Since its founding in 1993, Kate Spade New York has maintained its reputation as one of the world's and America's most iconic fashion brands. Known for its chic handbags and beloved by women, designer Kate Spade founded the brand with the goal of creating simple, practical handbags and wallets for the modern woman.
Kate Spade handbags and backpacks are frequently carried by celebrities and fashion elites, including big Hollywood stars like Taylor Swift and Gwyneth Paltrow.
As Kate Spade bags grew in popularity, counterfeit and fake products quickly flooded the market, from Manhattan's infamous Canal Street to numerous online sellers, with knockoffs found everywhere.
In February 2019, KXLY-TV reported that a driver was caught attempting to cross from the U.S. into Canada with counterfeit goods valued at approximately $32,000, including items from Kate Spade, Gucci, Michael Kors, and Chanel.
When asked about his intentions, the driver admitted he had planned to sell the fake designer bags in Canada.
Since counterfeit bags are increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic designs, if you decide to purchase from a second-hand consignment store or third-party seller, be sure to do some research beforehand.
Where to Buy Authentic Kate Spade Bags?
From classic styles to vibrant designs, Kate Spade handbags offer something for every lifestyle and personality.
If you've always wanted to own your own Kate Spade handbag or add another piece to your collection, the retailers listed below are your best bets for finding authentic Kate Spade bags:
To avoid discovering your Kate Spade bag is a fake or counterfeit, there are several ways to ensure you can buy an authentic Kate Spade bag.
1. Purchase from Reputable Platforms
The main way to avoid being scammed or buying a counterfeit bag is to purchase from well-known e-commerce platforms.
Kate Spade's official website is the best starting point for browsing their various bag styles, while department store giants like Saks Fifth Avenue offer a more curated selection of Kate Spade bags.
The same goes for online discount retailers like Nordstrom Rack and Saks OFF 5TH.
2. When in Doubt, Check the Tags
Kate Spade bags have two main tags: an embossed tag and a fabric tag. The embossed tag is mainly found on leather handbags, located on the front of the bag, usually under the handle or in the top center area.
On the other hand, Kate Spade's fabric tag is sewn directly onto the bag. A simple way to distinguish a counterfeit bag is to gently pull on both sides of the fabric tag to see if it comes off or if the sides are loose.
Most fake fabric tags are glued or sewn onto the original Kate Spade fabric tag.
Leather bags will never have a fabric tag, only an embossed tag, usually in gold lettering, while most nylon bags typically have the logo embossed on a rectangular patch on the front of the bag.
3. Check the Font and Text on the Tag
The authentic Kate Spade font should always appear in lowercase letters and maintain even spacing.
All Kate Spade handbags use only one font style, making this one of the fastest ways to tell if a bag is counterfeit.
Please note that since 2000, all bag tags will display the word "New York" in capital letters below "Kate Spade". The "T" in "Kate Spade" is always aligned with the "N" in "New York", and the "K" in "New York" should always be parallel to the "A" in "Spade".
If the bag belongs to a special collection, the collection name will be displayed below "Kate Spade".
4. Examine the Bag's Hardware
Most Kate Spade handbags do not have feet on the bottom. For bags that do have feet, they are usually small, typically round or flat, and can be found as four supporting corners on the bottom.
Remember, the shape of Kate Spade bag feet will not be triangular or conical. The rest of the bag's hardware should also be gold or silver and should never lose its shine or rust.
5. Check the Material and Stitching
While Kate Spade handbags use different materials, the most popular types include leather, nylon, canvas, and suede.
Upon inspection, you should be able to tell if the material meets Kate Spade's reputation for high-quality products.
The same goes for the stitching quality of the bag, which should be even and should not snag or loosen over time. The stitching is usually the same color as the handbag, but this depends on the bag's style.
6. Pay Attention to the Tags Included with the Bag
A brand new authentic Kate Spade handbag comes with a green retail tag that reads "Kate Spade New York". The retail card should state the bag style's name, the style number in lowercase letters, and a barcode.
Every Kate Spade handbag also comes with a care card, which includes instructions on how to properly care for the item.
Another important tag is the country of origin tag, which can usually be found in the interior slip pocket of the bag.
All Kate Spade handbags produced after 1996 should have a country of origin tag. Kate Spade bags are only produced in the following countries: USA, Italy, China, Taiwan, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Vietnam, Rwanda, and the Philippines.
7. If Still Unsure, Visit the Kate Spade Website
If you are still unsure about your bag, another method is to visit the official Kate Spade website and compare the bags there with yours.
The Kate Spade website also offers information on how to authenticate your bag, including a page for reporting counterfeit products.
About Kate Spade
Kate Spade Official Website: https://www.katespade.com/
Kate Spade
On June 5, 2018, Kate Spade was found dead in her apartment by her housekeeper. Her death was ruled a suicide by hanging, and she left a note for her daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade.
According to unconfirmed sources, Katherine Noel Valentine Brosnahan (Kate Spade) hanged herself using a scarf tied to a doorknob.
Why Did Kate Spade Commit Suicide?
Andy Spade, who co-founded the fashion brand Kate Spade New York with his wife, issued a statement saying her suicide was caused by a combination of depression and anxiety.
"Kate suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. She actively sought help and worked closely with doctors to treat her illness. ... There was no indication nor any warning that she would do this. It was a complete shock. And it clearly wasn't her. She was battling her own demons."
Prior to her death, the couple had been separated for ten months.
"Our daughter is our top priority," he said. "We were not legally separated and never even discussed divorce. We were best friends trying to work through our issues in the best way we knew how."
"We were together for 35 years. We loved each other very much and just needed a break."
"That's the truth," he added. "Anything else out there right now is fake."
Andy Spade, who has a net worth of $200 million, emphasized that his wife did not have a drinking or drug problem.
"I haven't seen any note left behind, and I am shocked that a private message to my daughter was shared so ruthlessly with the media," he said.
"My primary concern is Bea and protecting her privacy as she deals with the unimaginable grief of losing her mother. Kate loved Bea very much."
Who Owns Kate Spade?
Kate Spade was acquired by Coach, Inc. in 2017 for $2.4 billion. However, the original founders, Kate and Andy Spade, did not benefit from this sale. In 1999, they sold 56% of the company to Neiman Marcus for $34 million.
In 2006, the Neiman Marcus Group acquired the remaining 44% stake for $59.4 million. According to CNN, Kate and Andy Spade left the company in 2007.
Following the acquisition of Kate Spade, Coach, Inc. changed its name to Tapestry on October 31, 2017. In addition to Kate Spade and Coach, the American multinational luxury fashion holding company Tapestry, Inc. also owns Stuart Weitzman.