January 30, 2019
Actress Rachel Brosnahan is honoring her late aunt, Kate Spade, in the new ad campaign for Spade's company, Frances Valentine. The new line called, “Love, Katy” pays tribute to the designer's creative vision and vintage style.
The "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" star, along with Frances Valentine CEO and long-time friend to Spade Elyce Arons, announced the line and her involvement on NBC's Today Show Wednesday morning. Being a part of the new campaign, she says, “just felt like the most natural thing."
The new collection, designed by Arons, is inspired by family, as Brosnahan notes that Spade was always influenced by her mother (and Brosnahan’s grandmother) June. “It’s really lovely to see those special pieces of our family be reflected in this collection and the ones before."
"This was an opportunity for us to celebrate her life and her legacy and how much she meant, not only to us, but to so many other people and the impact she's had on the fashion industry." Brosnahan said. "It was a really special experience and the collection is just beautiful."
Spade launched Frances Valentine in 2016, named in honor of her daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade. The designer and her husband, Andy Spade (brother of actor David Spade) sold their share of Kate Spade in 2006 for more than $60 million.
Spade was found dead at 55 in her Manhattan apartment in June 2018. Her death was ruled as a suicide.
For those struggling with depression, Brosnahan had some words of encouragement. "Life is hard. There are so many of us who have experienced the high highs and the low lows that life can contain," she said. "I know that it can be so difficult to reach up out of the darkness, but you are absolutely never alone, and please do reach out."
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