Just weeks after the death of its founder, the Kate Spade Foundation announced Wednesday that it is donating $1 million (Dh3.67 million) to organisations working for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
“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. We are dedicated to carrying on her legacy,” Anna Bakst, brand president and chief executive officer of Kate Spade New York, said in a statement.
“Mental illness does not discriminate; it is complicated and difficult to diagnose and can often be life-threatening,” Bakst continued. “We hope that our support will shed even more light on the disease and encourage those who suffer from mental health issues to seek help. Collectively, we must all do more.”
Spade committed suicide on June 5 at age 55. Her husband and business partner, Andy Spade, said the designer had “personal demons she was battling” but was under a doctor’s care and receiving treatment for depression and anxiety.
The first $250,000 of the foundation’s funds are going to Crisis Text Line, a free, confidential, 24/7 text-message support service for those in crisis.
The company is also matching public donations, up to $100,000, to Crisis Text Line from now through June 29.
In addition to the donations, Kate Spade New York announced a Global Mental Health Awareness Day for corporate and regional employees, the first step of a new wellness initiative being launched by the corporation in the months to come.
