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Famous Handbag Designer Kate Spade

Kate Spade, now known as Kate valentine, brings a Midwest sensibility to her fashion designs


For regulars of Kansas City, St. Teresa’s academy is a well-known site – located on Main Street, the school is familiar to those who frequent Loose Park. It is one of the oldest schools in Kansas City and was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the very same that founded Avila. However, what some people may not know is that the school was once home to world-famous designer Kate Spade. Formerly known as Kate Brosnahan and currently going by the name Kate Valentine (a homage to her newest accessory line), Kate graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy and later attended the University of Kansas. Although Kate launched her brand from New York, she’s retained a presence in the city. A Kate Spade store has been on the Plaza since 2011 and Kate herself used to frequently hold parties at Halls to raise money for the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City.


Kate Spade is an excellent example of someone who succeeded from right in our very own backyard. Often, it is difficult to understand how celebrities can rise from obscurity to become known around the world. But, Kate went to the same school that many of us know and that some Avila students may have even attended themselves. She even went to college locally. There are people from our community who are going on to do amazing things, even growing to build their own fashion empires. Although certainly Kate Spade invested a great deal of effort and determination, and perhaps was granted just a bit of luck, it sets an example for all of us. Maybe an Avila student might one day rise to be the world’s next great designer.



Kate Valentine, who formerly was known as Kate Spade, founded the billion dollar fashion empire Kate Spade New York. 



 St. Teresa’s Academy, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, was once attended by fashion designer Kate Spade, who went by Kate Brosnahan at the time. 



The Kate Spade store has been a fixture of the Country Club Plaza for many years.


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