The Kate Spade Brand Is Donating $1 Million to Suicide Prevention

Updated June 20: In the wake of its founder's death, the Kate Spade New York brand is making a $1 million charitable donation to suicide prevention and mental health organizations, WWD reports. To start, $250,000 will be donated to the Crisis Text Line, a free, 24/7 text service to support people in the midst of a crisis.

"Additionally, the brand will match public donations made to the Crisis Text line starting June 20 through June 29, up to the amount of $100,000," WWD reports. On the campaign's website, you can see exactly how your donation will be used to help the organization, which has raised $22,000 as of this writing. 

Originally published June 5, 2018: Designer Kate Spade has died in an apparent suicide at the age of 55, per AP News. Kate and her husband, Andy Spade, launched her iconic brand in 1993, and many of her bags went on to achieve cult status. She parted ways with her namesake brand in 2007 and went on to create a new brand called Frances Valentine.

The New York Times aptly describes her career: "Kate Spade, one of the first of a powerful wave of female American contemporary designers in the 1990s, built a brand on the appeal of clothes and accessories that made women smile," the newspaper wrote. "Her cheerful non-restraint struck a chord with consumers, as did her bright prints." Scroll down to take a look back at her life and career.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or struggling with depression or anxiety, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.