Fans and celebrities mourn the death of iconic fashion designer Kate Spade

'An iconic talent.'
 By 
Nicole Gallucci
 on 
Fans and celebrities mourn the death of iconic fashion designer Kate Spade
Designer Kate Spade discusing her project Frances Valentine. Credit: Andrew Toth/FilmMagic via getty images

Kate Spade, 55-year-old fashion designer and entrepreneur, reportedly died by suicide on Tuesday.

According to the Associated Press, Spade's housekeeping staff found her dead in her New York apartment along with a note.

After news of the iconic designer's death broke, fans shared an outpouring of love on social media, explaining what Spade's designs meant to them and highlighting the importance of talking openly about metal health issues.


You May Also Like

Celebrities and fellow designers like Chelsea Clinton, Ivanka Trump, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon, and Liz Lange, also celebrated the brilliant designer.

A majority of the Kate Spade company, which began when Kate launched a line of handbags in 1993 with husband Andy Spade, was sold to the Neiman Marcus Group in 1999. Spade sold her remaining portion of the company in 2006, and Kate Spade was recently purchased by Coach in 2017 for a reported $2.4 billion.

After leaving Kate Spade in 2007, the designer and her husband launched Frances Valentine — a line of shoes, handbags and accessories named after their 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade.

If you want to talk to someone or are experiencing suicidal thoughts, text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Here is a list of international resources.

Topics Celebrities

Mashable Image
Nicole Gallucci

Nicole is a Senior Editor at Mashable. She primarily covers entertainment and digital culture trends, and in her free time she can be found watching TV, sending voice notes, or going viral on Twitter for admiring knitwear. You can follow her on Twitter @nicolemichele5.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You

The internet mourns Catherine O'Hara, beloved 'Schitt's Creek' star
Catherine O'Hara at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024.



Nikki Glaser's Golden Globes monologue brutally roasts both celebrities and the government
Nikki Glaser speaks onstage during the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards. Overlaid quote: "The Golden Globes: without a doubt, the most important thing that's happening in the world right now."

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 4, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 4, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!