After fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead at her New York apartment yesterday, having taken her own life, her family have released emotional statements.
"We are all devastated by today’s tragedy," her family said in a statement to the New York Daily News. "We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly. We would ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this very difficult time."
Kate and her husband Andy have a 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade.
The BBC reported the 55-year-old co-founder of handbag brand Kate Spade was found by her housekeeper on Tuesday morning at 10.20 am East Coast time in her Park Avenue home. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The designer's sister, Eve Brosnahan, also spoke with the Daily News on Tuesday, but struggled to say much. "It’s very difficult," she said, crying. Unable to say anything more, Eve told reporters: "I can’t right now. I just can’t."
Kate Spade started the brand that would become world famous back in 1993 with her partner Andy Spade, who she married in 1994. Starting out just making handbags, the couple's label soon expanded into clothing and jewellery. Kate sold her company back in 2007, saying she wanted to spend time raising her daughter.
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But just two years ago she made a resurgence back into the world of fashion, launching a new brand called Frances Valentine, named after her daughter and her grandfather.
Our thoughts are with Kate's family.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, call the Samaritans helpline at any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 116 123.
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Cat is Cosmopolitan UK's features editor covering women's issues, health and current affairs. news, features and health. The route to her heart is a simple combination of pasta and cheese (somewhat ironic considering the whole health writing thing), and she finds it difficult to commit to TV series so currently has about 14 different ones on the go.
