Iconic handbag designer Kate Spade has passed away at 55. She was found dead at her New York City apartment this morning from an apparent suicide, according to law enforcement. She is survived by her daughter Frances and husband Andy Spade.
The designer and businesswoman created her namesake handbag label in 1993 with her husband and ultimately sold it in July 2017 to Tapestry Inc. (formerly Coach Inc.) for $2.4 billion, People reports.
Spade’s eponymous company responded to her death this afternoon. "Kate Spade, the visionary found of our brand, has passed. Our thoughts are with her family at this incredible heartbreaking time,” the label announced on Twitter. “We honour all the beauty she brought into this world.”
As both the fashion world and everyday fans mourn Spade’s loss, we look back at some of her best moments through the years.
If you or someone you know is exhibiting warning signs of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).
Inside her New York flagship store on May 28, 1996.
Posing with her own handbags on March 13, 1998 in New York.
At a CFDA event in New York in 1998.
At an event with her own handbags on October 9, 1998 in New York.
Being interviewed in her New York showroom on November 2, 2000.
At the 2001 Met Gala celebrating the opening of the 'Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years' exhibit.
At the 2002 Ace Awards on November 5, 2002 in New York City.
At the Sisters Rosensweig 10th Anniversary Benefit for Breast Cancer Research January 26, 2004 in New York City.
At the The Children's Advocacy Center of Manhattan's 100 Women Against Child Abuse Gala in New York City on November 28, 2006.
At a gala on November 15, 2007 at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City.
At the THREEasFOUR Fall 2008 runway show on February 2, 2008 in New York City.
At the 2007 Met Gala.
At the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund on November 17, 2008 in New York City.
Posing in a black dress, heels, and pendant necklace in 2010.
At the New Museum on May 26, 2010 in New York City.
At the Tribeca Ball at New York Academy of Art on April 4, 2011 in New York City.
At the a performance of Mamma Mia! on Broadway on November 9, 2013 in New York City.
At the Basser Center For BRCA Benefit on November 10, 2015 in New York City.
At Build Studio on April 28, 2017 in New York City.
Erica Gonzales is the Deputy Editor, Culture at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she’s listening to Lorde right now.
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