Kate Spade
Encyclopedia
Kate Brosnahan Spade is the co-founder
and namesake
of the designer brand, Kate Spade New York (officially rendered in lowercase as kate spade new york).
, an all-girl Catholic high school. She attended the University of Kansas
and then transferred to and graduated from Arizona State University
, where she majored in journalism, worked in a motorcycle
bar
, and is a member of the Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma
sorority.
In 1986, Spade worked in the accessories department of Mademoiselle
in Manhattan
, where she was credited in the magazine's masthead
with her maiden name as Katy Brosnahan. While at Mademoiselle, she met and moved in with Andy Spade (brother of actor and comic David Spade
), a native of Scottsdale, Arizona
; the two were working side-by-side as salespersons in a men's clothing store, Carter's Men Shop in Phoenix, Arizona
. Together, they were featured in the magazine as part of a photo story on couples and love.
She left Mademoiselle in 1991, with the title of senior fashion editor/head of accessories. While working for Mademoiselle she noticed that the market lacked stylish and sensible handbags, and decided to create her own. With this in mind, Spade browsed local flea markets, began researching different styles, fabrics, production costs, and created a line of handbags with classic shapes, colors, and fabrics.
Jack Spade, a fictional name, is the men's complement to the Kate Spade brand. Its founder and principal designer was Andy Spade. In recent years, Kate Spade has been featuring designs and special editions by guest designers and is no longer the sole artistic vision of the husband and wife team.
In 1996, Kate Spade opened its first shop in New York City's SoHo
The brand currently has many Kate Spade boutiques around the world: 46 in the United States
, 32 in Japan
, 6 in Hong Kong
, 4 in the Philippines
, 2 in Jakarta
and 1 in London
. In 2004, Women's Wear Daily
reported that Kate Spade had sales of $125 million. It was predicted that in fiscal 2005, sales could reach and surpass $200 million. The Neiman Marcus
Group bought a majority stake in Kate Spade in 1999. It bought out the Spades in 2006 in order to sell to Liz Claiborne for $124 million in 2007.
awarded Kate "America's New Fashion Talent in Accessories" for her classic designs. In 1998, CFDA once again honored her for "Best Accessory Designer of the Year". Kate Spade's home collection won her three design awards in 2004, including, House Beautiful
's "Giants of Design Award for Tastemaker", Bon Appetit
's "American Food and Entertaining Award for Designer of the Year", and Elle Decor
's "Elle Decor International Design Award for Bedding".
in New York City's Chinatown
, the New York Times famously criticized the very simple construction and boxy shape of the original Kate Spade bags as easy targets for counterfeiters.
) as the favored purse of the former fashion model character Nina Van Horn, played by Wendie Malick
.
Kate Spade has a brief appearance in the beginning of the Just Shoot Me episode Blush Gets Some Therapy as a fashion designer who is driven off by the antics of the main characters.
Kate Spade was also recently featured in the 2011 Singapore General Election where a candidate from the incumbent People's Action Party
, Tin Pei Ling
, was photographed carrying a Kate Spade bag in her pre-campaign photos. This pose was later mocked by local celebrity Tay Ping Hui
in the local pop culture magazine 8 Days
.
In the Stephen Hunter
novel The 47th Samurai
, CIA
officer Susan Okada carries a Kate Spade bag.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and namesake
Namesake
Namesake is a term used to characterize a person, place, thing, quality, action, state, or idea that has the same, or a similar, name to another....
of the designer brand, Kate Spade New York (officially rendered in lowercase as kate spade new york).
Early life and beginnings
Spade was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from St. Teresa's AcademySt. Teresa's Academy (Kansas City, Missouri)
St. Teresa's Academy is a Catholic, independent college preparatory secondary school for young women in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. It was founded in 1866 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and accredited in 1923.-History:...
, an all-girl Catholic high school. She attended the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
and then transferred to and graduated from Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
, where she majored in journalism, worked in a motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
, and is a member of the Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Kappa Gamma is a collegiate women's fraternity, founded at Monmouth College, in Monmouth, Illinois, USA. Although the groundwork of the organization was developed as early as 1869, the 1876 Convention voted that October 13, 1870 should be recognized at the official Founders Day, because no...
sorority.
