Mourning Kate Spade : One of the Most Influential Fashion Icons
"The designer Kate Spade, who created an accessories empire and whose handbags became a status symbol and a token of sophisticated adulthood for American women, was found dead on today.
Ms. Spade built a brand on the appeal of clothes and accessories that made women smile, her cheerful lack of restraint and bright prints striking a chord with consumers.
She was the embodiment of her own aesthetic, with her proto-1960s bouffant, nerd glasses and kooky grin, which masked a business mind that saw the opportunities in becoming a lifestyle brand, almost before the term officially existed.
The police said Tuesday that Ms. Spade, 55, was discovered unresponsive at a Park Avenue apartment, where she had hanged herself in her bedroom. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:26 a.m. She left a note, but a police official did not comment on what it said."
-- excerpt from the New York Times by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Vanessa Friedman and Matthew Schneier
Heartbroken by this news, we felt inclined to write today's blog as a tribute to the inspiration Kate has provided us throughout the years. As a designer and business owner, I have always needed a sensible bag that dueled as a laptop carrier and Kate Spade's designs always came to the rescue.
I have followed her career from the beginning and have always loved everything she stood for. If you haven't heard about her story from the beginning... the podcast interview with Guy Raz's How I Built This is incredible to just listen to her tumultuous, but triumphant story. She was a pioneer within the fashion industry with beautiful joy-filled products and a classic timeless aesthetic.
Rest in Peace beautiful Kate Spade. You will be missed beyond measure.