Those mourning the loss of Kate Spade include Hollywood luminaries many may not know were related to the revered fashion designer: She was the sister-in-law to “Saturday Night Live” alum David Spade, and the aunt of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Rachel Brosnahan.
Kate Spade married David Spade’s brother, Andy Spade, in 1994. She guest-starred as herself on David Spade’s sitcom “Just Shoot Me” in 2002. He tweeted an image of her late Tuesday at a signing for his 2015 memoir, “Almost Interesting.”
“Katy at my book signing. I love this pic of her. So pretty,” David Spade wrote (see tweet, below). “I don’t think everyone knew how f—ing funny she was… It’s a rough world out there people. Try to hang on.”
Kate Spade shares her maiden name with Rachel Brosnahan, who starred on “House of Cards” before moving on to “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Amazon’s acclaimed comedy series about an aspiring comic in 1960s New York.
In an interview with WWD, Rachel Brosnahan spoke about how her grandmother, June — the mother of Kate Spade and Brosnahan’s father — influenced her character, Midge Maisel. She also said her own fashion influence was mostly “from afar.”
“But people around me have said that I’ve inherited little pieces of Katie’s style,” she said. “For example, I love a good shoe and a good bag, and I know that she was largely influenced by my grandmother, her mother, June. Who actually, fun fact, Midge is slightly inspired by.”
Kate and Andy Spade founded Kate Spade New York in 1993, followed by the men’s brand Jack Spade. Andy Spade also established Partners & Spade, a storefront and studio.
CNN wrote in 2003:
Kate was Kate Brosnahan in 1992 when, as a former fashion editor, she designed and made her first square bag out of construction paper. With money tight, Andy didn’t leave his job at an ad agency to join Kate at the company until 1996. Three years later the Spades sold 56% of their handbag business to Neiman Marcus for $33.6 million.
Kate Spade told CNN: “The reason I started making handbags was because of Andy’s suggestion. After moving through a number of positions, I had been promoted to senior fashion editor after six years at Mademoiselle magazine. I wasn’t sure the next step was one I wanted to make.”
The couple have one child together, Frances Beatrix Spade, who is now 13.
Kate Spade was found dead in her Manhattan apartment Tuesday after an apparent suicide, according to law enforcement officials who spoke with the Associated Press.
Her housekeeper found her body hanging in her home, the AP reported.
Katy at my book signing. I love this pic of her. So pretty. I dont think everyone knew how fucking funny she was… Its a rough world out there people. Try to hang on pic.twitter.com/2kRPvGvj8w
— David Spade (@DavidSpade) June 6, 2018