Chip East/Reuters
Celebrities took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to mourn the loss of iconic designer Kate Spade, who built a fashion empire with her colorful handbags and preppy clothes. White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump wrote on Twitter that the designer’s “tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another’s pain or the burden they carry.” Another first daughter, Chelsea Clinton, wrote, “My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college. I still have it. Holding Kate’s family, friends and loved ones in my heart.” Girls star Lena Dunham called Spade “a staple of NYC who spread good will” and made “millions” feel beautiful. Fellow designer Kenneth Cole also paid tribute to Spade, who hanged herself in her Park Avenue apartment, according to police. “Kate Spade left an indelible mark on the fashion industry and her inspiring life and work will be missed. We lost a true visionary today. My heart goes out to her family and to all she has touched,” he wrote. In a statement, the Council of Fashion Designers of America said Spade was a “great talent who had an immeasurable impact on American fashion and the way the world viewed American accessories.” While the Spades have not been involved with the Kate Spade brand for over a decade, the company called the news “incredibly sad” and said Spade “will be dearly missed.”