Kate Brosnahan Spade came up with the idea after unsuccessfully trying to find a stylish yet functional handbag for herself. Having worked with accessories before, Kate Spade decided to try her hand at designing handbags, and opened her first shop in New York City in 1993. Her innovations garnered her several awards from various organizations in the industry. Due to this success, Kate Spade New York has since expanded its operations to include accessories, perfumes, stationery, shoes, beauty products, eyewear, china, wallpaper, beddings, tabletop, jewelry, baby items and of course, handbags. Kate Spade has become a true example of the twenty-first century American drive to reach for the top.