Kate Spade has been found dead inside her Manhattan apartment.
The popular designer, who shot to fame with her line of eponymous purses, is believed to have committed suicide.
Spade, 55, left a note before taking her own life by hanging.
She is survived by her husband Andy, who is the brother of actor David Spade, and her 13-year-old daughter Frances.
American icon: Kate Spade was found dead at the age of 55 in her Park Avenue apartment on Tuesday
Kate and her husband launched their design line back in 1993, starting at first with just handbags before expnading to clothes and other accessories.
Three years in the couple was able to open their first store, and for the next decade continue to grow the company.
She has 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 workd in 2016 with the launch of Frances Valentine, a line of luxury handbags and shoes.
In the decade since she wold her ownership Kate Spade has continued to grow, and in 2017 the brand was purchased by coach for an astonishing $2.4 billion.
If you or anyone you know needs to talk, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)