15 Stars Who Spoke Out About Kate Spade's Passing
When we learned of Kate Spade's passing, silence took over. We couldn't even process what was happening, let alone write about it, as we are legit super fans of the now-deceased designer and her body of work. We were at a loss for words. But fortunately, many celebrities found their voice and the words and spoke out over social media about just how upsetting the news was to them.
We were humbled to learn that not only young and style-focused women of Hollywood shared their words of loss, but also much older women and even some male celebs. Although the loss of the beloved fashion guru was felt by many, celebs also took the opportunity to speak of other issues surrounding her passing, like depression and the stigmas surrounding this crushing mental illness.
Kate Spade's passing may have impacted many people, but it is the millions of fans that also feel the pain that helps highlight the beauty and warmth that Kate and her brand brought to the world. Kate's success is admirable and just proves that everyone can suffer in silence, a fact that many celebs chose to address as they posted publicly about the unexpected news.
15 Brother-In-Law, David Spade, Has Warm Memories Of Kate
Not many people knew of the relationship between fashion icon, Kate, and comedian David Spade. The two were basically siblings, with Kate marrying David's brother Andy, making the two celebs brother and sister-in-law.
Andy and Kate were the two that pioneered the Kate Spade design and company.
They eventually sold the brand in 2006 to Neiman Marcus and fully stepped away from it, finalizing their involvement in the brand they build from their small New York City apartment.
The two decided to put family first, including their daughter and Andy's brother David. David had a very positive relationship with Kate and he has tweeted and posted to Instagram memories and photos about his loss, with him stating, "She could make me laugh so hard. I still can't believe it" and "I don't think everyone knew how [… ] funny she was."
14 Mindy Kaling Regularly Repped Kate Spade On TV
If you follow Mindy Kaling and watch her IRL and on TV, you'd probably recognize a few Kate Spade designs on the actress. Mindy was a true Kate Spade fan and talked warmly of Kate and what she represented: "Her clothes always were so sparkly and twinkly and represented this really specific kind of wish fulfillment of New York City life."
According to Variety, Mindy also said in an interview, "One of the things that was amazing about Kate Spade is that she brought fashion to people who could not necessarily afford haute couture."
Mindy's costume designer, Salvador Perez, on The Mindy Project often relied on Kate Spade to put together Mindy's signature bright, fun, and bold signature style. While not every piece she wore was from the brand, Salvador would often mix and match the wardrobe, taking inspiration from the brand. Even off the show, Mindy would often wear her clothes.
13 Reese Witherspoon's Sweet Fashion Sense Paired Perfectly With Kate's Designs
Following the brand's sweet and youthful presence, it makes sense that America's sweetheart, Reese Witherspoon, would be drawn to the designs of Kate Spade.
Reese has often worn the adorable tops and dresses put forth from various Kate Spade collections, usually, while she's running errands or out and about in Hollywood. Reese isn't upset over the lack of availability of the styles, but of the person she'll deeply miss.
She tweeted out a thoughtful message to show her support for those directly impacted by the passing of a fashion icon. Reese honored the family members with prayer and even commented on Kate's bright personality.
12 Lena Dunham Lived It Up In NYC, Thankful For The Trends Kate Brought To The City
Cute and spunky, Lena Dunham is also a regular wearer of Kate Spade designs. Lena usually opts for a punch of color and pattern when she chooses a frock with the simplified label, either wearing it for her own pleasure or rocking it on set.
A New York native, Lena is very close to where the brand came to be, making Lena attached to Kate Spade in a whole other way.
Lena has worn the flirty frocks of Kate Spade in episodes of HBO's Girls, but also in selfies on Instagram, captioning the image on the right with, "So @white_lightning turned me on to Kate Spade Saturday. It's cute, fairly cheap and now my dress will match my shoes forevermore." In Lena's tweet, she also mentioned what lies at the core of Kate Spade's brand: the ability to make women feel beautiful.
11 Gigi Hadid Speaks Of Compassion As She Pays Tribute To Another Lost Celebrity
Gigi Hadid is not often caught wearing Kate Spade designs, although she does seem like someone who would enjoy the bright and fearless colors used by the brand.
Being a model, Gigi is usually wearing high-end labels, like Versace and Fendi, but it doesn't mean that she's not tuned into her fashion community.
Being a model, she's very familiar with stylish brands, which is exactly why she paid tribute to Kate Spade, her brand, and her family in a very loving tweet. She not only shared her loss for Kate, but also for another lost celeb, Anthony Bourdain. Her message was simple, and that was to have compassion for others, but also for yourself - an ability so many people lack in themselves.
10 Lucy Hale Is A True Fan And Advocate For Kate Spade & Her Brand
One of the many celebs to attend the events of Kate Spade New York, Lucy Hale is a true advocate of the brand and the person. According to E News, she has spoken out about the unique and girly designs and have said of the style, "Kate Spade helps me embrace my feminine side, I would say. I'm typically not a girl that wears a lot of color."
Lucy has said that she loves that she can make Kate Spade work for her, by striking a balance between girly and edgy.
But after Kate Spade's passing, Lucy took to Twitter to share her heartbroken sympathies and communicate her wish that Kate has found happiness and peace.
9 Kathy Griffin Wore Kate Spade Designs To Pay Tribute To The Late Designer
Kathy Griffin decided to pair the image above with a Twitter post that acknowledged her head-to-toe Kate Spade ensemble as a tribute to the businesswoman. Kathy's unique message discussed Kate's most admirable accomplishment, which was not necessarily her brand, but her success as a woman in the business world.
