Kate Spade Designer of bags and accessories Date of Birth: 24.12.1962 Country: USA

1. Biography of Kate Spade
2. Early Career
3. Starting her Own Business
4. Expanding her Design Interests
5. Recognition and Style

Biography of Kate Spade

Kate Spade, born Katherine Noel Brosnahan, is an acclaimed designer of handbags and accessories. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and completed her education at St. Teresa's Academy and All-girl Catholic High School in her hometown. Afterward, she specialized in journalism at Arizona State University.

Early Career

In 1986, Spade began working in the accessories department of the fashion magazine "Mademoiselle" in Manhattan. She worked her way up to become the editor of the department before leaving the job in 1991. While at "Mademoiselle," Spade noticed a clear lack of interesting, elegant, and stylish handbags in the market. This observation prompted her to fill this gap and she immediately started exploring different styles, fabrics, and production costs. She created an exclusive line of handbags with classic shapes, colors, and fabrics.

Starting her Own Business

Taking a considerable risk, Spade started her own company in 1993, operating out of her apartment with her husband, Andy Spade, as her partner and support. At the time, she did not even have a proper business plan. Her first collection consisted of six types of handbags that she believed every working woman needed. Interestingly, these initial bags remain some of her favorite models to this day.

Expanding her Design Interests

Although handbags remained her main passion, Kate Spade's "fashion interests" soon expanded to include other accessories, such as hand-embroidered slippers and exquisite dress embellishments. She also became known for her home accessories. In addition to her fashion endeavors, Spade designed uniforms for the employees of "Song," a division of Delta Air Lines. The uniforms included accessories such as bags, aprons, and sunglasses.

Recognition and Style

Kate Spade has won prestigious awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America twice and was named the "giant of design" by the esteemed magazine "House Beautiful" in 2003. She associates herself with the image of a 1950s housewife and enjoys combining classic styles with modern and daring elements. For example, she creates tweed handbags with luxurious diamond buckles. According to Spade, such accessories make individuals feel liberated, creative, and ready to take risks. She assures journalists that she will close her business as soon as it no longer brings her joy or becomes tiresome. At that point, she plans to spend her time playing with her dog, which she claims never gets boring.