Kate Spade New York says it will donate US$1 million to suicide prevention programs, the company announced Wednesday on its Twitter page.
The news follows the death of the company’s founder Kate Spade, who died by suicide earlier this month at the age of 55.
“Kate Spade was a true fashion icon who brought joy to the lives of women around the world, and inspired women to live life to the fullest,” said Anna Bakst, CEO of Kate Spade New York, in a statement to ABC News. “We are dedicated to carrying on her legacy.”
The first donation is to the Crisis Text Line, a place where texters who are in crisis can seek help. According to the website, if you donate by June 29, the Kate Spade New York Foundation will double the donations with a matching grant of up to US$100,000.
READ MORE: David Spade on losing sister-in-law Kate Spade: ‘It’s a rough world out there’
So far, 148 donors have raised over US$7,900 as of Wednesday morning.
“The outpouring of love on social media and in our shops from customers of all ages has been overwhelming and moving,” Bakst says. “It is such a beautiful reflection of how much Kate was loved.”
Spade was found dead on June 5 in her Park Avenue apartment in New York City by a housekeeper. She was known for her line of handbags starting in the 1990s, and has since grown her company to include over 140 retail shops and outlet stores across the U.S., and more than 175 shops internationally.
The company was eventually bought by luxury fashion brand Coach in 2017 for US$2.4 billion.
She was married to Andy Spade, brother of actor David Spade, who also donated US$100,000 to mental health support last week in honour of the late designer.
— With files from Chris Jancelewicz
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