Kate Valentine (born Katherine Noel Brosnahan; December 24, 1962 – June 5, 2018), known professionally as Kate Spade, was an American fashion designer and businesswoman. She was the namesake and former co-owner of the designer brand Kate Spade New York. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Spade was the sister-in-law of David Spade.
Kate and Andy Spade founded Kate Spade New York in 1993. She sold the company to Neiman Marcus Group in 1999 and the rest of the company in 2006.
In 2016, she and her partners launched a new fashion brand called Frances Valentine.
Death
On June 5, 2018, Spade committed suicide by hanging herself at her Manhattan apartment. She was 55 years old. There was a suicide note.