Kate Spade was a famous fashion designer who founded the eponymous brand Kate Spade New York. She was known for her colorful and stylish handbags, accessories, clothing, and home decor. She died by suicide in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and elegance.
Many people wonder if Kate Spade was related to David Spade, the actor and comedian who starred in movies like Tommy Boy, Joe Dirt, and Grown Ups. The answer is yes, but only through marriage. David Spade is the brother of Kate Spade’s husband, Andy Spade. All three of them attended Arizona State University, where Kate and Andy met while working at a clothing store.
In this article, we will explore the relationship between Kate Spade and David Spade, how they supported each other in their careers and personal lives, and what they said about each other after Kate’s tragic death.
Contents
How Kate Spade and David Spade Became Family
Kate Spade was born as Katherine Noel Brosnahan in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1962. She had a passion for fashion since she was a young girl, and she moved to New York City in 1986 to pursue a career in journalism. She worked as an accessories editor at Mademoiselle magazine for six years, where she noticed a gap in the market for stylish and affordable handbags.
She decided to start her own business with her boyfriend, Andy Spade, who was also working in advertising. They launched Kate Spade New York in 1993 with six handbag designs that combined sleek shapes, bright colors, and playful details. The brand quickly became popular among celebrities and fashionistas, and expanded to include clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationery, eyewear, baby items, fragrances, tabletop, bedding and gifts.
Kate and Andy got married in 1994 in a small ceremony in Arizona. They had one daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, who was born in 2005. They also collaborated on other ventures, such as launching a men’s brand called Jack Spade in 1999, and creating a new lifestyle brand called Frances Valentine in 2016.
David Spade was born as David Wayne Spade in Birmingham, Michigan, in 1964. He is the youngest of three brothers, including Andy Spade. He grew up in Arizona, where he developed a sense of humor as a way of coping with his family’s financial struggles and his father’s absence. He attended Arizona State University, where he studied business and joined a sketch comedy group.
He moved to Los Angeles in 1988 to pursue a career in comedy. He got his big break when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1990, where he became known for his sarcastic and snarky persona. He also starred in several movies with his friend and fellow SNL alum Chris Farley, such as Tommy Boy and Black Sheep. He later appeared in sitcoms like Just Shoot Me!, Rules of Engagement, and The Mayor. He also hosted his own talk show called Lights Out with David Spade on Comedy Central.
David Spade became Kate Spade’s brother-in-law when she married Andy Spade in 1994. He supported her business endeavors by wearing her products and promoting them on his shows. He also attended several events with her and Andy, such as the American Fashion Awards and the Photographer’s Gallery Presents Slim Aarons Curated by Kate.
How Kate Spade and David Spade Mourned Each Other’s Losses
Kate Spade and David Spade faced several tragedies in their lives that brought them closer together. In 1997, David Spade’s friend and co-star Chris Farley died of a drug overdose at the age of 33. Kate Spade was one of the people who comforted him during his grief. She attended Farley’s funeral with him and Andy, and helped him cope with the loss.
In 2018, Kate Spade died by suicide at her Manhattan apartment at the age of 55. She left behind a note addressed to her daughter Frances Beatrix (Bea), telling her that she loved her and that it was not her fault. Her death shocked the world and devastated her family and friends.
David Spade was one of the first people to pay tribute to her on social media. He posted a blurry picture of them during a Christmas family photo shoot on Instagram, with the caption: “Fuzzy picture but i love it. Kate and I during Christmas family photos. We had so much fun that day. She was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard. I still cant believe it. Its a rough world out there people, try to hang on.”
He also shared another picture of them at his book signing on Twitter, with the caption: “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.”
He also donated $100,000 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a nonprofit organization that provides support and education for people with mental health conditions and their families.
A year after Kate’s death, David Spade opened up about his sister-in-law in an interview with The New York Times. He said: “Katy was so funny. I don’t know if agoraphobic is the word, but she didn’t like to mingle a lot; she’d have people at her house and she was always so funny. I feel like Katy wouldn’t have done it, five minutes later. But these things happen and there’s no going back.”
He also said that he still thinks about her every day, and that he tries to honor her memory by being kind to others. He said: “She was so nice. I’ll start bawling. I just remember every time we’d meet at Christmas and Thanksgiving, she was so funny. I wish we could laugh about it now.”
Conclusion
Kate Spade and David Spade were related by marriage, but they also shared a bond of friendship, humor, and mutual respect. They supported each other in their careers and personal lives, and they mourned each other’s losses with love and compassion. They were both talented and successful in their fields, but they also faced challenges and struggles that they tried to overcome.
Their story reminds us of the importance of mental health awareness and prevention, as well as the value of family and friends. They also inspire us to pursue our passions and dreams, and to bring joy and beauty to the world..
