Kate Spade (1962

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Biography

Katherine Noel Valentine Brosnahan Spade was an American fashion designer and entrepreneur. She was the co-founder and co-owner of the designer brand Kate Spade New York.

Timeline

The story of Kate Spade, told in moments.

1962 Birth

Born Katherine Noel Brosnahan in Kansas City, Missouri. Worked in the accessories department at Mademoiselle magazine after college. Noticed that handbags were either too fancy or too cheap.

Was noticing the gap between fancy and cheap bags a designer's instinct? Did working at Mademoiselle teach you what was missing? Was Kansas City the right place to grow that eye?

1993 Event

Launched Kate Spade New York with six handbag designs. Clean shapes, bright colors, nylon fabric. She sewed prototypes on her apartment floor. Barneys ordered the first batch.

What was it like sewing prototypes on your apartment floor? Did Barneys ordering the first batch feel like validation? Were six handbag designs enough to start a revolution?

1999 Life

Won the CFDA award for Best Accessory Designer. The brand had expanded into clothing, shoes, stationery, and fragrance. She and her husband Andy sold their remaining stake to Neiman Marcus for $59 million in 2006.

Did the CFDA award confirm what you already knew? Was selling your stake for $59 million bittersweet? How do you build a brand from a name and a shape?

2018 Death

Died by suicide in her Manhattan apartment. Age 55. She'd been battling depression and anxiety for years. The news prompted a national conversation about mental health and the gap between public image and private suffering.

Was the gap between public image and private suffering always there? What would you want people to understand about depression? Does your name on millions of bags carry what you intended?

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