Celebrities from Chelsea Clinton to Bethenny Frankel have expressed their sadness at the death of Kate Spade.
Spade, 55, is believed to have committed suicide in her Manhattan apartment.
The popular designer left a note before taking her own life by hanging and was discovered by her housekeeper.
American icon: Kate Spade was found dead at the age of 55 in her Park Avenue apartment on Tuesday (Spade above in 2004)
Chelsea Clinton was one of the first to tweet her sadness regarding Spade’s death
Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel also tweeted about the tragedy, writing that ‘success doesn’t make you happy’
Singer Josh Groban tweeted out the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Roxane Gay was among the celebrities who expressed remose after the news broke
Diane Von Furstenberg and Steven Kolb, presidents of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, released a statement following news of her death.
‘The CFDA is devastated to hear the news of our friend, colleague, and CFDA member Kate Spade’s tragic passing,’ it read.
‘She was a great talent who had an immeasurable impact on American fashion and the way the world viewed American accessories.’
‘We want to honor her life and her major contribution to the fashion business and express our most sincere condolences to the family.’
Clinton was among the first celebrities to express her remorse about Spade’s death.
‘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,’ Clinton tweeted.
‘Poor @katespade to be in so much pain,’ Frankel wrote. ‘Success doesn’t make you happy. True love & peace does.’
‘Some people are just completely tormented despite meds & friends & support.’
‘Some simply cannot deal & it is part of their DNA. Some can cope. It’s truly tragic to imagine the pain taking you there.’
Designer Kenneth Cole was among those in the fashion world who paid tribute to Spade
Diane Von Furstenberg and Steven Kolb, presidents of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, released a statement about Spade’s ‘tragic passing’
Singer Josh Groban tweeted out the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline after news broke.
‘Depression does not discriminate and comes without warning. RIP Kate Spade. Love to her family,’ he wrote.
Designer Kenneth Cole called Spade an ‘inspiring accessory’ in the fashion world.
“‘I believed that I could, so I did”‘, Cole quoted in his tweet before adding: ‘She alone didn’t change the handbag world but she was an inspiring accessory.’
Designer Liz Lange called Spade the ‘nicest woman’.
Designer Liz Lange called Spade the ‘nicest woman’ and said she was heartbroken by the news
Singer Jessica Vosk called Spade a ‘pioneer for women’s fashion’ and wrote that mental illness ‘does not discriminate’
‘The first person to compliment me on Liz Lange Maternity when I first started,’ she wrote.
‘And the creator of the most iconic brand. I am heart broken by this news.’
Singer Jessica Vosk said Spade was a ‘pioneer for women’s fashion’.
‘Mental illness does not discriminate,’ she added. ‘No matter who you are. If you ever feel alone, know there is ALWAYS help. Love you.’
Spade is survived by her husband Andy, who is the brother of actor David Spade, and her 13-year-old daughter Frances.
Spade and her husband launched their design line back in 1993, starting at first with just handbags before expanding to clothes and other accessories.
Family: She is survived by her husband Andrew (above in 2017), who is the brother of actor David Spade, and her 13-year-old daughter Frances
Scene: The designer left a note before taking her own life by hanging and was discovered by her housekeeper just after 10am (exterior of her apartment building above)
Three years in the couple was able to open their first store, and for the next decade continued to grow the company.
Kate launched international and home lines by 2004, having by that point sold off most of her company.
Neiman Marcus purchased 56 percent of the company in 1999 and the remaining 44 percent by 2006, at which time Kate left the business to raise her daughter.
Kate had just recently tried to reenter the fashion worked in 2016 with the launch of Frances Valentine, a line of luxury handbags and shoes.
Family: She sold the remaining shares in her company to Neiman Marcus in 2006 and devoted herself to raising her daughter (husband Andy and daughter Frances circa 2009)
In the decade since she sold her ownership Kate Spade has continued to grow, and in 2017 the brand was purchased by Coach for an astonishing $2.4billion.
She was twice honored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 1996 as an emerging accessories designer to watch and again in 1998 as the best accessories designer of the year.
That same group held its annual gala and awards show on Monday in Brooklyn, which Spade did not attend.
She was born Kate Brosnahan in Kanasas City, where she attended an all-girls school before heading off to college at the University of Kansas.
Kate decided to transfer to Arizona State University and study journalism, which is where she met her husband.
She graduated in 1985 and spent the next six years working for Mademoiselle in New York City, eventually landing herself the role of senior fashion editor.
In 1991 she left the magazine and decided to go out on her own with a line of purses, believing there was a gap in the market she could fill.
A year after launching the company, Kate and Andy were married.
If you or anyone you know needs to talk, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)