DESIGNER DEATH
How did Kate Spade die, when was her father’s death, how old was the designer and who are her daughter and husband?
HUNDREDS of friends and family have paid tribute to fashion designer Kate Spade at a packed funeral.
But what was the cause of her death, how old was the designer and who were her husband and daughter? Here's what you need to know.
3
What was Kate Spade's cause of death?
The fashion designer was found dead in her New York apartment by her housekeeper on June 5, 2018.
New York police are investigating her death as an apparent suicide.
NYPD Chief Detective Dermot Shea confirmed a suicide note was found at the scene.
He added: "I'm not going to get into the contents of that note. But that appears to be the sum total of what it is at this point.
"We still have detectives on the scene. It's still a fairly fresh incident."
According , the designer told her 13-year-old daughter Frances Beatrix "not to blame herself" in the note.
The New York Police Department confirmed the designer's death under her birth name, Katherine Noel Brosnahan.
It later emerged Spade had been battling anxiety and depression for nearly a decade, and regularly saw a doctor to manage the condition.
At her funeral on June 21 hundreds turned out to pay tribute, many dressed in bright outfits to pay tribute to her love of colour.
When was her father's death?
Kate Spade's father, Earl F. Brosnahan Jr., passed away late on Wednesday, June 20.
His death at the age of 89 came just a day before his daughter's funeral.
A family statement read out at the service said: "He had been in failing health of late and was heartbroken over the recent death of his beloved daughter.
"He was at home and surrounded by family at the time of his passing."
How old was the designer and what was her brand?
Kate Spade, born Katherine Brosnahan, was just 55 years old when she died.
She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and studied at the University of Kansas and Arizona State University.
Spade graduated with a degree in journalism in 1985, and worked in the accessories department of the magazine Mademoiselle in Manhattan.
Discovering a gap in the market for stylish and sensible handbags, she went on to found the design brand named after her, Kate Spade Handbags, in 1994.
3
It became one of the biggest names in female accessories, worn by stars including the Duchess of Cambridge, Anne Hathaway and Anna Kendrick, and has hundreds of outlets around the world.
Spade also designed clothes, shoes, and jewellery, but was best known for her accessory line, known for their bright and colourful patterns.
She also launched home collection brand Kate Spade at home in 2004, and wrote three books about her personal styles and philosophies.
In 2007, Spade sold her namesake company - whose logo was the spades playing card symbol - to spend more time with her daughter.
The firm was bought by rival New York designer Coach last year in a deal worth $2.4bn (£1.8bn).
In 2016, she and her partners launched a new fashion brand called Frances Valentine, specialising in luxury footwear and accessories.
The names Frances and Valentine were from her family members, and she added the two names to her own legal name.
3
MOST READ NEWS
Who were her husband and children?
She married Andy Spade, brother of actor and comedian David Spade, in 1994.
They met while working in a clothing store at university and together, they launched Kate Spade Handbags in 1993.
The couple had one child, Frances Beatrix Spade, born in February 2005.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.
Topics