The Bert Show – Vault: Interview with Kate Spade

Podcast: The Bert Show
Host: Pionaire Podcasting
Episode: Vault: Interview – Kate Spade
Date: October 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode revives a charming interview with the late designer Kate Spade, originally broadcast on Q100 in Atlanta as part of The Bert Show. The conversation spotlights Kate’s down-to-earth personality, the unique appeal of her iconic handbags, and her career journey from humble beginnings to becoming a household name. Listeners get an insider’s perspective on the allure behind the Kate Spade brand, spontaneous anecdotes from fans, and Kate's reflections on staying true to her vision as her company rapidly expanded.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kate’s Views on Atlanta & First Impressions

• Arrival in Atlanta: Kate shares her excitement about being back in the city, despite arriving late at night and having little time to explore ([02:23–02:44]).
  • Quote:
    "I haven't seen much this trip, though... I got in around midnight, so I'm kind of looking out my window at the city."
    (Kate Spade, 02:34)
• Atmosphere & Sights: She’s enamored with the city’s beauty and freshness:
  • "It smells beautiful here and the weather’s beautiful!"
    (Kate Spade, 02:44)

2. The Cult of the Kate Spade Bag

• Fan Dedication:
  A caller named Kayla relates a memorable anecdote about her roommate risking her safety during a fire alarm to rescue her beloved Kate Spade bag, affectionately called “Katie” ([03:05–03:48]).
  • Quote:
    "She refers to the bag as Katie and goes back into what we think is a burning building to get the bag."
    (Kayla, 03:23)
• Kate’s Reaction:
  Kate is amused and touched, promising to help out her devoted fans and advising safety over style.
  • "Next time just tell her I’ll send her anywhere if they get—That’s what I’ll tell her... Tell her to be safer next time."
    (Kate Spade, 03:50)

3. What Makes a Kate Spade Bag Special?

• Design Philosophy:
  Kate describes her approach as creating bags she personally wants—balancing style and practicality, avoiding designs that are “too fussy” or “not interesting enough” ([04:30–05:10]).
  • Quote:
    "I'm just designing things that I know I want to wear... something that seemed interesting, but also, you know, functional, elegant... just kind of all the things you want to feel, like, ladylike."
    (Kate Spade, 04:30)
• Addressing Real Women:
  She discusses how her collections are meant “for a real person,” someone who wants both romance and practicality.

4. Growth of the Brand & Fast-Tracking Success

• The “Momentum” Question:
  The host asks if the explosive popularity of Kate Spade bags surprised her. Kate shares that success felt gradual, but industry insiders saw it as lightning fast ([05:10–06:12]).
  • Quote:
    "For about two years, it was really, you know, we really just sold to a very few amount of stores... then as we started to grow and people started to see us... Elle magazine and Vogue magazine, you know, would do little stories and... I think that helped a lot."
    (Kate Spade, 05:28)

5. Expansion & Brand Philosophy

• Branching Out:
  Discussion turns to her expansion into other accessories and lifestyle products—stationery, fragrance, travel items—while resisting pressure to design clothing ([06:12–07:04]).
  • Quote:
    "I love all the things that surround [clothing] because I look at them as accessories... I'll leave the meat and potatoes to someone else. I like all the things that surround it."
    (Kate Spade, 06:26)
• Future Vision:
  Kate expresses interest in home goods (“sheets and towels”), reaffirming her passion for accessories and lifestyle pieces.

6. The Urban Legend: Kate Spade’s Start in NYC

• The Journey:
  The host retells the “urban legend” of Kate running out of money post-Europe and landing in New York, which Kate confirms ([07:22–08:24]).
  • Quote:
    "I went to Europe, actually, all by myself... I kind of stopped [in New York] to, you know, get a job and see what I wanted to do. And next thing I know, I was at Mademoiselle magazine. And that led me into the fashion world."
    (Kate Spade, 07:49)
• Humble Beginnings:
  She clarifies that she took a job in New York "just to stay long enough to buy a ticket home," but ultimately started her fashion career instead.

7. Personal Touches & Family Life

• Where’s Home?:
  Kate recounts her roots—growing up in Kansas City, going to college in Arizona, and finally settling in New York ([08:36–09:18]).
• Family Brands:
  On whether her family is “mandated” to carry her handbags:
  • "They're not mandated, but it's highly suggested."
    (Kate Spade, 08:54)
• Other Designers:
  Kate admits admiration for other designers but feels confident in her own creations:
  • "If I’m not wearing my own then I’m doing something wrong because that’s pretty much what I’m... designing for things that I... would like to see out there."
    (Kate Spade, 09:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ladylike but Real:
  "I think that’s a real person, and I’m trying to address kind of all the different things that I want. So hopefully there’s a response. You never know."
  (Kate Spade, 04:30–05:10)

• Home Accessories Vision:
  "Maybe home. I love the idea of home because, again, it’s accessories. We can do sheets and towels and, you know, all of that seems kind of great."
  (Kate Spade, 06:58)

• Legend Confirmed:
  "That's pretty much true... My husband, who's now in business with me, and also my friend Elise... All three of us were supposed to go and I ended up going by myself."
  (Kate Spade, 07:45)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 02:23: Kate greets Atlanta, shares her traveling tales
• 03:05: Hardcore fan Kayla recounts a “burning building” bag rescue
• 04:15: Host and Kate discuss what makes the bags special
• 05:10: Brand momentum and the role of magazine features
• 06:12: Expansion and avoiding the clothing route
• 07:22: Kate’s post-college journey to NYC
• 08:36: Kate’s roots, family, and carrying her own brand

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is light, personal, and peppered with laughter, with Kate’s wit and humility shining throughout. She demystifies her brand’s appeal, centers the real needs of women, and candidly confirms “urban legends” about her path from midwestern beginnings to global fashion mogul. The Bert Show cast keeps the energy fun and convivial, making the episode a memorable window into the mind and manner of an iconic designer.