The Kate Spade brand is the brainchild of Kate Brosnahan Spade. A journalism major from Arizona State University, she began her stint in fashion with her first job at Mademoiselle magazine where she handled their accessories department. Eventually, she went on to become their Chief Fashion Editor. It was during her time with the magazine that Kate realized the market gap for stylish yet functional handbags, so she left her job at Mademoiselle in 1991 and kickstarted her entrepreneurial journey.
Starting From Ground Up
She partnered with her husband Andy Spade and started researching about various fabrics, styles, production costs, and flea market formats. Kate initially used construction paper and put together a prototype of her dream design (her first sample was a square bag mocked up in burlap!) She experimented with bright colors and utilitarian shapes to create sketches. Kate wasn’t interested in emulating formal classics like Chanel, or wished to stick to muted palettes like Coach; she wanted to create something fun, less serious, and more personal. In her attempt to manifest this idea, in 1993 along with Pamela Bell and Elyce Arona, Kate created the brand Kate Spade New York.
my favorite shop associate (we call them our muses!) texted me this. if you’re near one of our specialty shops, swing by today! mint tea, snacks, and a chance to win the isobel bag i’ve been obsessing over lately…? #katespadejoy
The brand’s first collection consisted of six simple styles: “In the early ’90s, everything was frills and bells and whistles,” Spade told Serendipity.com. “I was like, ‘No, I just want this really chic, square black bag. That’s all I want.” That very concept of a basic black handbag by Kate Spade is now one of the brand’s most popular styles.
The Journey
The collection of nylon bags went on to include totes, messenger bags, clutches, and mini backpacks. Spade told the Boston Globe in 1999 that her motto with the bags was to create something that could “assume the personality of the wearer, not the reverse.”
The popularity of the bag caught on fast and the brand skyrocketed to multi-million dollar success. In 1999, Spade sold the brand to the Neiman Marcus Group and in 2007, Spade turned over the reigns of the company to Liz Claiborne Inc before formally stepping down from the namesake brand. Even though Kate Spade is no longer associated with her eponymous label, her vision for the brand rings true to this date, because, why would you change something that has proven to work?
Live Colorfully
Kate Spade products have an air of whimsy and make one feel like it’s endless summer all through the year. Their motto is to “Live colorfully“, and even with volatile ownership changes and Kate’s exit as company head, the brand has managed to remain remarkably on point by keeping the DNA intact.
got plans today? swing by your local kate spade new york shop between 11am—4pm for sips, snacks and the chance to win our bag of the season, the small isobel. (this bag ??is pretty cute, too.) #katespadejoy
It is difficult for a brand to project itself as witty, fun, interesting, playful, and still be a commercial success, not just on the high street, but even among celebrities and the front row attendees of Fashion Weeks. Fortune put it best, noting that anything with a Kate Spade label “signifies sophistication, freshness, and impeccable good taste, all rolled into one.”
The brand always manages to create a gripping narrative around each of their collections, the core of it all being catering to “interesting women leading interesting lives” An innate sense of adventure is woven into all of the brand’s products, as well as its marketing efforts; you can see that clearly from not just from their runway shows but also their social media pages and website. The bubbly Kate Spade persona can be seen in every aspect of the brand, from their packaging, store visuals, and even emails!
At Present
The label now features clothing, accessories, and shoes, along with the product that started it all—handbags. The brand is available in over 175 flagship stores internationally, and over 450 stores worldwide. The Kate Spade girl does not shy away from standing out; she is a groovy tune on a gloomy day, she is the bright rainbow we hope for on a rainy day. Competing directly with Michael Kors and Coach, Kate Spade New York has managed to cement a top spot in the handbags market by consistently catering to their muse, the Spade girls.
Here are some of our all-time favorite picks from Kate Spade New York:
Buy: Rainn Tote Bag here;
Queen Bee Bella Clutch here;
ISADORA Heel here;
Ice Cream Phone Case here
Shop For More Here
Images via Instagram/Kate Spade New York; Semain online
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