Kate Spade Label. She Tucked Her Coral Lipstick Back and Loated Back to the Party
FASHION designer Kate Spade left a heartbreaking suicide note to her teen daughter before she was found hanged at her New York apartment, it is claimed.
Spade, 55, who built a fashion empire on her signature handbags, suffered with manic depression but refused to get help in case it damaged her brand, her sister revealed.
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Cops confirmed Spade took her own life after she was found hanged at her Upper East Side apartment on Tuesday morning.
According to US celebrity website TMZ, her suicide note read: "Bea - I have always loved you. This is not your fault. Ask Daddy!"
Her devastated sister Reta Saffo revealed Spade had been suffering with a mental illness for the last three or four years and her suicide "was not unexpected by me".
She said family members had tried to help the mum-of-one get help but she was concerned that seeking treatment might harm the image of the "happy-go-lucky" Kate Spade brand.
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A police source told the New York Post: "It was over family problems... in her relationship."
Mr Spade reportedly moved out of the apartment and wanted a divorce, according to TMZ.
However it is believed he was in another room in the flat when their housekeeper discovered her body yesterday morning.
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Her sister Reta added that Spade had seemed fixated on Robin Williams' hanging suicide in 2014 and kept re-watching the news report over and over.
She said: "I think the plan was already in motion even as far back as then."
Speaking to the Kansas City Star, Reta added: "Sometimes you simply cannot SAVE people from themselves!"
She believes her sibling, who was two years younger, may have been planning to end her life for some time.
"One of the last things she said to me was, 'Reta, I know you hate funerals and don't attend them, but for me would you PLEASE come to MINE, at least. Please!' I know she perhaps had a plan, but she insisted she did not."
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Kate Spade's honest admission in one of her final interviews before tragic suicide
Her sister also said on numerous occasions she would come close to getting her to go in for treatment for her problems before "chickening out" at the last moment.
She added that at least once Kate was going to go the same treatment programme where Catherine Zeta-Jones was treated for bipolar disorder in 2013.
Reta said she was worried that her "happy go lucky" image would be damaged if people found out she was in treatment.
Paying tribute, Spade's family said in a statement: "We are all devastated by today's tragedy. We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly.
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"We would ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this very difficult time."
The company Kate Spade also released a statement following the "incredibly sad" news.
It said: "Although Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand.
"Kate will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time."
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Earlier, 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."
As medical examiners were seen entering the apartment block where the Kansas City-born designer lived, the rich and famous paid tribute to the fashion icon.
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Her brother-in-law, actor David Spade shared two images on social media of himself with Kate as he paid tribute.
He wrote on Twitter: "Katy at my book signing. I love this pic of her. So pretty. I don't think everyone knew how f*****g funny she was... Its a rough world out there people. Try to hang on."
The Rules of Engagement star echoed the same sentiments on Instagram writing: "Fuzzy picture but i love it. Kate and I during Christmas family photos. We had so much fun that day.
"She was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard. I still cant believe it."
Actress Lena Dunham, 32, described the mum-of-one as "more than a designer".
#MYFIRSTKATESPADE
EVERY girl remembers her first Kate Spade bag.
People from all walks of life have taken to Twitter to post their earliest memories of the late fashion designer, Kate Spade's designs.
Fans, including some famous faces, have been using the hashtag #MyFirstKateSpade to share the stories behind their "most prized possession" – their first Kate Spade bag.
@llucky_13 said "I bought #MyFirstKateSpade after finally finding a stable full time job. It was my first chance to treat myself and show some of my personality in the professional world."
@lamebriar explained the milestone that brought her her first Kate Spade design
She said "i bought my first kate spade bag shortly after moving into my own apartment, i was so excited to finally be out on my own and have my own apartment. buying myself a kate spade purse was my way of celebrating that. #MyFirstKateSpade #RIPKateSpade "
@maggieroyce said "I bought #MyFirstKateSpade "big girl" bag after receiving my first ever blog collaboration paycheck in 2014. Since then my trusty pink bag has been on my arm on every adventure as a reminder of the bright colored indiviualism that got me there."
Beth Behrs (who plays heiress Caroline Channing in Two Broke Girls) posted "I remember when I got my first Kate Spade bag in high school. It was my most prized possession. My current wallet ,covered in bees , makes me smile every time I see it- it's by Kate Spade. My heart is just broken for her family and loved ones."
