Kate Spade facts for kids

Katherine Noel Valentine Brosnahan Spade (born Katherine Noel Brosnahan; December 24, 1962 – June 5, 2018) was an American fashion designer and businesswoman. She was famous for co-founding the popular brand Kate Spade New York.

Early Life and Education

Kate Spade was born Katherine Noel Brosnahan in Kansas City, Missouri. Her parents were June and Francis Brosnahan. Her father owned a road-construction company. Kate was mostly of Irish descent.

She went to St. Teresa's Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school. After that, she attended the University of Kansas. Later, she moved to Arizona State University. She joined a sorority called Kappa Kappa Gamma. In 1985, she earned a journalism degree. She thought she would work in television.

While in college, Kate worked at a men's clothing store in Phoenix. There, she met Andy Spade. He later became her husband and business partner.

Career in Fashion

Starting in Magazines

By 1986, Kate and Andy moved to Manhattan. Kate worked in the accessories department at Mademoiselle magazine. She became a senior fashion editor and head of accessories.

Kate left Mademoiselle in 1991. She had noticed that it was hard to find stylish, affordable, and practical handbags. This gave her the idea to create her own.

Founding Kate Spade New York

The Kate Spade logo

A classic Kate Spade handbag

Kate and Andy started Kate Spade New York in January 1993. Kate wasn't sure what to name the brand at first. She and Andy weren't married yet. "Kate Brosnahan" seemed too long for a fashion label. Andy suggested "Kate Spade," which she liked. She would take his last name after they married.

Kate made six sample bags using Scotch tape and paper. She found a factory in East New York that would help a new company. To pay for the business, Andy used money from his retirement savings. Sometimes, he even paid employees with his personal checks. During shipping season, their apartment was full of handbag boxes. They often stayed at friends' homes.

At an early show, the department store Barneys ordered some bags. Kate decided to put the brand label on the outside of the bags. This change took her all night to do. But it helped make the brand famous.

The handbags quickly became very popular, especially in New York. They cost between $150 and $450. This was a big change in fashion. Fern Mallis, a fashion director, said everyone wanted Kate Spade bags. They were affordable, so people could buy more than one.

Young American women loved the bags' sophisticated look. One woman said they looked "mature, without being too adult for a teenager." They were different from more expensive brands like Burberry or Louis Vuitton. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour said it was impossible to walk a block in New York without seeing a Kate Spade bag.

A Kate Spade New York store in the Natick Mall, Massachusetts, in 2008

At first, the company only sold handbags. But soon, it grew to include clothing, jewelry, shoes, and more. In 1996, the first Kate Spade store opened in Manhattan's trendy SoHo area. It was a 400 square foot shop. The company's main office moved to a 10,000 square foot space.

Kate Spade also had two other brands. Kate Spade Saturday sold more casual items. Jack Spade was a menswear line for men's leather goods. Both of these brands closed in 2015.

In 1999, Kate Spade sold 56% of her business to Neiman Marcus Group. This helped the brand grow around the world.

In 2004, "Kate Spade at Home" was launched. This brand offered items for the home. It included bedding, bath items, and decorations. A Kate Spade store also opened in Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan.

Kate Spade also wrote three books. They were about good manners, hosting parties, and fashion.

By 2006, Kate Spade sold her remaining shares to Neiman Marcus Group. The brand was later bought by Liz Claiborne Inc. for $124 million. It was then renamed Fifth & Pacific. In 2017, Coach, Inc. bought the company. Both Coach and Kate Spade are now part of Tapestry, Inc..

Launching Frances Valentine

After selling her original brand, Kate Spade took some years off. She wanted to focus on her daughter, who was born in 2005.

In 2016, she started a new brand called Frances Valentine. It sold luxury shoes and handbags. The name came from family names. Frances was a family name on her father's side. Valentine was her maternal grandfather's middle name. He was born on Valentine's Day. Kate later legally added Valentine to her full name.

After Kate Spade passed away, the Frances Valentine brand released a collection called "Love Katy." This was in her memory. Kate had many designs ready for the brand. The company plans to launch them in the future.

Personal Life

Kate Spade married Andy Spade in 1994. Andy is the brother of actor and comedian David Spade.

Kate and Andy had one child, a daughter, who was born in 2005.

Actress Rachel Brosnahan is Kate Spade's niece. Kate Spade also appeared as herself in an episode of the TV show Just Shoot Me! in 2002. She was on the show with her brother-in-law, David Spade.

Passing Away

Kate Spade passed away in her Manhattan apartment on June 5, 2018.

Awards and Recognition

Kate Spade received many awards for her designs:

• In 1996, the Council of Fashion Designers of America gave her the "America's New Fashion Talent in Accessories" award. This was for her classic designs.
• In 1998, the same organization honored her again. She won "Best Accessory Designer of the Year."
• Her home collection won three design awards in 2004. These included House Beautiful's "Giants of Design Award for Tastemaker." She also won Bon Appétit's "American Food and Entertaining Award for Designer of the Year." And Elle Decor's "Elle Decor International Design Award for Bedding."
• In 2017, she was added to the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. This was at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
• Also in 2017, Fast Company magazine named her one of the Most Creative People in Business.

See also

In Spanish: Kate Spade para niños