Buying a Kate Spade handbag was a coming-of-age ritual for a generation of American women. The designer created an accessories empire that helped define the look of an era. The purses she made became a status symbol and a token of adulthood. Ms. Spade, who was found dead on Tuesday in what police characterized as a suicide by hanging, worked as an editor before making the leap to designing, constructing her first sketches from paper and Scotch tape. She would come to attach her name to a bounty of products, and ideas: home goods and china and towels and so much else, all of it poised atop the thin line between accessibility and luxury. One of the first of a wave of American women to emerge as contemporary designers in the 1990s, Ms. Spade built a brand on the appeal of clothes and accessories that made shoppers smile. She embodied her own aesthetic, with her proto-1960s bouffant, nerd glasses and playful grin. Beneath that image was a business mind that understood the opportunities in building a lifestyle brand, almost before the term officially existed. Her name became shorthand for the cute, clever bags that were an instant hit with cosmopolitan women in the early stages of their careers and, later, young girls — status symbols of a more attainable, all-American sort than a Fendi clutch or Chanel bag. Ms. Spade became the very visible face of her brand and paved the way for female lifestyle designers like Tory Burch or Jenna Lyons of J. Crew.<doc-sep>Celeb obsessed? Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Iconic handbag designer Kate Spade has died at the age of 55 in a suspected suicide, say police. The fashion designer's body was found hanging in her New York City apartment on Tuesday morning by her housekeeper, says Reuters. Sources said the mother-of-one left a note but the contents are unclear. Kate was mum to daughter Frances Beatrix, 13 and was married to Andy Spade. An NYPD spokesperson said that the popular designer had taken her own life. Her tragic death has shaken the fashion world to the core, as professionally Spade seemed to be going from strength to strength. She was a firm favourite with royals and the Hollywood elite. In a statement, Kate's family said: “We are all devastated by today’s tragedy. We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly. We would ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this very difficult time." Police said her husband was in another room at the time she hanged herself. (Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: Getty Images Europe) (Image: WireImage) (Image: WireImage) (Image: Patrick McMullan) Spade found fame in the 1980s when she began working for women's magazine, Mademoiselle, in Manhattan. At that time, she moved in with Andy Spade, the brother of actor David Spade, who she met in college while working at a clothing store. Kate worked with Andy to launch Kate Spade Handbags in 1993, and her company went on to grow into a full-scale clothing and jewellery line. Kate and Andy got married the following year. She later sold her company in 2007, taking time off to raise her daughter. Kate made a comeback in 2016 by launching a new fashion brand, called Frances Valentine. Named after her daughter. Just last year, Kate spoke about her business. (Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: Getty Images Europe) (Image: Kate Spade) (Image: Patrick McMullan) She told Moneyish: "I can’t say I’ve changed my entire design philosophy. "Anna Wintour gave me great advice - since you have an identity, believe in your guts and stick to your guns." The classic black bag she became famous for almost looked very different back in the day. (Image: Kate Spade New York) (Image: 20th Century Fox) (Image: FilmMagic) (Image: Archive Photos) (Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: Getty Images North America) (Image: Patrick McMullan) Speaking to Forbes, the night before her first trade show, she said she couldn’t decide whether to put those iconic black labels "Kate Spade New York" labels on the inside of the bags or the outside, and spent hours moving them back and forth. They eventually landed on the outside of the bag, of course, and instantly became an iconic look. Kate Valentine's rise to the top By Amber Graafland, fashion director Kate Noel Brosnahan was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on Christmas Eve 1962. Her career in fashion started when she worked for women’s magazine Mademoiselle in the 1980s. She met her husband Andy in college while working at a clothing store. (Image: WireImage) Together they launched Kate Spade handbags in 1993, opening their first boutique, a 400-square-foot shop located in Manhattan's trendy SoHo district. The couple expanded the business into a highly successful retail empire selling clothing, jewellery, stationery, eyewear, baby items, fragrances, tabletop, bedding and gifts. The brand became synonymous with Kate’s unique brand of glossy, lady like chic but it was the fun, quirky side that made it so well loved. The Kate Spade look epitomised the wardrobe of the glamorous Manhattan women. And women all over the world couldn't get enough of it. The Duchess of Cambridge wore a pretty pink Kate Spade floral pussy bow midi dress on an official Mental Health Day engagement in 2016. And it was not a one off, picking an A-line dress with pleats for a museum and gallery visit last November. (Image: Getty) (Image: REX/Shutterstock) The company has over 140 retail shops and outlet stores across the US and more than 175 shops internationally. Their products are sold in more than 450 stores worldwide. The company grew to include retail outlets as well as selling their products through such high-end stores as Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and the UK's Harvey Nichols. 