Photograph courtesy of Kate Spade
Plaza Frontenac plans to accessorize this month with an impressive new addition: Kate Spade. The stylish label, recognized for its chic and fanciful designs, started as a little handbag line but has blossomed into a hugely successful brand.
After the founder and namesake resigned in 2007, Deborah Lloyd landed the coveted job as Kate Spade’s co-president and creative director. SLM recently chatted with Lloyd about the brand, her inspiration, and what St. Louisans should expect from Missouri’s first Kate Spade boutique.
How would you define the Kate Spade woman? She is a young, professional city girl who loves art and entertainment. When it comes to getting dressed, she doesn’t save the best for a special occasion—she celebrates every day. She has an edge, but still hand-writes her thank-you notes. She is a downtown girl with an uptown sensibility and is highly in tune with style—the kind of girl who would wallpaper her rental apartment.
Where do you find your inspiration? Everywhere. Vintage stores, flea markets—my husband says I can’t pass a yard sale without stopping in—costumes from old films, art books. I garden and always find inspiration in the colors of flowers. When traveling, whether it is London, Paris, a beach in the Caribbean, or spending time in upstate New York, I start to relax, and my creative mind goes on overtime.
You’ve been credited with revamping Burberry. With your new post at Kate Spade, do you find you’re reinventing the brand? I see it more as an evolution, not a revolution… I’m connecting the dots of what was already there and adding personality.
Why did the brand choose St. Louis for its first store in the state, and what can readers expect? Women in St. Louis represent the brand in a great way. We feel the women have a graciousness about them, while still being a little rebellious and whimsical. As far as what to expect in the store, we’ve added legwear, jewelry, and in August we’ll have the first full fashion collection debut at the Plaza Frontenac location.
Wardrobe Essentials
Kate Spade’s Deborah Lloyd shares five pieces every woman should own.
- Crisp white shirt: It works for casual or can be dressed up with great jewelry.
- Evening bag: Be sure it has a touch of whimsy.
- Carry-all-day bag: Slouchy and roomy, a bag that you can put everything in and still run around town.
- Statement jewelry: An incredible piece, like a cocktail ring or bold necklace.
- Cocktail dress: Something for those last-minute parties.
