FASHION QUEEN
What was Kate Spade’s net worth, what were her iconic designs and what companies did she own?
KATE Spade built an iconic handbag empire adored by A-listers and rival celeb designers alike.
The talented fashion designer, who has passed away aged 55, became renowned for her quirky yet evocative retro designs. Here's what we know about her success...
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What was Kate Spade's net worth?
Kate Spade's net worth in 2018 was £111.8million ($150million).
Launching her business in 1993, she became quickly successful for her retro yet classically simple designs.
Two years later, she had her own stand-alone store in New York City, with Kate Spade & Co worth £1.12million ($1.5million).
Kate sold 56 per cent of her brand in 199 for £25million ($33.6million) and the remainder in 2006 for a reported £44million ($59million).
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What were her iconic designs?
Kate Spade launched her handbag empire because she was unimpressed with the options of bags she saw coming through as a magazine editor.
Describing what she tried to produce, Kate told the Boston Globe in 1999: "I was looking for something that could be less serious. More personal. I also wanted timelessness."
She also gained credibility for her minimalist coloured bags, which were striking in the 90s, solely focused on the likes of charcoal brown and dark grey.
With her handbag success, Kate soon extended her businesses to include clothing, jewellery, shoes, stationery, eyeware, fragrances and gifts.
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She produced a wealth of famous items embellished with her classic prints including:
- Typewriter satchel
- Dashboard clutch
- Kate Spade polka-dot print
- Classic radio clutch
- Sam handbag
- Envelope wristlet
- Minnie Mouse collection
- Classic notebooks and stationary
- Simple black bucket bag
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A range of celebrities were keen to be snapped wearing her designs including:
- Kate Middleton
- Kerry Washington
- Sasha Obama
- Mischa Barton
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What companies did she own?
Kate Spade created her namesake brand with her husband Andy.
In 1996, she decided to expand beyond handbags, launching her own men's line Jack Spade in 1999.
But she hadn't been involved in her businesses for years, according to reports.
MORE IN FASHION
The Spades sold the brand to Neiman Marcus in 2006, which already owned 56 per cent of it.
Nieman Marcus sold Kate Spade's brand to Liz Claiborne shortly after.
The Kate Spade brand is now owned by Coach parent company Tapestry.
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