Kate Spade Dies of Apparent Suicide: Leaves Behind Legacy

Designer and mogul Kate Spade died in her New York City apartment on Tuesday morning of what is being reported as a suicide by hanging.

According to the Associated Press, the housekeeping staff found the 55-year-old unresponsive at her Park Avenue home. After police arrived, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Further details have yet to be released.

Police: Kate Valentine Spade found dead

Born Katherine Brosnahan in Kansas City, Missouri - she began her career in fashion journalism, working at Mademoiselle in the 1980s. In 1993, she founded Kate Spade Handbags alongside her soon-to-be husband Andy Spade. She sold the company in 2005 after her daughter Frances was born. Just over a decade later, she launched a new accessories company together with her husband named after daughter called Frances Valentine.

Last May, Coach, now known as Tapestry Inc, acquired Kate Spade New York for 2.4 billion dollars - leading sources at Forbes to note Spade would not receive any of the profits from the deal.

Spade made a long-lasting impact on the fashion world with her colorful, trendsetting collections. Her looks were largely notable for being loved by women across an array of professions and ages. Her pieces appealed to everyday women and proved to be more accessible than luxury brands. She was one of the first women in the industry to craft her own lifestyle empire - including jewelry and home good designs.

Her namesake brand, Kate Spade New York, currently has 140 stores in the U.S. and over 175 globally.

Photo: Spencer Platt / Getty images North America / AFP