Kate Spade
Tapestry · United States
Kate Spade New York is an American handbag and lifestyle brand launched in 1993 with six essential handbags and owned since 2017 by Tapestry, Inc., the parent of Coach. It is known for colourful, optimistic design across bags, ready to wear, jewellery and home.
| Founded | 1993, New York |
|---|---|
| Founders | Kate Spade, Andy Spade, Elyce Arons, Pamela Bell |
| Owner | Tapestry, Inc. (since 2017) |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Segment | Accessible luxury |
| Sister brand | Coach |
| Website | katespade.com |
What is Kate Spade?
Kate Spade New York (styled kate spade new york) is an American accessories and lifestyle brand known for bright colours, graphic prints and a playful tone. It sells handbags, ready to wear, jewellery, footwear, gifts and home décor and is the second largest brand of Tapestry, Inc.
History
The brand was founded by Kate Spade (born Katherine Brosnahan) and Andy Spade together with Elyce Arons and Pamela Bell, launching in January 1993 with six essential handbag shapes. The first shop opened in SoHo, New York, in 1996, and a men's line, Jack Spade, followed.
Ownership changed several times. Neiman Marcus Group bought a majority stake in 1999 and the remainder in 2006, then sold the business to Liz Claiborne the same year. Liz Claiborne later renamed itself Kate Spade & Company, and in July 2017 the company was acquired by Coach, Inc., which became Tapestry. Kate Spade, the founder, died in 2018; Tapestry then announced a donation for mental health awareness.
Products and positioning
The brand sits in the accessible luxury tier alongside its sister brand Coach. Handbags are the core category, extended over time into ready to wear, jewellery, shoes, fragrance, eyewear, stationery and home, including a home line launched in 2007 and a tabletop collaboration with Williams-Sonoma in 2017.
Business model and distribution
- Own stores: more than 180 stores worldwide, including over 47 outlet locations in the United States
- Wholesale: department stores such as Nordstrom, Macy's and Dillard's
- E-commerce: brand websites in key markets
- Licensing: categories such as fragrance, eyewear and home
Why it matters
Kate Spade was one of the defining American accessories brands of the 1990s and 2000s and is a central part of Tapestry's multi-brand model. Its recent performance has lagged behind Coach, making it one of the brands investors watch most closely for evidence that Tapestry can revitalise a second label.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Kate Spade?
Kate Spade New York has been owned by Tapestry, Inc. since July 2017, when Coach, Inc. acquired Kate Spade & Company. Tapestry also owns Coach.
Is Kate Spade a luxury brand?
Kate Spade is generally described as an accessible luxury brand. Its handbags and accessories are priced above mass market brands but well below European luxury houses, and it sells heavily through outlets and department stores.
