Photo: Getty
They met at work.
By Amy Lamare — Written on Jun 05, 2018
Who Is Kate Spade's husband? There's heartbreaking news in the world of fashion today. Designer Kate Spade, who made a name for herself with her classic "Sam" handbag in the 1990s, is dead of an apparent suicide at 55. She was found hanging in her Park Avenue apartment by her housekeeping staff. She left a note.
She is survived by her husband, Andy Spade, and their daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade. Andy has not yet released a statement about his famous wife's death. Let's take a look at the details about how Kate and Andy met and how integral he was to her success as an accessories designer.
1. They met at work.
Kate graduated from Arizona State University in 1985. After college, she went to work at a men's clothing shop in Scottsdale, Arizona where she met her future husband Andy Spade.
2. He has a famous brother.
Andy Spade is the brother of actor David Spade.
3. They married in 1994.
Kate and Andy married in 1994, one year after she launched her eponymous handbag line.
4. He lent Kate money to start her company.
Andy withdrew $35,000, which was the total balance of his 401K account, to fund the production of Kate's first handbag. Her debut line infused classic shapes, colors, and fabrics into a now iconic square bag with a little black label sewn to the outside of the bag that said "kate spade new york." The gamble paid off. In 1993, Kate Spade New York had $100,000 in revenues. In 1995, revenues had climbed to $1.5 million.
5. He suggested Kate launch an accessories line.
Kate knew she wanted to design something but she wasn't sure what. It was Andy that suggested she launch an accessories line. She had the vision to create the "perfect handbag." The company expanded to produce jewelry, shoes, clothing, stationery, eyewear, fragrance and home decor.
6. He kept his day job.
When Kate and Andy launched kate spade new york in 1993, Andy kept his day job at an ad agency. He didn't quit to join his wife in their company full-time until 1996.
7. He is an entrepreneur.
Besides helping his wife with her company, Andy is a founding partner of Partners & Spade, a studio of designers, writers, architects, and marketers.
8. Kate and Andy sold the company.
In 1999, Kate, Andy and their partners sold 56% of their brand to Neiman Marcus. In 2007, the brand was sold to Liz Claiborne, Inc. In 2017, Coach acquired Kate Spade for $2.4 billion. Kate and Andy didn't see a dime of that money. The couple cashed out of the company and sold the rights to the kate spade new york brand in 2007 for $124 million.
9. They founded a new company in 2016.
Kate and Andy launched a new company called Frances Valentine in 2016. The new line sells handbags, accessories and shoes.
Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based freelance writer covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. She is deeply devoted to her chocolate Labrador and an avid long distance runner. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.