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Designer Kate Spade Has Died Aged 55

Designer Kate Spade Has Died Aged 55

According to US reports her body was found by her housekeeper

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Fashion designer Kate Spade has been found dead inside her apartment.

The popular handbag designer, 55, is reported to have taken her own life and left behind a note. According to the Daily Mail, her body was found by a housekeeper who alerted authorities.

Kate and her husband Andrew first launched their line of designer handbags back in 1993 - they would eventually branch out into clothes.

Shutterstock

They sold the majority of the company back in 1999 for a reported $34 million, and then sold on the rest for another $59 million in 2006.

The firm was bought out last year by fellow New York designer Coach for a $2.4bn (£1.8bn).

Fifty-five year old Spade was the sister-in-law of actor David Spade. She is survived by husband Andy and their 13-year-old daughter Frances.

In a statement, the company Kate Spade, said: "Although Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand. Kate will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time."

'U OK M8?' is an initiative from TheLADbible in partnership with a range of mental health charities which will feature a series of films and stories to raise awareness of mental health.

If any of this sounds familiar, please don't suffer in silence. Reach out. It's the brave thing to do.

MIND: 0300 123 3393.

Samaritans: 116 123.

CALM: Outside London 0808 802 5858, inside London 0800 58 58 58.

Mental Health Foundation.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Celebrity, US News