Date of Birth: December 24, 1962
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: June 5, 2018
Biography
Katherine Noel Brosnahan, professionally known as Kate Spade, was an iconic American fashion designer and businesswoman. Born on December 24, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri, Kate Spade co-founded the designer brand Kate Spade New York in 1993 with her husband, Andy Spade. Initially focusing on handbags, the brand quickly expanded to include clothing, accessories, and home goods, garnering widespread acclaim for its vibrant, playful, and sophisticated style. A graduate of Arizona State University, where she earned a degree in journalism, Spade started her career in the accessories department of Mademoiselle magazine. Her time in the fashion industry inspired her to create her own line of handbags, which she launched with a blend of practicality and chic design. The brand’s success led to its acquisition by Neiman Marcus Group in 2006, and later by Tapestry, Inc. (formerly Coach, Inc.) in 2017. After leaving her namesake brand, Spade launched a new venture, Frances Valentine, in 2016, marking her return to the fashion world with a fresh line of handbags and accessories. Despite her professional success, Kate Spade struggled with mental health issues and tragically passed away on June 5, 2018, in New York City.
5 Interesting Facts about Kate Spade
1. Kate Spade met her future husband and business partner, Andy Spade, while they were both students at Arizona State University.
2. The iconic “Sam” handbag was one of the first designs that catapulted Kate Spade New York to fame.
3. Kate Spade was honored with the “America’s New Fashion Talent in Accessories” award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1996.
4. In 2004, Spade’s brand expanded into stationery, shoes, beauty products, eyewear, and home decor.
5. Kate Spade’s niece is actress Rachel Brosnahan, known for her role in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Kate Spade
1. “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.”
2. “I think that playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends.”
3. “Style is the sum of so many things—beginning with a sense of who you are and having self-confidence.”
4. “She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes.”
5. “I believed that I could, so I did.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Kate Spade’s net worth was estimated to be around $200 million.
Children
Kate Spade had one daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, born in 2005 with her husband Andy Spade.
Relevant Links
1. [Kate Spade New York Official Website](https://www.katespade.com/
2. [Biography on Business of Fashion](https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/kate-spade
3. [Kate Spade’s Legacy – Vogue](https://www.vogue.com/article/kate-spade-legacy
4. [New York Times Obituary](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/style/kate-spade-dead.html
5. [Frances Valentine Official Website](https://www.francesvalentine.com/
