It’s an interesting moment for Kate Spade as a brand. The company’s iconic founder passed away tragically earlier this year, which sparked a wave of nostalgia for her beloved contributions to the fashion industry. Spade herself hadn’t been involved in Kate Spade the brand for years, though—creative director Deborah Lloyd spent ten years leading the brand, which ended in 2017. Her successor, Nicola Glass, debuted her first collection—Kate Spade Spring 2019—over the weekend at New York Fashion Week.
The occasion was marked by Kate Spade’s first-ever formal runway show, and naturally, all of the models were carrying at least one bag (and many of them sported more than one). Glass has a serious pedigree in accessories, with stints at Gucci under Tom Ford and as the head of Michael Kors’s accessories division, and she proved a natural fit with Kate Spade’s exuberant, slightly irreverent femininity.
The collection’s signature accessory was a modest flap crossbody bag with a spade-shaped closure that we’ll probably be seeing pop up in other designs, but for me, the real star was a series of roomy, simple day bags woven of spade-shaped leather. It was a subtle bit of branding, and the Instagram-ready bags felt modern and relevant, but with just the right touch of vintage whimsy. Check out all the bags from the collection below.
[Photos via Vogue Runway]
I like the black and the white “buckets” with “holes” in them! Very cute!
Totally enamored with the spade enclosure, a welcoming change, at least from my part, from the printed name. The woven leather totes are perfect for the summer but not liking the fabric totes, they sort of remind me of the hideous Balenciaga shopper totes. By the look of the dresses it looks like there was a groovy 60s vibe going on.
The spade enclosure and weave are clever and charming, very Kate Spade. Hard pass on the fabric bags but looking forward to Glass’s tenure.
Loving the leather bags – looking a little more polished and less pedestrian. Intrigued.
I like the clothing more than the bags.
I really appreciate the new bags! I particularly love the open weave bag … I would definitely buy that one!
The woven leather bags are beautiful and opulent. I like them better than Alaia laser-cut totes, which are kind of similar.