-
Kate Spade sets out to design a fuctional handbag with style
Former accessories manager, Kate Spade, envisioned a colorful handbag with a twist, and immedietly set out to design the first Kate Spade hand bag. -
Kate and her husband invest 35,000 dollars to the start of the company
-
The first Kate Spade store opened in NYC, targeting women in business
Spade opened its first 400 square-foot boutique in Manhattan. -
Kate and partners sold the brand to Neiman Marcus for $33.6 million to acquire a 56 percent interest
-
Kate Spade licensed raincaots in an effort to expand the target market
Kate Spade and her partners looked at expanding their products past handbags for the first time. -
Spade and partners signed a licensing deal for more upscale eyewear, frames, and sunglasses.
The success of the eyewear cause an expanded market for Kate Spade and company. -
The company opens its fifth store
Locations include New York, Boston, and Beverly Hills, with Kate Spade Paper and Jack Spade stores in Manhattan -
Kate Spade signed a distribution deal with a Hong Kong company to build 15 stores in the Asian market
The Asian Kate Spade line was a twist off the American line, adding Asain culture with different materials. -
Kate Spade goes global
Opening of first store in Tokyo -
Liz Claiborne Inc. (now called Fifth & Pacific Inc.) bought the company
