Shoe of the Day: Kate Spade Sale

Loving these beautiful, arty heels and they are part of Kate Spade's 25% off all sale items going on now through June 1st!

Christa Kate Spade Heel on sale for $221 + additional 25% off and Free Shipping

Dress for Less: Flat Sandals

Pretty sandals for summer:

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An Interview with Kate Spade

Creative Fashion was very lucky to have the chance to interview Kate Spade, the fashion designer behind the chic handbags - Kate Spade brand.

♥ Young people aspiring to break into the fashion world as fashion designers usually start with going to fashion school. How has your start been different?

I think that my journey to fashion designing was different in a way that I did not go to fashion school. I arrived in New York in 1986 from Kansas City and was working as accessories editor for Mademoiselle Magazine. While working at Mademoiselle I noticed that the market lacked stylish and sensible handbags, so I decided to create my own.

♥ How exactly did you start designing your bags and how did you market them?

I started designing my handbags in my apartment and I had six samples made in satin-finished nylon. I displayed them at trade shows but they went unnoticed at first. Later I started getting orders from some of the leading stores Fred Segal, Bergdorf Goodman. I realized then that my bags were being noticed by the fashion world.

♥ What do you think made your bags famous and how are they different from other designers’ bags?

I created my bags from the notion of developing a well-edited line of fashionable, but not "trendy" handbags. By designing styles that will be as relevant tomorrow as they are today, my brand has established itself as a modern classic. The colors and material are modern and chic and the designs are very eye catching. The bags consistently maintain a high level of quality at a palatable price.

♥ Right now Kate Spade bags are being distributed around the world. But where did you first open your shop?

The first shop was opened in New York City’s Soho in 1996. Kate Spade then opened its doors in Boston in 1998. Boutiques were opened in Chicago, San Francisco, Greenwich, Connecticut and Manhasset, Long Island in 2000. And it’s true; Kate Spade bags are now available almost anywhere with 46 boutiques in the United States, 32 in Japan, 6 in Hong Kong, and 4 in the Philippines as well as 2 in Jakarta.

♥ No matter how high-end or how functional a product is, there would always be criticisms. In what aspect was Kate Spade ever criticized?

Well, at one point it was pointed out that Kate Spade bags were easy to fake. But now the immense selection would even take fake handbag makers ages to replicate.

♥ How important are handbags as accessory for women in your opinion?

I believe that accessories should bring color and texture to an every day wardrobe based on each individual's sense of style. a handbag is only one item to be worn with a complete outfit. Add a peony pink leather handbag to a charcoal gray suit, for instance, and the impact is chic with a touch of wit. In the same way that men wear ties to add personality to their clothing, so too should women wear their accessories.

Target Polka Dot Merona Dress Review

A few weeks ago, at Target, I spotted Merona's new spring collection of very Kate Spade-like designs and bold colors and patterns. Back at Target this past weekend, with more time - I tried on Caroline Shirt Dress.



I really liked it - it's comfy and cute, but it would definitely need to be hemmed (easy to get done). It went to my mid-shins. I think it'd be a bit younger looking if it went just above the knees.


The belt is attached at the side seems - so it is not removable. I would like it to have been, so you could swap it out with fun belts to switch things up. But I think you could still sport a belt if you wrap the dress belt around and tie in the back, as shown:


Looks cute just worn like that too, for a different look. With a $40 price tag, plus some hemming to be done, I still think this dress is worth it. I haven't gotten it (yet?), but going to keep my eye on it!

Has anyone else tried this dress on? What do you all think? Worth it?

Kate Spade at Target??

Ok, well not really - but Merona's Spring Collection reminds me a lot of Kate Spades style!

Kate Spade is the queen of bright colors and yellow is one of those!
Madeline Crepe Top - Yellowbumbler
Reminds me a bit like Kate Spade's Radcliffe Yard Blouse.

Penelope Polka Dot Dress
Reminds me of Kate Spade's Madeleine Dot Ruffle Packet Dress

or the Madeleine Dot - Jillian Dress

Carolina Shirt Dress

Reminds me of Kate Spade's Amelia Island Cassie Shirt Dress

Check out some of the other cute Merona Pieces.

Kate Spade Jewelry on Sale

Hope you all had a great Christmas! Mine is still going! We were with my husband's side of the family in snowy Omaha over the actual holiday. We came home to snowy Kansas yesterday. Celebrated with some of my best friends last night and meeting up with my family today and this evening for our last round of holiday fun!

One of my gifts I received this season (so far): a darling set of Kate Spade earrings, the Bourgeois Gift Bow Stud Earrings:

Sold out a lot of places, but be able to find there here.

I love Kate Spade's jewelry this season - and at Nordy's some pieces are on sale! I'm loving...

Bow Earrings
Now $35.90

Crown Jewels Drop Earrings
Now $49.90

Clear Disco Stud Earrings

now $42.90

Clear Disco Large Pendant Necklace
Now $102.90

Mutli Disco Fever Ring
Now $82.90

Clear Disco Link Bracelet
Now $149.90

Outfit Inspirations: JCrew & Kate Spade

Lately, I've added Kate Spade to my list of outfit inspiration-go tos. I love how she always uses bright colors in her outfits.

Like this bright yellow, blue and stripe mix:
I don't have a yellow skirt (which, by the way - why? I need to find one), so I improvised with my stripped dress (instead of a shirt) and yellow cardi (instead of skirt):

H&M Striped Dress (similar)
Jcrew Yellow Cardi (cute chunkier cardi)
Banana Republic Black Boots (similar)
Target Blue Tights (similar)

My wintry-J.Crew inspiration. Mixing turquoise, light pink and grey:I went to my closet and recreated this look with my own duds:

Old Navy Cardigan (similar one from JCrew, similar one from Gap)
Light Pink/Bone Tank from J.Crew (this would be good, this one too)
Wool Skirt from Gap (wool Jcrew one - that I love, Old Navy grey cord skirt)

What has been inspiring you and what you wear lately??

Take A Bow...or Not?

Okay... Please don't judge me. I'm not sure if I like these Gift Bow accessories just yet. However, when I saw them, they made me go...hmmmm...that's interesting... It's a gift bow...the one that I don't like using on my gifts.
It's just my job to report the trends. What do you all think?

Maison Martin Margiela

Kate Spade

Kate Spade

Kate Spade

Kate Spade

Christian Louboutin

Kate Spade

Enid P. "Dare to Dream"