Kate Spade was a famous fashion designer who founded the eponymous brand Kate Spade New York in 1993 with her husband Andy Spade. She was known for her colorful and playful handbags, accessories, and clothing that appealed to women of all ages. She died by suicide in 2018 at the age of 55.
David Spade is a popular actor and comedian who starred in movies like Tommy Boy, Joe Dirt, and Grown Ups. He is also known for his roles on TV shows like Saturday Night Live, Just Shoot Me, and Rules of Engagement. He is currently hosting a late-night talk show called The Netflix Afterparty.
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.
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How Did Kate and Andy Spade Meet?
Kate and Andy Spade met in college at Arizona State University while working at Carter’s Men Shop, a men’s clothing store in Phoenix. They started dating in 1986 and moved to New York City together in 1988. They got married in 1994 and had one daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, in 2005.
How Did Kate and Andy Spade Start Their Fashion Brand?
Kate and Andy Spade started their fashion brand in 1993 with the help of their friend Elyce Arons. Kate, who had worked as an accessories editor at Mademoiselle magazine, wanted to create stylish and functional handbags that were different from the ones on the market. She designed six prototypes using paper and Scotch tape and found a manufacturer in Taiwan to produce them.
The first collection of Kate Spade handbags was launched in 1993 and sold at upscale boutiques like Barneys New York and Fred Segal. The brand soon expanded to include other products like shoes, jewelry, stationery, eyewear, fragrance, and home goods. The brand also opened its own stores across the US and internationally.
Kate and Andy Spade sold 56% of the brand to Neiman Marcus for $33.6 million in 1999. Liz Claiborne acquired the company in 2007, the same year Kate left her namesake brand. The luxury fashion company Coach announced it was purchasing the company for $2.4 billion in 2017.
How Was David Spade Involved in the Brand?
David Spade was not directly involved in the business side of the brand, but he supported his sister-in-law’s creative vision and often attended her fashion shows and events. He also appeared in some of the brand’s advertisements and catalogs, along with other celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Anna Wintour, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
David Spade also helped promote the brand by wearing its products on his TV shows and movies. For example, he wore a Kate Spade tie on Saturday Night Live in 1996 and a Kate Spade shirt on Just Shoot Me in 1998.
What Was David Spade’s Relationship with Kate Spade?
David Spade had a close relationship with Kate Spade, whom he described as “funny”, “sharp”, and “quick on her feet”. He said they had a lot of fun together during family gatherings and holidays. He also said he admired her talent and success as a designer.
David Spade was devastated by Kate Spade’s death and paid tribute to her on social media and on his talk show. He also donated $100,000 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in her honor.
According to sitename Heavy.com, David 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.”
He added: “I feel like Katy wouldn’t have done it, five minutes later. But these things happen and there’s no going back.”
Is David Spade Related to Any Other Celebrities?
David Spade is not only related to Kate Spade by marriage, but also to another famous actress by blood. Rachel Brosnahan, who stars as the titular character on the Amazon Prime series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, is David’s niece and Kate’s niece-in-law.
Rachel Brosnahan is the daughter of Carol Brosnahan (nee Stanton), who is David’s sister from his father’s side. Carol Brosnahan married Earl Brosnahan Jr., who is Kate’s father.
Rachel Brosnahan has said that she looked up to Kate as a role model and inspiration for her career. She also said that she inherited some of Kate’s clothes and accessories and wears them as a way of honoring her memory.
