Following the news that famed fashion designer Kate Spade died of apparent suicide, stars from the fashion and entertainment worlds have expressed their sadness on social media.
Spade was found in her New York City apartment on Tuesday and was pronounced dead on the scene. The designer started her handbag company in 1994 with husband Andy Spade (brother of actor David Spade), and created a brand that extended to clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationary, eyewear, and bedding, among other items. Kate Spade New York currently has over 140 retail shops and outlets across the country and more than 175 stores internationally.
Actresses Lena Dunham and Beth Behrs were among the first to express their condolences, with Dunham tweeting, “Kate Spade was more than a designer. She had a quirky visual language that captivated Bat Mitzvah girls and artists alike. She was also a staple of NYC who spread good will.”
Behrs spoke about what Spade had meant to her personally, remembering the first Kate Spade bag she had gotten in high school. “It was my most prized possession,” she wrote. “My current wallet, covered in bees, makes me smile every time I see it- it’s by Kate Spade. My heart is just broken for her family and loved ones.”
Kate Spade was more than a designer. She had a quirky visual language that captivated Bat Mitzvah girls and artists alike. She was also a staple of NYC who spread good will. My heart breaks for her family. Thank you, Kate, from one of the millions you made feel beautiful.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) June 5, 2018
I remember when I got my first Kate Spade bag in high school. It was my most prized possession. My current wallet ,covered in bees , makes me smile every time I see it- it’s by Kate Spade. My heart is just broken for her family and loved ones.
— Beth Behrs (@BethBehrs) June 5, 2018
David Spade wrote about his sister-in-law later in the day, saying in an Instagram post, “She was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard. I still cant believe it.”
Mindy Kaling posted, “I have worn her clothes many, many times. They were colorful, bold, cheerful, and encouraged women to find the twinkly person inside them. You couldn’t walk into her boutiques and not smile. Rest In Peace, Kate.”
Reese Witherspoon also wrote, “My heart and prayers go out to Kate Spade and her family. What a wonderful, talented woman who will be dearly missed.”
I am heartbroken about the news of Kate Spade. I have worn her clothes many, many times. They were colorful, bold, cheerful, and encouraged women to find the twinkly person inside them. You couldn’t walk into her boutiques and not smile. Rest In Peace, Kate.
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) June 5, 2018
My heart and prayers go out to Kate Spade and her family. What a wonderful, talented woman who will be dearly missed.
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) June 5, 2018
Singer Josh Groban sent “love to her family” and said that “depression does not discriminate and comes without warning,” while tweeting the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Lucy Hale added that mental illness “can happen to anyone with any circumstances. I hope she has found peace.”
Depression does not discriminate and comes without warning. RIP Kate Spade. Love to her family.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
— josh groban (@joshgroban) June 5, 2018
Very saddened to hear about the passing of Kate Spade. Mental illness does not discriminate and can happen to anyone with any circumstances. I hope she has found peace ❤️
— Lucy Hale (@lucyhale) June 5, 2018
Chelsea Clinton tweeted about when her “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.” Ivanka Trump wrote the designer’s “tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another’s pain or the burden they carry.”
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.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) June 5, 2018
Kate Spade’s tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another’s pain or the burden they carry. If you are struggling with depression and contemplating suicide, please, please seek help. https://t.co/eruSexNoGj
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 5, 2018
Fellow designer Kenneth Cole praised Spade’s career, tweeting (but later deleting), “‘I believed that I could, so I did.’ She alone didn’t change the handbag world but she was an inspiring accessory.”
Spade’s niece, “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Rachel Brosnahan, posted a tribute on Instagram. She wrote, “Knowing Katy, this is how she would want to be remembered. She had a light that words can’t capture but touched everyone she came into contact with. She was exceedingly kind, beautifully sensitive, insanely talented, funny as heck and one of the most generous people I have ever known. She was effervescent. Hug your loved ones extra tight today.”
More tweets below:
Me heart goes out to Kate Spade's family. May we all take note that we never know what goes on in someone’s life. Be kind to people today, even those you think have it all. https://t.co/1SFbSRfQK6
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) June 5, 2018
my heart is so broken hearing the news of Kate Spade. 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. my heart and prayers are with Kate and her loved ones. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NXrzcKiWqy
— Emma Kenney 🌹 (@EmmaRoseKenney) June 5, 2018
RIP Kate Spade
— stealth level boat (@lilyachty) June 5, 2018
I will never forget the first Kate Spade bag I got for Christmas in college. She was a trailblazer. Her life and death are a reminder that pain doesn’t discriminate. Sending love to her family.
— Jenna Bush Hager (@JennaBushHager) June 5, 2018
So much heartbreak today. I can’t stop thinking about it.
— Bethenny Frankel (@Bethenny) June 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/rgay/status/1004046650233548805
Kate Spade & her brand have always been so kind to me the past couple years & I’m crushed to hear about her passing. Suicide isn’t “the easy way out” and shouldn’t be mocked. My heart goes out to her family & team today 😭💕
— Tess H🍒lliday (@Tess_Holliday) June 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/jameelajamil/status/1004038873184272385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cosmopolitan.com%2Fstyle-beauty%2Ffashion%2Fa21084778%2Fcelebrities-fashion-world-mourn-loss-of-kate-spade%2F
https://twitter.com/stevenkolb/status/1004043111151095809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cosmopolitan.com%2Fstyle-beauty%2Ffashion%2Fa21084778%2Fcelebrities-fashion-world-mourn-loss-of-kate-spade%2F