In 1986, Spade worked in the accessories department of Mademoiselle
Mademoiselle (magazine)
Mademoiselle was an influential women's magazine first published in 1935 by Street and Smith and later acquired by Condé Nast Publications....
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, where she was credited in the magazine's masthead
Masthead (publishing)
The masthead is a list, published in a newspaper or magazine, of its staff. In some publications it names only the most senior individuals; in others, it may name many or all...
with her maiden name as Katy Brosnahan. While at Mademoiselle, she met and moved in with Andy Spade (brother of actor and comic David Spade
David Spade
David Wayne Spade is an American actor, comedian and television personality who first became famous in the 1990s as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, and from 1997 until 2003 when he starred as Dennis Finch on Just Shoot Me!. He also starred as C.J...
), a native of Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
; the two were working side-by-side as salespersons in a men's clothing store, Carter's Men Shop in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. Together, they were featured in the magazine as part of a photo story on couples and love.
She left Mademoiselle in 1991, with the title of senior fashion editor/head of accessories. While working for Mademoiselle she noticed that the market lacked stylish and sensible handbags, and decided to create her own. With this in mind, Spade browsed local flea markets, began researching different styles, fabrics, production costs, and created a line of handbags with classic shapes, colors, and fabrics.
Career
Kate Spade and Joel Franklin launched their New York-based design company "kate spade handbags" in January 1993. As the name implies, they initially started out selling mainly handbags, but eventually extended to include stationery, personal organizers, address books, shoes, beauty products, perfume, raincoats, pajamas, and eyewear. In 2004, "kate spade at home" was launched as a home collection brand. It features bedding, bath items, china, and various items for the home and wallpaper.In 1996, Kate Spade opened its first shop in New York City's SoHo
SoHo
SoHo is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City, notable for being the location of many artists' lofts and art galleries, and also, more recently, for the wide variety of stores and shops ranging from trendy boutiques to outlets of upscale national and international chain stores...
The brand currently has many Kate Spade boutiques around the world: 46 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 32 in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 6 in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, 4 in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, 2 in Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
and 1 in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. In 2004, Women's Wear Daily
Women's Wear Daily
Women's Wear Daily is a fashion-industry trade journal sometimes called "the bible of fashion." WWD delivers information and intelligence on changing trends and breaking news in the fashion, beauty and retail industries with a readership composed largely of retailers, designers, manufacturers,...
reported that Kate Spade had sales of $125 million. It was predicted that in fiscal 2005, sales could reach and surpass $200 million. The Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus, formerly Neiman-Marcus, is a luxury specialty retail department store operated by the Neiman Marcus Group in the United States. The company is headquartered in the One Marcus Square building in Downtown Dallas, Texas, and competes with other department stores such as Saks Fifth...
Group bought a majority stake in Kate Spade in 1999. It bought out the Spades in 2006 in order to sell to Liz Claiborne for $124 million in 2007.
Awards
Kate Spade has won numerous awards throughout her career. In 1996 the Council of Fashion Designers of AmericaCouncil of Fashion Designers of America
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. is a not-for-profit trade association of over 350 of America’s foremost fashion and accessory designers. As of 2009, Diane von Fürstenberg is the group's President and Steven Kolb is the Executive Director...
awarded Kate "America's New Fashion Talent in Accessories" for her classic designs. In 1998, CFDA once again honored her for "Best Accessory Designer of the Year". Kate Spade's home collection won her three design awards in 2004, including, House Beautiful
House Beautiful
House Beautiful is an interior decorating magazine that focuses on decorating and the domestic arts. First published in 1896, it is currently published by the Hearst Corporation, who purchased it in 1934...
's "Giants of Design Award for Tastemaker", Bon Appetit
Bon Appétit
Bon Appétit describes itself as "a food and entertaining magazine" and is published monthly. Named after the French phrase for "Enjoy your meal", it was started by M. Frank Jones in Kansas City in 1956...
's "American Food and Entertaining Award for Designer of the Year", and Elle Decor
Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.
Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc. , orgin ally known as CBS Publications, was a subsidiary of Hachette Filipacchi Médias , and was based in New York City.-History:...
's "Elle Decor International Design Award for Bedding".
Criticism
Kate Spade handbags have become very fashionable and are highly-desired items. In an article on fake handbag sales on Canal StreetCanal Street (Manhattan)
Canal Street is a major street in New York City, crossing lower Manhattan to join New Jersey in the west to Brooklyn in the east . It forms the main spine of Chinatown, and separates it from Little Italy...
in New York City's Chinatown
Chinatown, Manhattan
Manhattan's Chinatown , home to one of the highest concentrations of Chinese people in the Western hemisphere, is located in the borough of Manhattan in New York City...
, the New York Times famously criticized the very simple construction and boxy shape of the original Kate Spade bags as easy targets for counterfeiters.
Popular culture
Kate Spade handbags have been featured frequently in the sitcom Just Shoot Me (whose cast included Ms. Spade's brother-in-law, David SpadeDavid Spade
David Wayne Spade is an American actor, comedian and television personality who first became famous in the 1990s as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, and from 1997 until 2003 when he starred as Dennis Finch on Just Shoot Me!. He also starred as C.J...
) as the favored purse of the former fashion model character Nina Van Horn, played by Wendie Malick
Wendie Malick
Wendie Malick is an American actress and former fashion model, known for her roles as Judith Tupper Stone on the HBO series Dream On , Nina Van Horn on the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me! , Ronee Lawrence on the NBC sitcom Frasier and Victoria Chase on the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland .-Early...
.
Kate Spade has a brief appearance in the beginning of the Just Shoot Me episode Blush Gets Some Therapy as a fashion designer who is driven off by the antics of the main characters.
Kate Spade was also recently featured in the 2011 Singapore General Election where a candidate from the incumbent People's Action Party
People's Action Party
The People's Action Party is the leading political party in Singapore. It has been the city-state's ruling political party since 1959....
, Tin Pei Ling
Tin Pei Ling
Tin Pei Ling is a Chinese Singaporean who is one of five Singapore People's Action Party Members of Parliament for the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency. She is in charge of the MacPherson ward....
, was photographed carrying a Kate Spade bag in her pre-campaign photos. This pose was later mocked by local celebrity Tay Ping Hui
Tay Ping Hui
Tay Ping Hui is a Singaporean Chinese MediaCorp television and film actor. Tay is best known for acting in many Chinese language TV drama series on Channel 8 and has made appearances in the films Summer Holidays and Infernal Affairs II .-Early life:Tay Ping Hui attended Catholic High School and...
in the local pop culture magazine 8 Days
8 Days (magazine)
8 Days is a weekly Singaporean magazine published by MediaCorp's publishing arm MediaCorp Publishing, aimed mainly at the teenage and young people market. The magazine is predominantly about the latest celebrity gossip and television news as well as television synopsis for every episode, with small...
.
In the Stephen Hunter
Stephen Hunter
Stephen Hunter is an American novelist, essayist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic.-Life and career:Stephen Hunter was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up in Evanston, Illinois. His father was Charles Francis Hunter, a Northwestern University speech professor who was killed in 1975....
novel The 47th Samurai
The 47th Samurai
The 47th Samurai is a 2007 thriller novel, and the fourth in the Bob Lee Swagger series by Stephen Hunter. In narrative sequence it is preceded by Point of Impact, Black Light, and Time to Hunt.-Plot:...
, CIA
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
officer Susan Okada carries a Kate Spade bag.
Personal life
She married Andy Spade in 1994. The couple's only child, a daughter named Frances Beatrix Spade, was born in 2005.External links
- A Business Card for Your Wild Side - Wall Street Journal
- Spades Stepping Aside July 26, 2007
- Bio and photo of Kate Spade — Crain's New York Business 40 under 40 — 1992
- Kate Spade Official Website
- Jack Spade Official Website
- Real or Fake? kate spade labels
- Kate Spade's biography
- Good Bone Structure (article)
- Kate Spade Handbags And Fragrance (article)