Fashion designer Kate Spade dead at 55
Fashion designer Kate Spade has died at age 55, per law enforcement officials.
Kate Spade has died by suicide at 55, according to law enforcement officials who were called to the scene after staff found the designer in her Park Avenue apartment this morning. Spade reportedly left a note.
The AP reports officials are not currently allowed to provide more details, although the AP’s report has some further information, and an investigation is already underway. Law enforcement officials reportedly do not know what the note said.
Spade’s fashion design empire consists of over 140 retail stores across the U.S., and over 175 internationally. Her career launched in the 1990s with the creation of chic handbags, which exploded to jewelry, shoes, dresses, fragrances, home decor and more.
In 2007, Spade left her company Kate Spade New York, after selling a large stake in it to Neiman Marcus in 1999 and ultimately the entire company to Liz Claiborne; a decade later, Coach purchased the company for $2.4 billion. Spade herself changed her last name to Valentine in efforts to separate herself from her former brand, launching a new one with her partners called Frances Valentine in 2016.
Many on social media voiced their shock over the news, sharing their sentiments about the designer as well as calling awareness to mental health issues.
You really never know what people are going through. Be as kind as you can without sacrificing yourself completely. And check on your people! "I'm fine," isn't often a real answer. https://t.co/livkR0cew0
— Bärí A. Williams, Esq. (@BariAWilliams) June 5, 2018
This story is developing.
As always, if you or someone you know needs help, please reach out. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The toll-free number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Otherwise, you can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.