Who Bought Kate Spade and When
The Kate Spade brand was sold to Tapestry, Inc., the parent company of Coach, in 2017. The acquisition was completed in July 2017, when Tapestry finalized the deal for the Kate Spade New York brand and related assets. The transaction was first announced earlier that year and was widely reported by financial news outlets Forbes.
Before the sale, Kate Spade was part of Liz Claiborne Inc., which later became Fifth & Pacific Companies. The company was eventually renamed Kate Spade & Company before the Tapestry acquisition. The sale marked the end of the brand's independent public-company status and moved it into Tapestry's portfolio of luxury brands.
Deal Value and Financial Details
Tapestry acquired Kate Spade for a reported total enterprise value of approximately $2.4 billion. The price included cash and assumed debt, with the deal structured to cover the brand, intellectual property, and wholesale operations. The transaction was reviewed by regulators and completed without major antitrust hurdles.
After the acquisition, Tapestry integrated Kate Spade into its portfolio alongside Coach and Stuart Weitzman. The brand continued to operate under the Kate Spade New York name, with Tapestry managing global distribution, licensing, and brand strategy. Financial results for the division are reported within Tapestry's quarterly earnings SEC filings.
Post-Sale Brand Performance and Ownership
Under Tapestry, Kate Spade has remained a distinct brand with its own design teams and product lines. The company has continued to sell handbags, shoes, clothing, and accessories through department stores, specialty retailers, and its own direct channels. Tapestry has periodically refreshed the brand's positioning within its broader luxury portfolio.
The sale of Kate Spade is often cited as a case study in brand acquisitions within the fashion and luxury sector. Analysts and investors track the brand's revenue contribution to Tapestry's overall results, especially during quarterly earnings calls. For current financial details and segment reporting, Tapestry's official investor relations page provides updated data Tapestry Investor Relations.