Quick Facts: Kate Spade New York
| Current Owner | Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE: TPR) |
| Ownership Type | Public parent company |
| Acquired | 2017, for $2.4 billion |
| Acquired By | Coach, Inc. (renamed Tapestry in 2017) |
| Tapestry CEO | Joanne Crevoiserat |
| Sibling Brands | Coach, Stuart Weitzman |
| Original Founding | 1993, by Kate & Andy Spade |
Who Owns Kate Spade New York?
Kate Spade New York is owned by Tapestry, Inc., the New York-based fashion holding company that also owns Coach and Stuart Weitzman.
Coach, Inc. bought the brand in 2017 for $2.4 billion, then renamed itself Tapestry to reflect its growing multi-brand portfolio — Kate Spade became one of three “houses” under that umbrella rather than a standalone public company.
Tapestry is run by CEO Joanne Crevoiserat, who oversees strategy across all three brands from the parent company level, while Kate Spade maintains its own creative and design leadership underneath that structure.
As of 2026, Kate Spade has been the softer performer of Tapestry’s three brands, with the company periodically discussing repositioning or turnaround efforts to get the brand growing again relative to Coach’s stronger momentum.
Kate Spade Ownership History
The brand’s original founders left years before the Tapestry acquisition, and ownership has shifted between corporate parents more than once.
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Brand founded | Kate & Andy Spade | Started with handbags in NYC |
| 1999 | Neiman Marcus Group buys majority stake | Neiman Marcus Group | Founders retain minority stake |
| 2006 | Liz Claiborne acquires full brand | Liz Claiborne Inc. | Founders fully exit |
| 2007 | Renamed Kate Spade & Company | Liz Claiborne Inc. (later Fifth & Pacific) | Became standalone public company by 2014 |
| 2017–Present | Bought by Coach for $2.4 billion | Tapestry, Inc. | Coach renames itself Tapestry post-deal |
About Tapestry, Inc.
Tapestry was created when Coach, Inc. rebranded itself in 2017 after acquiring Kate Spade, building a “house of brands” strategy similar to luxury conglomerates like LVMH, just at a more accessible price point.
Coach remains Tapestry’s flagship and strongest-performing brand, with Stuart Weitzman (acquired by Coach back in 2015) rounding out the footwear side of the portfolio.
Joanne Crevoiserat has led Tapestry as CEO since 2020, steering the company through a since-abandoned attempt to acquire rival Capri Holdings (owner of Michael Kors and Versace) that was blocked on antitrust grounds in 2024.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Kate Spade’s founders left long before the current ownership: Kate and Andy Spade sold their remaining stake and departed years before Coach’s 2017 purchase.
- The brand briefly traded as its own public company: under the Fifth & Pacific name, Kate Spade & Company was independently listed before Coach’s acquisition folded it into Tapestry.
- Coach literally renamed itself around this deal: the parent company became “Tapestry, Inc.” specifically to reflect its new multi-brand identity after buying Kate Spade.
- Kate Spade is the softer performer in Tapestry’s three-brand portfolio: Coach has significantly outpaced it in recent growth, prompting ongoing brand-repositioning discussion.
- A major industry consolidation attempt failed: Tapestry’s proposed acquisition of Capri Holdings (Michael Kors, Versace) was blocked on antitrust grounds in 2024, keeping the two fashion groups separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Kate Spade New York?
Tapestry, Inc., which acquired the brand in 2017 for $2.4 billion when it was still operating as Coach, Inc.
Are Kate Spade’s founders still involved with the brand?
No. Kate and Andy Spade sold their stake and exited years before the Tapestry acquisition.
What other brands does Tapestry own?
Coach and Stuart Weitzman, alongside Kate Spade New York.
Who is Tapestry’s CEO?
Joanne Crevoiserat, who has led the company since 2020.
Did Tapestry try to buy any other major fashion brands?
Yes — a proposed acquisition of Capri Holdings (Michael Kors, Versace) was blocked on antitrust grounds in 2024.
