Who

Kate Spade is the handbag designer whose simple but elegant purses have spawned countless knockoffs.

Backstory

Katherine Noel Brosnahan attended a Catholic high school in her hometown of Kansas City and graduated from Arizona State University, before moving to New York in 1986 to take a job at Mademoiselle. The job didn't pay much—she started out making $14,500 a year—but editing the mag's accessories section gave Katy (as she was known then) an inside perspective on the handbag market. Seven years later, sensing a demand for stylish but practical purses, she launched her own line of nylon bags and the Kate Spade collection was born.

In 1996, Spade opened a flagship boutique at 59 Thompson Street, and that same year she took home a CFDA award. She quickly became one of the hottest handbag designers in the country and expanded the franchise with five more boutiques in the U.S. and Japan. In 1999 she unveiled a men's line, Jack Spade, designed by her husband Andy, and sold a controlling stake in the company to Neiman Marcus for $34 million. In 2006 Liz Claiborne acquired the entire company for $124 million. Although Kate remains on the board of the company she founded, she stepped down from day-to-day management in July 2007.

Of note

Once considered the ultimate in preppy chic, the brand lost some luster when it went mass and the boxy handbags were more likely to be spotted at the Paramus mall than on Park Avenue. It didn't help that the very basic designs were a dream come true for counterfeiters, who produced convincing copies by the ton, unloading them for $20 a piece on Canal Street. But Spade isn't likely to be bemoaning her mass-market appeal. It's allowed her to happily plaster her name on virtually every product under the sun, from eyewear to stationery to dishes. She even designed the flight attendants' uniforms for Song airlines several years ago, and limited edition strollers for Maclaren in 2002.

Personal

Her husband and business partner is Andy Spade, who was her boyfriend in college. They have a daughter named Bea and live in a Park Avenue apartment they purchased for $2.675 million in 1999. They spend weekends at their home in Southampton.

Family ties

Her brother-in-law is comedian David Spade, which explains why Kate's bags were often mentioned on Just Shoot Me, the inane sitcom that starred the diminutive blond performer.

True story

Spade is known as a tough boss: On September 12th, 2001, when the mayor told New Yorkers to stay home, Spade staffers were expected at their desks. When someone protested that the subway wasn't working, Spade supposedly retorted: "Are your legs working?"