As news started to spread of Kate Spade’s tragic death, women began to mourn by sharing memories of what her designs meant to them.
Spade, 55, was found dead in her Park Avenue apartment on Tuesday morning. New York Police have confirmed she committed suicide.
In the hours after the news broke, social media began to fill with the #RIP hashtags and messages hoping for peace and comfort that often accompany celebrity deaths.
But Twitter also became colored with a rainbow of bags, complete with stories from women who wanted to share just how much that first Kate Spade purse had meant.
As news began to spread of Kate Spade’s tragic death, women began to mourn by sharing memories of what her designs meant to them
Chelsea Clinton was one of the first to do so as she led the tributes for the acclaimed designer
Jenna Bush Hager also shared memories of her first Kate Spade bag which, like Clinton, she got while in college
Chelsea Clinton was one of the first to do so as she led the tributes for the acclaimed designer.
‘My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college,’ she wrote. ‘I still have it. Holding Kate’s family, friends, and loved ones in my heart.’
Jenna Bush Hager also shared memories of her first Kate Spade bag which, like Clinton, she got while she was in college.
‘I will never forget the first Kate Spade bag I got for Christmas in college,’ she wrote.
‘She was a trailblazer. Her life and death are a reminder that pain doesn’t discriminate. Sending love to her family.’
Twitter has become colored with a rainbow of bags, complete with stories from women who wanted to share just how much that first Kate Spade purse had meant
New York Times’ bestselling author Melanie Benjamin spoke of how she had dreamed of owning a Kate Spade bag while growing up, and how she got one to celebrate her first success
Bestselling British author Jack Monroe revealed that she bought herself a Kate Spade bag for every book deal she landed, sharing a photo of a colorful array of purses
One woman named Chaya shared how her first splurge after becoming an attorney was on a black Kate Spade purse
The former first daughters were joined by dozens of women across America who shared tales of saving money to afford one of Spade’s whimsical bags.
Bestselling author Melanie Benjamin spoke of how she had dreamed of owning a Kate Spade bag while growing up.
‘I vowed that if I ever made the NY Times Bestseller List, I would buy one,’ she said.
‘When Aviator’s Wife made the list, I did,’ she added, sharing a photo of herself posing with her purse in 2013.
Vanity Fair journalist Rebecca Keegan shared an especially moving tale of how she came to own a red Kate Spade bucket bag.
Keegan revealed that in 2003, when she was just starting out in New York, she carried a knockoff Spade bag.
Vanity Fair journalist Rebecca Keegan shared an especially moving tale of how she came to own a red Kate Spade bucket bag
‘Her bags represented class, sophistication, and the kind of woman I was pretending to be as a broke reporter in NY,’ she wrote.
But one day Keegan got a ‘spur-of-the-moment assignment’ to interview Spade, while she was carrying the knockoff purse.
‘During the interview I hid the bag under the coat slung on my arm. Spade was, discreetly, trying to see what I was carrying,’ Keegan wrote.
‘She was nice to me, and smart.’
Keegan shared the story with a man she had just started dating. A few days later, she got a package from Macy’s.
‘The guy had sent me a real red Kate Spade bucket bag. I carried the beautiful bag for years, and retired it just recently because I had destroyed it with everyday use.’
‘The guy and I have been married since 2005,’ she added.
Like many of the aforementioned women, journalist Julia Carpenter dreamed of the day she could own a Kate Spade bag
One woman named Karen Derosie shared a picture of her favorite Kate Spade bag, revealing she had switched back to it just a day before the designer’s death
A young woman named Judy Lee shared a photo of herself carrying a Kate Spade shopping bag and posing outside one of the brand’s stores.
Bestselling British author Jack Monroe revealed that she bought herself a Kate Spade bag for every book deal she landed, sharing a photo of a colorful array of purses.
‘She has brought color, joy, and friendship into my life, and I am heartbroken for her daughter,’ Monroe wrote.
Like many of the aforementioned women, journalist Julia Carpenter dreamed of the day she could own a Kate Spade bag.
‘For pretty much all of high school, I fantasized about a future in which I carried the Kate Spade “All Typed Up Clyde” satchel to my fancy NYC writer job,’ she wrote of one bag that was designed to resemble a typewriter.
Another woman named Karina revealed that Kate Spade was the first designer purse she had ever saved up for
A number of women shared pictures of their favorite Kate Spade bags and tales of how they had saved up for them or carried them through the years
‘Saw a girl on the subway just last month holding one and we shared a giant smile.’
And it wasn’t just writers that Kate Spade meant something to.
One woman named Chaya shared how her first splurge after becoming an attorney was on a black Kate Spade purse.
‘Functional, crisp, professional, gorgeous,’ she wrote. ‘It takes a beautiful mind to design beautiful things.’
Another woman named Karina revealed that Kate Spade was the first designer purse she had ever saved up for.
Others shared the dresses and shoes designed by Spade that had meant something to them, including Roseanne actress Emma Kenney
‘Your designs were whimsical, retro, and magical. You will be missed,’ she tweeted along with a picture of one of Spade’s large turquoise blue handbags.
A young woman named Judy Lee shared a photo of herself carrying a Kate Spade shopping bag and posing outside one of the brand’s stores.
‘Couple weeks ago when I bought my bag and wallet with my own hard earned money at Kate Spade,’ she wrote. ‘I don’t regret a single penny. #firstkatespade.’
Another woman named Tracy Russo shared a photo of black and white striped Kate Spade bag and said she still had the first one she ever owned.
Spade, 55, was found dead in her Park Avenue apartment on Tuesday morning. New York Police have confirmed she committed suicide
Spade is survived by her husband Andy, who is the brother of actor David Spade, and her 13-year-old daughter Frances
‘I still have my first Kate Spade bag, a simple black Sam bag,’ she wrote. ‘Today I carried one with me as I traipsed around Amalfi.’
‘Kate’s designs made women everywhere smile and feel beautiful. What a loss.’
Others shared the dresses and shoes designed by Spade that had meant something to them, including Roseanne actress Emma Kenney.
‘My heart is broken hearing the news of Kate Spade,’ she wrote. ‘I grew up rocking her dresses and clothing and feeling SO strong, confident, and beautiful.’
‘Thank you for your timeless work and empowering so many.’
If you or anyone you know needs to talk, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)