New York City, U.S.
Cause of deathSuicide by hanging
NationalityAmerican
Other namesKate Valentine
EducationArizona State University (B.S. – 1985)
Occupation(s)Fashion designer, businesswoman
Known forKate Spade New York
Frances Valentine
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1994; "her death" is deprecated; use "died" instead. 2018)​
Children1
RelativesDavid Spade (brother-in-law)
Rachel Brosnahan (niece)

Katherine Noel Brosnahan (December 24, 1962 – June 5, 2018), known professionally as Kate Spade or Kate Valentine,[1][2][3] was an American fashion designer and businesswoman. She was the founder and former co-owner of the designer brand Kate Spade New York.

After working in the accessories department at the fashion magazine Mademoiselle, Brosnahan and her husband Andy Spade founded the business in 1993, identifying a market for quality stylish handbags. Those she designed and produced quickly became popular, and the company expanded into other product lines. In 1999 she sold a 56% stake in Kate Spade New York to Neiman Marcus Group; in 2006 she sold the rest of her shares.[4] In 2016, she and partners launched a new fashion brand called Frances Valentine.[1]

Kate Spade logo

Early life

Brosnahan was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of June (Mullen) and Earl Francis Brosnahan.[5] She was of mostly Irish descent.[5] She graduated from St. Teresa's Academy, an all-girl Catholic high school. She attended the University of Kansas and then transferred to Arizona State University, joined Kappa Kappa Gamma, and graduated with a degree in journalism in 1985.[6]

In 1986, Spade worked in the accessories department at Mademoiselle in Manhattan, where she was credited in the magazine's masthead by her maiden name, as Katy Brosnahan. While at Mademoiselle, she moved in with Andy Spade, a native of Scottsdale, Arizona. The two had worked side-by-side as salespersons in a men's clothing store, Carter's Men Shop, in Phoenix.[7]

She left Mademoiselle in 1991, with the title of senior fashion editor/head of accessories[8]. While working for Mademoiselle, she had noticed that the market lacked stylish and sensible handbags, and decided to create her own.[9]

Career

A Kate Spade New York store
Main article: Kate Spade New York

Kate and Andy Spade launched the New York–based design company "kate spade handbags" in January 1993.[10] The company sold mainly handbags at first, but soon extended to clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationery, eyewear, baby items, fragrances, tabletop, bedding and gifts. In 1996, the Kate Spade brand opened its first boutique, a 400-square-foot shop located in Manhattan's trendy SoHo district, and moved its headquarters into a 10,000-square-foot space in West 25th Street.[11]

In 2004, "Kate Spade at home" was launched as a home collection brand. It featured bedding, bath items, china, wallpaper and various items for the home.[12] She also shared about her personal style and philosophies in her three books: Manners, Occasions, and Style. In 2004 a store was opened in Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan.[13]

Neiman Marcus Group purchased 56% of the Kate Spade brand in 1999, and the remaining 44% in 2006.[4] Neiman Marcus sold the Kate Spade label in 2006 for $124 million to Liz Claiborne Inc., which was later renamed to Fifth & Pacific.[4][14] In February 2014, Fifth & Pacific changed its name to Kate Spade & Company.[15] Coach, Inc. acquired Kate Spade for $2.4 billion in May 2017.[16]

Frances Valentine

After selling the remaining portion of her ownership stake in the Kate Spade brand in 2006,[4] Spade took time off to raise her daughter. In 2016, she and her partners launched a new brand called Frances Valentine, a collection of luxury footwear and handbags.[17] The name for the new brand is derived from Frances, a longtime family name on her paternal side. Spade's daughter is named Frances, as was her grandfather, father, and brother. The name Valentine came from Spade's maternal side; it was her grandfather's middle name – he was born on Valentine's Day. In 2016, Spade changed her surname to Valentine.[1][18][failed verification]

Personal life

Spade married Andy Spade, the brother of actor/comedian David Spade, in 1994.[5] The couple had one child, Frances Beatrix Spade, born in 2005.[19] The actress Rachel Brosnahan is Spade's niece.[20]

Death

A housekeeper found Spade dead in her Manhattan apartment on June 5, 2018. Her death was ruled as suicide by hanging. Police reported she had left a note addressed to her daughter.[21] On June 6, Andy Spade released a statement regarding her death and the fact that she had suffered from depression; it read, in part,

Kate suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. She was actively seeking help and working closely with her 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.[22]

After Spade's death, her sister, Reta Saffo, told the media her suicide was "not unexpected". She believed Kate had suffered from bipolar disorder throughout her life, aggravated by the fame and wealth she achieved in her 30s. "She never expected it—nor was she properly prepared for it"[23]

Saffo told the Kansas City Star that she had on several occasions tried to convince her sister to get treatment, only to have her change her mind at the last minute, fearing that the stigma of mental illness would hurt her brand. "She was definitely worried about what people would say if they found out" and thus dealt with her condition with alcohol instead. "After numerous attempts, I finally let go," Saffo wrote. "Sometimes you simply cannot SAVE people from themselves!"[23]

