Kate Spade Was a Fashion Icon Whose Influence Extended Even to Promo

For many people, buying a Kate Spade handbag was the first step into adulthood. She made fashion approachable, but always fun, and the fashion world is still reeling after the announcement of her suicide yesterday.

Kate Spade was a vibrant, colorful and fun presence in fashion, just like her creations https://t.co/ZOpXamHKzk pic.twitter.com/4s6MnynjSx

— Bloomberg (@business) June 6, 2018

Spade worked as an editor before starting her career in design. When she stepped on the New York fashion scene in the '90s, she was a breath of fresh air for the industry. Prior to her influence, the fashion scene was oversaturated with muted palette colors, like brown, charcoal and anthracite. Spade created bright, bold hues and fun patterns that immediately took the fashion world by storm. It was different, and it appealed to everyone from soccer moms to high-ranking business executives.