I never bought anything by Kate Spade.
While I adored her quirky personal style, I’ve always been a minimalist dresser. Plus, I didn’t have the funds to buy her wares. She was especially popular during my mistake marriage, when I barely had the money to keep a roof over my head, let alone buy nice things.
I’ve thought about her a lot in the past twenty-four hours, though. I modeled my own “succeed by grit and determination” business model after hers. For more than two decades, I’ve followed her career and celebrated every time she reached a new milestone, because she showed me what was possible if only I put my work out there.
Life presses us in haphazard folds, doesn’t it?
Smushing and squashing, twisting and shaving, it sometimes feels like we’re nothing but a helpless sheet of origami paper against the onslaught. Despite her glorious success, Kate Spade certainly felt that way.
I understand her struggle. It is maddening to create, a schizophrenic roller coaster of vertiginous highs and hellish lows, sometimes occurring on the same day. Today, I mourn the loss of one of the world’s inimitable creators, because she filled the world with quirk and color with bigger balls than I’ll ever have.
Yesterday, I sat down and made this video in her honor.
Because everyone needs hope, I crafted a symbol of hope. For you. For someone you love who may be struggling with darkness. Enjoy.
6 Comments
There but for the grace…
I know. We all swing over the abyss of despair from time to time. I hope I never decide to cut the cord and go into free fall.
And I completely understand her struggle. That’s what makes this death so hard for me. It’s hard to be a *vulnerable* *strong* woman, especially when you’ve been conditioned to suppress weakness. I sent someone one of the most vulnerable things I’ve ever written recently, and yet again, I was rebuffed.
So I get why she hid her mental illness. People are so harsh and judgmental and lacking in empathy today. It isn’t easy to find those shining lights.
An amazing lot of work on that little bit of paper, but the result is worth it!
I agree! They’re happy little bits of hope.
Cool!!! Until just recently, I had no real clue about who Kate Spade was other than a name at the outlet mall that I never visit. Lisa showed me a purse that she wanted but was unwilling to buy because of the cost. I went back when she was on vacation and bought it for her Birthday later this year (it’s safe, she barely reads my blog). It is sad to see someone be overcome by their mental health problems and not reach out to those who love them and want to help.
It sounds like she reached out and was trying to get help, but gave up in a moment of darkness. At any other moment, she might not have done it, but in those few seconds, she did.
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