I have enjoyed writing and researching about fashion history, but I thought I would add another series: brand history. There are so many brands out there, all with a unique background, so I thought we could start exploring them!

To kick off the new topic, I thought what better brand to start with then one of my favorites: Kate Spade New York.

Kate Spade New York was founded in January 1993 by Katherine Noel Brosnahan along with the assistance of her husband Andy Spade. Katherine, better known as Kate Spade, was senior style editor at Mademoiselle Magazine before deciding to design her own line. 

She started with handbags. She came out with a line of “six essential handbags,” most famously including the “Sam” bag. The “Sam” bag is an iconic staple that was popular in the ‘90s and 2000s consisting of a boxy shape. The line quickly gained attention, especially because of the bags’ bold colors and fun patterns. The company quickly became known for its playful aesthetic. In fact, in 2018, they brought the bag back because of the sheer popularity and signature look this bag stands for. 

After establishing herself as a brand, Kate began selling other products. She came out with a shoe collection that also rapidly gained attention. She began to open many stores around the US. 

The company was bought by Neiman Marucs in 1999, then bought by Liz Claiborne, and now is owned by Tapestry. Now the company sells an array of things from perfumes to stationery to clothes, just about anything you could want. 

Unfortunately, Kate Spade herself passed away due to suicide in 2018. However, the icon brand she started and is the figure of, will never die. 

I hoped you learned a little something about the history of Kate Spade!

Till next Sunday,

Daisy