Kate Spade handbags have accompanied an entire generation of women through the turn of the millennium – and even three decades after the year it was founded, the label is still an integral part of the wardrobe of many Americans: inside. Varying between classic and playful designs, the bags have not only become a symbol of American fashion, but also an epitome of the joy that fashion can create.
origins
The label was founded in 1993 by Kate Spade and Andy Spade in New York. The label, which initially only made handbags, quickly gained notoriety with a collection of nylon handbags, which became it-pieces among young women in New York in the nineties. At that time, the label was priced between 100 and 400 US dollars – making luxury leather goods more affordable for young women.
development
Kate Spade soon became one of the first lifestyle brands not just to sell products, but to create a sense of community through their bags – propagating that fashion should be a source of joy rather than intimidation. The Kate Spade cosmos has expanded over time to include a ready-to-wear line and a jewelry line. After leading the label to success, Spade sold her stake in Neimann Marcus in 2006 and retired from the company. In 2018, Tapestry Inc. acquired Kate Spade.
Current
Even after the takeover and with new creative directors and designers, the collections are still synonymous with cheerful fashion that appeals to women with quality, positivity and modern zeitgeist. In 2018, Kate Spade – who had been known as Kate Valentine since the sale of the company – passed away, prompting then-Creative Director Nicola Glass to dedicate the SS19 collection to the late designer. The collection featured elements such as colorful prints, the emblematic spade symbol, as well as glitter, which served as a tribute to the designer’s colorful personality, which was well-regarded in the fashion industry and the New York fashion scene.
