Katherine Noel Brosnahan Spade aka Kate Spade was an influential American fashion designer and business woman. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, began her journey within the fashion world working sales at a men’s clothing shop in Phoenix during college.

 

After college Spade moved to New York City to work in the accessories department at Mademoiselle and rose to the tank of senior fashion editor and head of accessories before departing in 1991.

 

Spade went on to found Kate Spade New York alongside her busines partner Andy Spade in January 1993. The brand was initially founded on the creation of  affordable handbags. Eventually, the brand grew, branching out to sell other items like clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationery, eyewear, fragrances, and other items.

 

During this time Spade’s brand won two CFDA Awards, the Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent in 1995 and the Accessory Designer of the Year Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent in 1997. 

 

Spade began to focus on bigger ventures, selling 56% of her stake in the business to Neiman Marcus Group for global expansion. By 2006, Spade sold the remaining portion of her stock in the company to  focus on raising her daughter.

 

After a seven year break, Spade came back to launch Frances Valentine, a brand focusing on luxury footwear and handbags.

 

Spade’s work garnered her wide acclaim within the industry. Before her death she was inducted into the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri, Kansas City and named Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company in 2017.