Make it in Design Remembers the Inspirational, Iconic, and Brilliant Kate Spade

Last week the Make it in Design team were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of talented designer and entrepreneur Kate Spade.

Kate was truly an inspiration, an icon, and a revolutionary. Her legacy is one of fashion, colour, creativity, innovation, ingenuity, and female empowerment. Her talents and artistry have enlightened and brightened the lives of people all over the world, and as more heartfelt tributes continue to pour out this week, the more evident Kate’s monumental impact becomes.

Media outlets and Kate’s close family members have confirmed that Kate tragically took her own life. In a statement for the New York Times, Kate’s husband Andy Spade shared on his family’s loss:

“Kate was the most beautiful woman in the world. She was the kindest person I’ve ever known and my best friend for 35 years. My daughter and I are devastated by her loss, and can’t even begin to fathom life without her. We are deeply heartbroken and miss her already.

Kate suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. She was actively seeking help and working closely with her doctors to treat her disease, one that takes far too many lives. We were in touch with her the night before and she sounded happy. There was no indication and no warning that she would do this. It was a complete shock. And it clearly wasn’t her. There were personal demons she was battling.”

Today, the Make it in Design team remember Kate Spade, her family and friends, and those closest to her during this heartbreaking time.

Image Via Instagram (katespadeny)

Mental Health Awareness + When To Seek Help

In the wake of Kate’s untimely death (shortly followed by the talented Anthony Bourdain), national conversations are focusing on mental health support and suicide prevention. As a team, we believe in the utter importance in encouraging necessary awareness on these topics and reaching out to those in need.

Upon hearing the circumstances of Kate’s death (and following on from work with mental health charities in March), our co-founder Rachael Taylor expressed her condolences for Kate and her family, offered encouraging words, and also shared on her own history with depression. Rachael’s hope in sharing the below is that those in need will reach out, know it will get better, and will not feel ashamed in talking about their own mental health:

Just heard the sad and devastating news about designer Kate Spade. Kate was such a talent and I’m truly heartbroken for her family.

This year I finally opened up to people about my own experience (at just 14 years old) and I even shared a few IG posts back in March as it had been exactly 20 years since.

A lot of people contacted me around my story and said it helped them. I was saved and I’m very lucky to be alive today. I really do try to live in the moment now as I was given another chance at life.

I used to feel so ashamed telling people but I don’t anymore, no one should ever feel ashamed about mental health issues. For anyone reading this who is feeling alone, trapped or suffering trust me when I say it can and will get better.

Please talk to someone, don’t bottle things up and feel you need to tackle things alone. If you can’t talk to friends / family please chat to one of the many amazing charities out there. No one ever knows what’s going on behind closed doors or in someone’s mind.

Be kind to everyone as you never what battle someone is facing. I’m finally sharing my story this year as I’m working with some charities to try to help others, but it took me 20 years to even feel brave enough to tell close friends.”

As Rachael mentions above, no one should feel ashamed of dealing with mental health issues. Mental health is as important and legitimate as physical health, and today we hope to encourage those in need to seek help. As a team we are grateful that Rachael’s posts have encouraged some individuals suffering with depression and anxiety to open up and share their own experiences.

Further, as Andy Spade shared in his heartfelt statement, it is not always apparent how deeply someone is suffering – there are many overwhelming facets of depression that can remain hidden from even close family and friends. Depression can evoke extreme feelings of apathy, hopelessness, guilt and shame, plus many other negative emotions which are not outwardly visible.

By opening up the discussion around mental health and by sharing on the support and resources available, we hope more will come forward for support when in need, and that we can help to prevent more tragic losses of life. If you are suffering, or know someone who is, reach out to one another – remember that are other ways out and that if you are feeling alone, depressed, anxious, or have thoughts of suicide, please seek help and know things can and will get better.

Open up to someone you trust, such as a doctor, family member or friend. There are also a number of charities and helplines that are standing by, ready to offer their support.