Beauty

We all know her and love her for her beautiful bags. The story of Kate Spade is one of the All American Girl. Here was a girl that grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and described by everyone who knew her as wonderfully original. She embodied a ‘fresh sense of style’ and approached life and business with a seriousness that exuded nothing but professionalism.

Kate Spade began her career after finishing college in 1986. She started out at Mademoiselle magazine and left in 1991 as the Senior Fashion Editor and Head of Accessories. When she worked at Mademoiselle, Kate understood that the fashion market was missing something — a beautiful handbag that the average American woman could afford. So she decided to create one. The first concept was nothing but a myriad of sketches with some notes on costs of production with the end product being her famous satin-finished nylon bag in the $150 price range. Crossing her fingers and making a wish, Kate and her husband Andy Spade began marketing the Kate Spade brand “Kate Spade Handbags” in 1993.

 By 1996, Kate received an award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America for her talent in accessories. She received this distinction again in 1998 as Best Accessory Designer of the Year. In 1999, her bags made it to the Cooper Hewitt Museum for a National Design Triennial celebrating American Design excellence. She then received an award in 2004 for her Home line and several other recognitions followed this.

Kate’s bags are known for both their functionality and their beauty. Her bags each have a signature name that embodies a place on the planet that is dear to Kate’s heart. Here is her famous Foster’s Crossing creation, from a little known place in Idaho.  Pictured right is her Pasadena bag from one of L.A.’s most famous cities.

 In November 2006, Liz Claiborne Inc. purchased the Kate Spade brand for $124 million with a six-month transition plan. Sadly, that six month period has come to an end and Kate and Andy Spade are stepping out of the Kate Spade brand. Kate will leave her position as head designer, and Andy as CEO. The pair will explore other avenues of interest, continue their love of travel, and spend time with their two and a half year old daughter.

In 1993, Kate Spade debuted with seven handbags that were both practical and stylish.  Now they are still chic, and remain as practical as they were 100 years ago.  To date they have been seen in museums, runways, magazine, and are featured on a global level for every woman that wants a bag that will last from one year to the next and through every season.

I am a big BIG fan of Kate Spade. I do have a couple of her bags, and it seems I will be adding to that collection SOON.  She names each of her bags after a place, so unique.  Here are a couple that have just dropped a bomb in price.  You may like them, I know I do.

The first is the Tulum Small Coal.  Tulum is located in Mexico, and is perfect for travelers looking for a relaxed setting.  Reminiscent of the woven bags found in Mexican markets, these bags are made from raffia and cotton. Now going for 50% off at $147.00.

And here we have the Hillsborough Small Carla.  The history on this bag goes like this. She found the inspiration for this bag just south of San Francisco in the residential enclave of Hillsborough, where beautiful mansions date back to the early 20th century, and lush gardens offer a refreshing escape from the city.   This one for $296.00.

I should say if you want these, act now. I went to purchase the Medium Shopper Long Handle, which my sister told me about YESTERDAY (and it was SO there!), and it went going going gone.  Good luck!