Kate Spade New York is an American fashion brand founded in January 1993 in New York. It was started by Kate Spade, born Katherine Noel Brosnahan, together with her husband Andy Spade, Elyce Arons, and Pamela Bell. Before that, Kate worked as an accessories editor at Mademoiselle magazine. She had trouble finding a bag that was both practical and stylish, so she designed one herself. Her first product was a bag called Sam, with a classic shape, a choice of colors, and a small black label on the outside. From bags, the brand expanded into shoes, stationery, eyewear, jewelry, and home goods. Since 2017, Kate Spade has been owned by Tapestry, Inc., the company formerly named Coach, Inc. For buyers of secondhand bags, the simple shapes and varied colors make the brand easy to recognize.
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Kate was born on December 24, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri. She studied journalism at Arizona State University and graduated in 1985. There she met Andy, who was studying architecture. In 1986 the two moved to New York. Kate worked at Mademoiselle and left in 1991 as a senior editor and head of accessories. To look for inspiration, she went through flea markets and secondhand shops, then studied styles, fabrics, and estimated production costs. She made her first samples from construction paper in her apartment.
The brand was officially founded in 1993. Andy withdrew 35,000 US dollars from his 401K retirement account to pay for production. Kate launched six versions of the Sam bag. The result was a square bag with a small black label reading "Kate Spade New York" stitched on the outside. The target market at the time was the upper middle class and above. The first store opened in the SoHo area of New York in 1996. Sales began to rise after 1998. Neiman Marcus Group bought 56 percent of the shares in 1999 and the rest in 2006. In November 2006, Liz Claiborne Inc. bought the brand.
The products then grew well beyond bags. There were eyewear, jewelry, stationery, shoes, clothing, and fragrances. The home line "kate spade at home" appeared in 2007. Andy also founded Jack Spade in 1999 as a men's line, which later closed all of its stores in January 2015. In July 2017, Tapestry, Inc. bought Kate Spade & Company.
- Sam: Kate Spade's first handbag, introduced in six versions before the brand was founded.
- Square bag with a black label: a classic shape from the debut line, with a small "Kate Spade New York" label on the outside.
- Wayne (Jack Spade): a series of men's bags from the Jack Spade line, available in leather, canvas, and nylon, with metal feet and a detachable shoulder strap.
- Coal (Jack Spade): a thick canvas tote inspired by coal-carrying bags from the 1920s, later remade in suede, nylon, and leather.
Kate Spade is currently empty. Preloved pieces arrive one at a time, check again after the next drop.
What we check before listing
We look at the label on the outside of the bag first. On the classic square bag, the small black label reading "Kate Spade New York" is usually stitched on the outside, so we check the neatness of the stitching, the spelling, and the typeface. Hardware such as zippers, clasps, and metal logos is checked for color, weight, and signs of dullness or corrosion. We feel the corners, straps, and handles for scuffs, cracks, or peeling paint. We open the inside to check for odor, stains, and torn lining. For Jack Spade bags, we look for the label at the corner of the bag, which can be embroidered fabric or an embossed stamp, and we compare it with the known writing format.
Caring for it
Store the bag in a cool, dry place, in a dust bag, and fill the inside with paper so it keeps its shape. Clean leather with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then apply leather conditioner if needed. Canvas and nylon only need to be wiped gently, and avoid hard rubbing because it can damage the color. Keep the bag away from rain and direct sunlight.
FAQ
Is Kate Spade the same as Coach?
No. They are separate brands. Since July 2017, Kate Spade has been owned by Tapestry, Inc., the company formerly named Coach, Inc.
What was Kate Spade's first bag?
Her first bag was called Sam. Kate Spade designed it in six versions, and the business started from this bag. The first bag went on sale in January 1993.
What is the difference between Kate Spade and Jack Spade?
Jack Spade is a men's line founded by Andy Spade in 1999. It had its own identity, website, and stores. All of its stores were closed in January 2015, and its website was shut down in 2017.
How do you recognize a Kate Spade label?
The classic bags originally used a small black label reading "Kate Spade New York" stitched on the outside. We use this label as one clue, not as the only deciding factor. We also assess the stitching, hardware, and materials as a whole.
Does Kate Spade have official stores in Indonesia?
Yes. According to our sources, Kanmo Group holds the license for its products in Indonesia, with 19 Kate Spade New York stores.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).