@Tristine214 shared one of Kate Spade's quotes, left printed in her designs "She tucked her coral lipstick away and floated back to the party - Kate Spade #MyFirstKateSpade"
By Hannay Tully
She added: "She had a quirky visual language that captivated Bat Mitzvah girls and artists alike. She was also a staple of NYC who spread good will.
"My heart breaks for her family. Thank you, Kate, from one of the millions you made feel beautiful."Chelsea Clinton, 38, tweeted: "My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college. I still have it. Holding Kate's family, friends and loved ones in my heart."
Ivanka Trump, 36, wrote: "Kate Spade's tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another's pain or the burden they carry."
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Pretty Little Liars actress Lucy Hale added: "Very saddened to hear about the passing of Kate Spade. Mental illness does not discriminate and can happen to anyone."
Journalist Guy Raz, who featured Spade on the How I Built This podcast last year, said he was "totally shocked" to hear of her death.
And model Tess Holliday tweeted: "Kate Spade & her brand have always been so kind to me the past couple years & I'm crushed to hear about her passing."
Fashion designer Kate Spade shows off her Upper East Side apartment in New York
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In a 2002 Glamour Women of the Year interview, Spade told the magazine how she wanted to be remembered.
"I hope that people remember me not just as a good businesswoman but as a great friend," she said. "And a heck of a lot of fun."
Spade met her husband when they were working at a men's clothing store in Phoenix, Arizona while at university.
Together they launched Kate Spade Handbags in 1993, initially selling handbags before expanding to include clothing, jewellery, bedding, legwear and fragrances.
It became one of the biggest names in female accessories and stars including the Duchess of Cambridge, Anne Hathaway and Taylor Swift have been pictured with her handbags.
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What was Kate Spade's cause of death, how old was the designer and who are her husband and children?
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There were more than 140 Kate Spade New York outlets in the US alone and more than 175 worldwide.
Despite her meteoric success, she sold her firm for around £22million in 2007 to spend more time with her daughter.
It was eventually sold to Liz Claiborne Inc for £92.6million and in May last year, Coach Inc bought it for £1.8billion.
The deal transformed Coach into a fashion powerhouse, a strategy that European counterparts including Louis Vuitton have built their businesses on.
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A PIONEERING DESIGNER
By Deputy fashion editor, Clemmie Fieldsend
ICONIC fashion designer Kate Spade made her brand one of the fastest growing fashion houses in the world.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri the young Catholic girl clicked her heels and moved to fashion capital New York to begin her career.
Starting her own business alongside husband Andy in 1993, they opened their first store in 1996 beginning with handbags and later branchedinto clothing and accessories.
But it was her vision for fun yet practical fashion that made Kate Spade a household name.
In her early career she saw that no one was making designer handbags that were actually useful and took it upon herself to re-vamp functioning fashion.
The likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, Miranda Kerr and celebrities worldwide would all carry her must-have arm candy.
The brand cleverly placed themselves in the middle market, appealing to customers who wanted to bag something designer but without the hefty price tag – similarly to Michael Kores.
With handbag prices ranging from £800 to £88 the brand had a recipe for success.
Kate sold the final 49 per cent of the brand in 2007 to reportedly raise her young daughter.
But the brands success still continued to soar under her name. They expanded into stationary and glassware and even got a royal seal of approval from The Duchess of Cambridge who has worn Kate Spade several times.
With its celebrity status cemented, Spade's designs rippled through the high street with Dune, Primark and Topshop all channelling her fun, bold style.
After being a stay at home mum she launched Frances Valentine in 2016.
The fashion industry will mourn the loss of this pioneering designer.
Spade got back into the fashion game in 2016, launching luxury footwear and accessory brand Frances Valentine.
"Why are you putting your hand back in the blender?" fellow designer Michael Kors once asked Kate, who shared that piece of advice with the Wall Street Journal.
She added: "Why did I start a new company? I was like, shoot. That might've been good advice but a bit too late!"
Her Upper East Side home was adorned with photos of her family, as well as bright and bold floor-to-ceiling art, according to People magazine who were invited into her luxury flat.
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The doting mum once told how she put up her daughter's own artwork, adding: "I feel like she deserves as much credit in this room so I want her work to feel as important."
The New York Police Department confirmed the designer's death under her birth name, Katherine Noel Brosnahan.
Spade's business representatives did not respond to a request for comment.
- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.
Kate Spade Label. She Tucked Her Coral Lipstick Back and Loated Back to the Party
Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6457817/kate-spade-found-dead-new-york-flat-apparent-suicide-note/
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