Kate Spade
Co-founder of Kate Spade New York, American fashion designer.
Katherine Noel Valentine Brosnahan Spade (December 24, 1962 – June 5, 2018) was an American fashion designer and entrepreneur who co-founded the label Kate Spade New York.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, to a road-construction company owner and his wife, Spade was mostly of Irish descent. She attended an all-female Catholic high school, then the University of Kansas, before transferring to Arizona State University. There she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and earned a journalism degree in 1985, aiming for a career in television production. While in college, she worked at a men's clothing store in Phoenix, where a co-worker was Andy Spade, who later became her husband and business partner.
By 1986, the couple had moved to Manhattan. Spade worked in the accessories department at *Mademoiselle* magazine, rising to senior fashion editor and head of accessories before leaving in 1991. Noticing a gap in the market for stylish, affordable, and practical handbags, she decided to create her own.
In January 1993, Spade co-founded Kate Spade New York with Andy, Elyce Arons, and Pamela Bell. She was unsure about the brand name, as she and Andy were not yet married and "Kate Brosnahan" seemed unwieldy. Andy suggested "Kate Spade," since she would take that name after their wedding. Spade made six prototypes using Scotch tape and paper, and found a manufacturer in East New York willing to work with a startup. Andy financed the company by withdrawing his 401(k) and sometimes paid employees with personal checks; the couple spent shipping season living at friends' apartments because their own was filled with boxed handbags. After an early trade show where Barneys ordered a few bags, Spade decided to put the labels on the outside—a change that took her all night but established the brand. Priced between $150 and $450, the bags became popular, especially in New York. A fashion industry director noted this was a real shift, with many women buying multiple bags. Young American women appreciated the sophisticated look, which felt mature without being too adult. At the turn of the century, the bag came to symbolize a particular Manhattan moment, with *Vogue*’s editor-in-chief recalling that it was impossible to walk a block without seeing one.
The company initially sold only handbags but soon expanded into clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationery, eyewear, baby items, fragra
- born
- December 24, 1962, Kansas City, Missouri
- died
- June 5, 2018, Manhattan, New York
- field
- Fashion design, entrepreneurship
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Co-founder of Kate Spade New York
Lore & Background
Kate Spade was born Katherine Noel Brosnahan in Kansas City, Missouri, to June and Francis Brosnahan, who owned a road-construction company. She was of mostly Irish descent. After attending St. Teresa's Academy, she studied at the University of Kansas and later Arizona State University, where she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and earned a journalism degree in 1985. While in college, she worked at Carter's Men Shop in Phoenix, where she met Andy Spade, who became her husband and business partner.
Moving to Manhattan in 1986, Spade worked at Mademoiselle magazine, rising to senior fashion editor and head of accessories. Noticing a lack of stylish, affordable, and sensible handbags, she left Mademoiselle in 1991 to create her own. In January 1993, she co-founded Kate Spade New York with Andy Spade, Elyce Arons, and Pamela Bell. She made six prototypes with Scotch tape and paper, found a manufacturer in East New York, and financed the company with Andy's 401(k). After an early show at the Javits Center, Barneys ordered bags, and Spade spent a night moving labels to the outside, establishing the brand.
The brand expanded from handbags to clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationery, eyewear, baby items, fragrances, and gifts. In 1996, the first boutique opened in Manhattan's SoHo district. Spade sold a 56% stake to Neiman Marcus Group in 1999, and the remaining 44% by 2006. The label was later sold to Liz Claiborne Inc. for $124 million, and eventually became part of Tapestry, Inc. In 2016, Spade launched a new footwear and handbag line, Frances Valentine, with Elyce Arons.
Reader's Guide
Kate Spade's significance lies in her role as a co-founder of Kate Spade New York, a brand that filled a market gap for stylish, affordable, and sensible handbags. Her designs, priced between $150 and $450, became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s, particularly in New York, where they were seen as a 'real shift' in fashion. The brand's appeal to young American women, offering a sophisticated yet accessible look, helped it expand into a global lifestyle label with multiple product categories. Spade's entrepreneurial journey—from making prototypes with Scotch tape to building a brand later acquired for $124 million—illustrates her impact on the fashion industry. After selling her stake, she took time off to focus on her daughter and later launched Frances Valentine. Her death by suicide in 2018 prompted public discussion about mental health, with her family and friends offering differing accounts of her struggles. The brand's continued presence under Tapestry, Inc. and the posthumous release of her designs under 'Love Katy' underscore her lasting legacy.
Did You Know?
- Kate Spade legally added 'Valentine' to her full name after launching the Frances Valentine brand.
- She appeared as herself in an episode of the TV show Just Shoot Me! in 2002.
- Her niece is actress Rachel Brosnahan.
- She published three books on etiquette, entertainment, and fashion: Manners, Occasions, and Style.
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