Kate Spade was the co-founder and co-owner of the designer brand Kate Spade New York.
19 Facts About Kate Spade
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Kate Spade joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and graduated with a journalism degree in 1985, thinking she would go into television production.
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Kate Spade left Mademoiselle in 1991, achieving the rank of senior fashion editor and head of accessories.
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Kate Spade considered a number of names, but agreed when Andy suggested "Kate Spade", as she would take the name Spade after their marriage.
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Kate 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.
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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.
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Kate Spade exclusively sold handbags at first, but soon expanded to clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationery, eyewear, baby items, fragrances, and gifts.
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In 1996, the Kate Spade brand opened its first boutique, a 400-square-foot shop in Manhattan's trendy SoHo district, and moved its headquarters into a 10,000-square-foot space on West 25th Street.
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Kate Spade had two brand extensions called Kate Spade Saturday and Jack Spade.
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Kate Spade Saturday carried more casual handbags and apparel, but had heavy promotions and eventually closed in 2015.
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Jack Spade was a menswear line created by Kate Spade that offered men's leather goods and accessories, but that closed in 2015.
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Kate Spade published three books on the subjects of etiquette, entertainment, and fashion: Manners, Occasions, and Style, respectively.
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Kate Spade was later purchased by Coach, Inc in May 2017; both Coach and Kate Spade are now part of Tapestry, Inc.
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Kate Spade had several years' worth of designs and inspirations for the brand, and the company plans to launch them.
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The day after his wife's death, Andy Kate Spade released a statement:.
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Kate Spade was actively seeking help and working closely with doctors to treat her disease, one that takes far too many lives.
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Kate Spade believed Spade had suffered from bipolar disorder throughout her life, aggravated by the fame and wealth she achieved in her 30s.
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The last time the two had talked, she said, Kate Spade had asked her to come to her funeral, even though she knew Saffo did not like going to those events.
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Kate Spade insisted to Saffo that she was not considering suicide.