Building up a brand from nothing, Kate created a magical energy around fashion, which was recognized by leaders in the fashion community. Kathy is one of the many women who was made to feel beautiful, wonderful, and powerful by pairing their own personalities with the memorable styles of the beloved designer.
8 Chelsea Clinton's Memories Will Always Hold A Place For Kate
Chelsea Clinton chose to share a fond memory of how Kate Spade has specifically impacted her life, reminiscing over her very first Kate Spade item. Her grandmother gifted her with an iconic handbag and to this day, Chelsea still owns the bag.
This tweet is special not only because Chelsea chose to share her unique experience with the brand, but it shows us just how timeless Kate Spade designs are.
They are not only chic, but they are always in style and don't necessarily follow the trends. While Chelsea didn't share what type of bag she still holds in her closet, we're sure we'll see it out in public again if we pay close attention.
7 Olivia Munn Looks Back On Her Past To Pay Tribute To This Classic Designer
Olivia Munn shared a very sweet memory about her first designer bag, just like Chelsea Clinton did. But it wasn't just her first Kate Spade bag, it was her first EVER designer bag. That unique feeling of owning a designer item is unlike anything, and only those who truly appreciate fashion will experience.
Olivia was one to share in that emotion, but she is also familiar with another emotion that directly impacted Kate Spade - depression. In addition to the tweet that honoured Kate, Olivia also posted a long caption to her Instagram, recalling a time when she was deeply depressed and contemplated the same thoughts that Kate had. The image was of international numbers that people can call to seek help, but her message came from a place that spoke of the suffering she knew and how she overcame it.
6 Bryce Dallas Howard Was Kate Spade's First Celebrity Model
Seven years ago, Bryce Dallas Howard was the first celebrity to ever be chosen to promote the Kate Spade brand. In recent years, other celebrities, including Anna Kendrick, were hand-picked for their adorable and quirky personalities to endorse the fashion empire with ads and web series.
But Bryce was the first, and even though she never met Kate, her experience with the brand is one that not many women can experience.
She was able to model many of the recognizable styles created by the brand, stating that the brand inspired and influenced her. Her Instagram caption included warm regards for the Kate Spade empire and noted just how much of an impact she had on young women, making them feel powerful, beautiful, playful, and sophisticated all at the same time!
5 Janelle Monáe Lives For Kate's Signature B&W Style
Always polished Janelle Monáe is a regular shopper at Kate Spade, choosing to opt for the classic black and white designs that are common to the brand.
Choosing patterns like stripes and polka dots or zero prints, Janelle keeps it refined by choosing the bold yet flirty monochromatic looks of the late designer.
Janelle has often chosen to rock Kate Spade on the red carpet, during televised interviews, and even casually, wearing everything from dresses to a large polka dot faux fur coat for traveling. For Janelle, her tweeted message and tribute to the designed was simple and humble, much like Janelle's elegant and understated style.
4 Josh Groban Knows That Kate's Passing Was Not Without A Message
Josh Groban is obviously not in the Kate Spade demographic, as the designs are meant for fashionable women, but Josh still understands the impact that her passing has left on the world. In addition to acknowledging the loss of her family, Josh also took a moment to speak of the major issue surrounding Kate's passing, and that was her long struggle with depression.
Josh reminded his audience of the fact that depression can happen to anyone, even those who seemingly have everything. It can also happen when you least expect it. Josh addresses mental health with his heartfelt message but also shows us that even men who are not part of the women's fashion community can feel a sense of loss for Kate.
3 Bette Midler Cares Deeply For What Kate Created & What She Left Behind
In perhaps one of the most unexpected but delightful messages posted online by a celebrity, Bette Midler spoke up to discuss the passing of the hugely appreciated designer. Bette's tweet was full of emotion and spoke of one truth that few have realized - the pure joy that Kate Spade's brand has brought to millions of fans, including yours truly!
It's not known if Bette was a regular Kate Spade wearer, as Bette has a unique style that's all her own.
But even if Bette never was a customer of Kate's, it doesn't mean that Bette doesn't feel compassion and loss in her own way. This kind and sensitive message truly spoke from the heart, and she made sure that her personal audience knew just how tragic and shocking the loss was to the world and the fashion community.
2 Bryan Cranston Reminds His Audience That Mental Illness Affects EVERYONE
In a tweet that honored both Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, Bryan Cranston discussed the stats surrounding the cause of passing by both of the treasured celebs. He was shocked by the numbers put forth by the ASFP, as well as upset over the news.
According to Yahoo, he wrapped up his message to say that "success is not immune to depression" and "we all need to be more aware of our friends who are suffering." This last part is what really hits home. Even with the proximity of friends and family, people choose to suffer from depression alone, which is not only isolating but prevents them from seeking proper help. Bryan reminds us that simply being aware can prevent cases like this from happening.
1 Mia Farrow Is A Wonderful Storyteller, Dictating How Kate Impacted The World
When it comes to Mia Farrow, she let her words speak for themselves. In a message that was contained in a twitpic, Mia exceeded her 280 character limit to share her genuine thoughts on depression and the stigma surrounding the mental illness.
Her tweet mentioned how some people would view the tragic loss as a "selfish" decision, but her opinion on that is that it's difficult for others to understand something so tragic and for them to cast blame.
She continues to say that the actions of Kate Spade is more like, "an escape rather than an ending." and how those who suffer tend to involuntarily disconnect from other humans. Mia's tweet helps her audience make sense of the devastation of losing their beloved designer.
References: ca.HelloMagazine.com, CNN.com, PageSix.com, wgntv.com, ABCnews.go.com, Stylist.co.uk, Makers.com, Spott.tv, ETCanada.com, EOnline.com, HelloGiggles.com