Saffo believed Kate had been planning to kill herself for some time. In 2014, she recalled that her sister was captivated by extensive media coverage of actor Robin Williams' death, also a suicide by hanging. "I think the plan was already in motion even as far back as then." The last time the two had talked, she said, Kate had asked her to come to her funeral even though she knew Saffo did not like going to those events.[23]

The rest of the family, who have 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."[24]

Awards

In 1996, the Council of Fashion Designers of America awarded Spade "America's New Fashion Talent in Accessories" for her classic designs. In 1998, CFDA again honored her for "Best Accessory Designer of the Year".[25]

Her home collection won her three design awards in 2004, including, House Beautiful's "Giants of Design Award for Tastemaker", Bon Appétit's "American Food and Entertaining Award for Designer of the Year", and Elle Decor's "Elle Decor International Design Award for Bedding".[25]

In 2017, she was inducted into the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri, Kansas City.[26]

Also in 2017, she was named one of the Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company.[27]

See also


References

  1. ^ a b c Kapner, Suzanne (August 23, 2016). "When Is Kate Spade Not Kate Spade? When She's Frances Valentine". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 24, 2016. one of her first acts was to find a new name. Now, she's Katherine Noel Frances Valentine Brosnahan. In stores, she's Frances Valentine.
  2. ^ "Kate & Andy Spade Interview on How I Built This by Guy Raz". NPR. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  3. ^ Ana Colon. "Designer Kate Spade Name Change Frances Valentine". Refinery29.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d "Neiman Marcus to Sell Kate Spade". The Wall Street Journal. New York City. November 8, 2006. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Irish American fashion designer Kate Spade dead of apparent suicide". Irish Central. June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018. Three of her great-grandparents were Irish emigrants.
  6. ^ Bumiller, Elisabeth (March 12, 1999). "PUBLIC LIVES; A Cautious Rise to a Top Name in Fashion". The New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  7. ^ Ellyn Spragins, How We Bagged Our Careers", Fortune Small Business, September 1, 2003.
  8. ^ "Kate Spade, American Designer Whose Bags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55". www.msn.com. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  9. ^ Lieber, Chavie (March 2, 2016). "Kate Spade Brand Bags". Racked.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  10. ^ "Kate Spade Biography". Biography.com. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  11. ^ "kate spade LLC – Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on kate spade LLC" Reference for Business. retrieved May 15, 2015.
  12. ^ "Kate Spade Announces the Launch of kate spade Home; Company Signs Licensing Agreements with Scalamandre Lenox, And Springs".
  13. ^ Abbey, Cherie D., ed. (2007). Biography today : profiles of people of interest to young readers. Detroit, Mich.: Omnigraphics. p. 137–140. ISBN 078080970X.
  14. ^ "Kate Spade Seems Totally Detached From Her Multimillion Dollar Namesake Brand". Business Insider. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  15. ^ Lockwood, Lisa (February 3, 2014). "Kate Spade Gears Up for Growth". WWD. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  16. ^ Petroff, Alanna (May 8, 2017). "Coach Kate Spade Takeover". CNN. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  17. ^ "Meet Kate & Andy Spade's New Venture, Frances Valentine". Fast Company. August 8, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  18. ^ Iredale, Jessica (November 4, 2015). "Kate Spade, the Person, Has a New Venture: Frances Valentine". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  19. ^ "Kate Spade's Frances Valentine collection was named after late designer's daughter". Newsweek. June 5, 2018.
  20. ^ Schmidt, Ingrid (October 13, 2015). "Rachel Brosnahan of 'Manhattan' undertakes her own special fashion project". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  21. ^ Bromwich, Jonah Engel; Friedman, Vanessa; Schneier, Matthew (June 5, 2018). "Kate Spade, Whose Handbags Carried Women Into Adulthood, Is Dead at 55". New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  22. ^ Carras, Christi (June 6, 2018). "Kate Spade's Husband Issues Statement: She 'Suffered From Depression and Anxiety'". Variety. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  23. ^ a b c "Kate Spade suffered years of mental illness, sister says. Suicide 'not unexpected'". Kansas City Star. June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  24. ^ "'It Finally Took Its Toll': Kate Spade's Sister Alleges Longtime Struggle After Fashion Icon's Apparent NYC Suicide". NBC News. June 6, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  25. ^ a b Gundry, Lisa; Kickul, Jill. Entrepreneurship Strategy: Changing Patterns in New Venture Creation, Growth, and Reinvention. SAGE Publications. ISBN 9781483316857.
  26. ^ "Honoring Role Models" (Press release). UMKC Today. March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017. {{cite press release}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  27. ^ "Check out Kate Valentine, one of Fast Company's Most Creative People". Fast Company. January 22, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.

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