Kate Spade: Ivanka Trump, others react to designer's tragic death

Fashion icon Kate Spade was found dead in her New York City apartment after an apparent suicide. The 55-year-old is survived by her husband Andy and their 13-year-old daughter Frances Beatrix.

Condolences from business leaders and fashion designers poured in after Kate Spade was found dead from an apparent suicide Tuesday.

Spade, known for a popular line of handbags, sold a controlling stake in her namesake company to Neiman Marcus in 1999. The department store later sold it to Liz Claiborne, which changed its name to Kate Spade & Co. Tapestry, the parent company of Coach, purchased the business last year.

Spade, 55, was back in the fashion business creating handbags and shoes under a new brand, Frances Valentine.

Fellow designers and industry executives reacted to the news of Spade’s death.

Ivanka Trump, a fashion designer and daughter of President Donald Trump, posted the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, adding that “Kate Spade’s tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another’s pain or the burden they carry.”

Here are more reactions from companies and business leaders:

“We at Kate Spade New York just learned of the incredibly sad news that Kate Spade has passed,” Tapestry said in a statement. “Although Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand. Kate will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time.”