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 once again honored her for "Best Accessory Designer of the Year". Kate sold her stake in the company in 2006 to look after her daughter. Neiman Marcus already owned 56% of the brand, purchased in 1999, but in 2006 she sold them the remaining 44%. In 2016 Kate went on to launch a new fashion line called Florence Valentine after her daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, born in February 2005. The new line was a collection of luxury footwear and handbags. She continued to garner respect within the industry and in 2017 she was welcomed into the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. In 2017 she was also named one of the Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company Coach bought the Kate Spade company last year for $2.4 billion. Favoured by royals and Hollywood alike - the glittering career of a design legend who touched the hearts of the stars (Image: Splash News) (Image: Getty Images North America) (Image: FilmMagic) (Image: www.splashnews.com) Kate had a lot of celebrity fans, including Kate Middleton. Actress Anna Faris was also a big admirer of Kate. She once told Elle: "You know, the very first bag I was ever gifted was this beautiful blue Kate Spade bag. "It's weird to get gifted things as an actress, because it usually happens when you've made a movie and you can finally afford something, and then these fashion labels give it to you for free. "I felt like I had to really take care of this bag, because it was so beautiful and it was a gift. "I have a lot of sentiment about Kate Spade because of that… and also, the vibe of Kate Spade is a little quirky, like I am. Do you think they'll be mad I said that?" (Image: Splash News) (Image: Getty) Designer Kenneth Cole paid tribute after news of Kate's death, quoting her. He wrote on Twitter: "'I believed that I could, so I did'. She alone didn’t change the handbag world but she was an inspiring accessory." Former President Bill Clinton's daughter Chelsea also spoke fondly of Kate. She said: "My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college. I still have it. Holding Kate’s family, friends and loved ones in my heart." * Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org<doc-sep>
Kate Spade's family has responded to the designer's death from an apparent suicide. “We are all devastated by today’s tragedy,” her family said in a statement to The Daily News yesterday. “We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly. We would ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this very difficult time.” The designer, who was 55 years old, is survived by her husband Andy Spade, who co-founded her eponymous handbag brand, and their 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade. Kate, Frances, and Andy Spade in 2007 Getty Images Actor David Spade, Kate's brother-in-law, responded to the tragic news on social media. On Instagram, he posted a photo and message dedicated to the late designer. "Fuzzy picture but I love it," he wrote. "Kate and I during Christmas family photos. We had so much fun that day. She was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard. I still can't believe it. It's a rough world out there people, try to hang on." He also posted a photo with his sister-in-law at his book signing on Twitter. "I love this pic of her. So pretty. I don't think everyone knew how f*cking funny she was," part of his caption read. Katy at my book signing. I love this pic of her. So pretty. I dont think everyone knew how fucking funny she was... Its a rough world out there people. Try to hang on pic.twitter.com/2kRPvGvj8w — David Spade (@DavidSpade) June 6, 2018 The designer's sister Eve Brosnahan gave a brief, tearful statement to The Daily News. “It’s very difficult,” she told the newspaper. “I can’t right now. I just can’t.” Spade's niece, actress Rachel Brosnahan (House of Cards, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), remembered one of her aunt's happier moments. She posted a video of Kate dancing and smiling with her husband on Instagram this morning. "Knowing Katy, this is how she would want to be remembered," Brosnahan captioned the clip. "She had a light that words can’t capture but touched everyone she came into contact with. She was exceedingly kind, beautifully sensitive, insanely talented, funny as heck and one of the most generous people I have ever known. She was effervescent. Hug your loved ones extra tight today." Kate Spade was found dead by a housekeeper in her New York City apartment at around 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, June 5. A note was found, but police would not confirm or discuss its content, according to People. Spade's death is still under investigation. If you or someone you know is exhibiting warning signs of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).