Revered fashion designer Kate Spade, 55, died by suicide at her Manhattan home Tuesday. Spade's death has inspired a wave of tributes on social media and beyond, including a succinct and supportive note from Kanye West.
Late Tuesday, West shared a screenshot of an article about Spade's passing, adding a message of "love" for Spade and her family.
Comedian David Spade, Kate's brother-in-law, shared a throwback holiday photo Tuesday in remembrance. "We had so much fun that day," he said. "[Kate] was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard. I still can't believe it. It's a rough world out there people, try to hang on."
The Kate Spade New York brand launched in 1993 and quickly grew to include more than 140 physical retail locations across the U.S. The idea for it all, Spade revealed to NPR in 2017, came together during a random dinner at a Mexican restaurant. "So, Andy [her husband and David Spade's brother] and I were out, honestly, at a Mexican restaurant and he just said, what about handbags?" she said. "And I said, honey, you just don't start a handbag company. And he said, why not? How hard can it be? I thought, OK, really? He regrets those words."
In a statement Tuesday, a rep for the brand—which Spade sold a majority share of to Neiman Marcus back in 1999—said their founder would be "dearly missed."
