NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Designer Kate Spade was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on Tuesday following an apparent suicide, police said.
Her body was found hanging by her housekeeper at 10:20 a.m. at her home at Park Avenue and 77th Street.
Born Kate Brosnahan, she achieved fame in the fashion world under the name Kate Spade.
Spade, 55, left a note, police said.
“It appears to be a tragic case of apparent suicide,” said NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea. The investigation is ongoing, he said.
Her handbags created a huge sensation in the fashion industry in the 1990s, and her company, Kate Spade New York, had over 140 retails shops across the country and 175 internationally.
“Kate Spade, the visionary founder of our brand, has passed. Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly heartbreaking time. We honor all the beauty she brought into this world,” Kate Spade New York tweeted.
She was born in Kansas City in 1962 and went to Arizona State University where she met Andy Spade, who she eventually married and went into business with, forming the company Kate Spade New York in the early 1990s.
They started the company after she worked at the magazine Mademoiselle. It eventually grew into a global lifestyle brand.
We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Kate Spade. She was a beloved talent that made an enduring mark on American fashion. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family. Kate will be missed by many. pic.twitter.com/1wZeAJBLhE — Hudson's Bay (@hudsonsbay) June 5, 2018
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Kate Spade,” Hudson’s Bay, the parent company of Lord & Taylor and Saks, wrote in tweet. “She was a beloved talent that made an enduring mark on American fashion. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family. Kate will be missed by many.”
WEB EXTRA: Kate Spade speaks with CBS2’s Gail O’Neill in this 1999 interview.
In a 1999 interview, she told CBS2’s Gail O’Neill the company started in her apartment in 1993.
“There was a lack of interesting accessories that had a personality but still very elegant and functional,” she said. “And I loved the idea of using really beautiful fabrics, and I didn’t see a lot of that.”
The company started with just a few orders, and soon enough Hollywood’s elite came calling, and buying her bags.
Just last year, Coach bought the Kate Spade company in a $2.4 billion deal. Spade herself had sold her remaining ownership stake years before.
In 2016, she started a brand called Frances Valentine.
News of her death prompted numerous tweets on Twitter, many urging people struggling with depression to call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Kate Spade’s tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another’s pain or the burden they carry. If you are struggling with depression and contemplating suicide, please, please seek help. https://t.co/eruSexNoGj — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 5, 2018
“Kate Spade’s tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another’s pain or the burden they carry,” Ivanka Trump wrote on Twitter. “If you are struggling with depression and contemplating suicide, please, please seek help.”
My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college. I still have it. Holding Kate’s family, friends and loved ones in my heart. — Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) June 5, 2018
“My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college,” tweeted Chelsea Clinton. “I still have it. Holding Kate’s family, friends and loved ones in my heart.”
I will never forget the first Kate Spade bag I got for Christmas in college. She was a trailblazer. Her life and death are a reminder that pain doesn’t discriminate. Sending love to her family. — Jenna Bush Hager (@JennaBushHager) June 5, 2018
“I will never forget the first Kate Spade bag I got for Christmas in college. She was a trailblazer. Her life and death are a reminder that pain doesn’t discriminate. Sending love to her family,” wrote Jenna Bush Hager.
#KateSpade, whose lively, colorful, and yes, joyous designs has died. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends, and her many fans around the world, who loved the wonderful illusions she created. I am stunned. — Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) June 5, 2018
“Kate Spade, whose lively, colorful, and yes, joyous designs has died,” wrote Bette Midler. “My deepest sympathy to her family and friends, and her many fans around the world, who loved the wonderful illusions she created. I am stunned.”
Kate Spade was more than a designer. She had a quirky visual language that captivated Bat Mitzvah girls and artists alike. She was also a staple of NYC who spread good will. My heart breaks for her family. Thank you, Kate, from one of the millions you made feel beautiful. — 💎 Lena Dunham 💎 (@lenadunham) June 5, 2018
“Kate Spade was more than a designer. She had a quirky visual language that captivated Bat Mitzvah girls and artists alike,” wrote Lena Dunham on Twitter. “She was also a staple of NYC who spread good will. My heart breaks for her family. Thank you, Kate, from one of the millions you made feel beautiful.”
The passing of Kate Spade is a stark reminder that we never know the struggles of a person regardless of their outward persona. If you or anyone you love is struggling, there is help. You don’t have to be alone.
The Natl Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255 #RIPKateSpade — Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) June 5, 2018
“The passing of Kate Spade is a stark reminder that we never know the struggles of a person regardless of their outward persona. If you or anyone you love is struggling, there is help. You don’t have to be alone,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley tweeted.
Depression does not discriminate and comes without warning. RIP Kate Spade. Love to her family. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 — josh groban (@joshgroban) June 5, 2018
“Depression does not discriminate and comes without warning. RIP Kate Spade. Love to her family,” tweeted Josh Groban.
I am heartbroken about the news of Kate Spade. I have worn her clothes many, many times. They were colorful, bold, cheerful, and encouraged women to find the twinkly person inside them. You couldn’t walk into her boutiques and not smile. Rest In Peace, Kate. — Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) June 5, 2018
“I am heartbroken about the news of Kate Spade. I have worn her clothes many, many times. They were colorful, bold, cheerful, and encouraged women to find the twinkly person inside them. You couldn’t walk into her boutiques and not smile. Rest in peace, Kate,” wrote Mindy Kaling.
Editor’s note: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255. You can also learn more and chat with them online by clicking here.
jesuisdesolee on June 5th, 2018 at 17:31 UTC »
“I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.” - Robin Williams
sank8 on June 5th, 2018 at 16:22 UTC »
This is so sad! I listened to her in a podcast , How I Built This recently and she came across as very down to earth and hard working. Condolences to her family.
girlspeaking on June 5th, 2018 at 16:09 UTC »
Agh, this is really sad. Her poor daughter.