Remembering Kate Spade & Anthony Bourdain

Hello Friends,

This entry will not be silly as they usually are, but rather somber as I reflect upon designer Kate Spade and world traveler Anthony Bourdain recently passing. In their honor, I felt it was important to discuss my love for these people, their character, careers and how they have inspired me.

R.I.P. Kate Spade

I've always had a deep interest in fashion, however it hasn't been until the past year or so that I could afford to invest in nicer clothes and even consider purchasing anything designer. Whilst passing through Macy's (among other fine department stores), Kate Spade New York products have always caught my eye. It appeals to my delicate, feminine sensibilities in addition to my desire to be colorful and bold. That's what draws me into the brand.

It wasn't until the Flights of Fancy line released that I felt like I had to have a Kate Spade-something. Unfortunately, I was a broke student at that time and could never dream of purchasing fancy wallets, purses or clothing. Now that I've finished school and found a job, I regularly raid the outlet mall.

Although I don't own too many Kate Spade items, they bring me great joy. I have a couple of pieces from the Dress the Part line. The design strongly resonates with me because it gives off mad Persona 5 vibes.

Aside from the totes, I purchased my mom a large bag for her birthday this year and recently purchased a dress in Kate's honor. I've been eyeing a particular dress for over a month and felt the time was right. Not only is this dress flattering on me, the fabric itself is incredibly comfortable and reinforced with strong stitching. The quality is worth every penny.

Even though I really love the Kate Spade brand, I honestly think she's an amazing woman. She built her brand from the ground up and remained active in the company for quite some time even after selling it. It wasn't until she gave birth to her daughter that she stepped down to focus on her family, which I think says a lot about her values. In 2016, Kate launched a new brand, Frances Valentine, and spent her last couple years designing again.

R.I.P. Anthony Bourdain

I'm not a huge fan of many television stars... but I find Anthony Bourdain to be extremely charming, his influence reaching me at a young age. My family never had a cable line, so I regularly indulged myself in unique programming whenever I hung out at a friend's house. I was a young teen when a friend introduced me to him in No Reservations because there was an episode that took place in Japan. She said I had to watch it! I. Was. Instantly. Hooked.

From there, I've been a dedicated viewer, searching for episodes online if my friends failed to DVR any of his programs before the graces of Hulu and Netflix streaming. I consistently watched new episodes of The Layover and Parts Unknown as they aired and found myself hunting down and reading his books throughout college.

Since I was a child, I've always had an interest in foreign culture, especially those of Asia and the Pacific. What attracted me to Bourdain's programs and writing is that he's brutally honest. I wouldn't consider him a jerk, no matter how sharp his tongue. There's a certain kind of respect he gives to cultures and he tries to understand the unique differences by dining among commoners. The primary angle of his shows being: food unites people.

I spent much of my high school and college life studying foreign languages, cultural anthropology, television & film, history and government because Anthony Bourdain inspires me. Hell, I remember exiting high school and thinking about my college and career options saying, "I want to be the 'Next-Generation' Anthony Bourdain."

Here I am today, saving money to invest in some basic video equipment and researching places I can visit and document the next couple of years. Even as I review my options for continuing my education and possibly earning a Master's degree, the consideration to invest that money into funding a culture & travel documentary wavers inside my head.

What to Do

I truly love Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, looking up to their work ethics and what they managed to accomplish. However, it's a sad reminder that no matter how driven and successful a person may be, they can still be silently suffering in other areas of their life.

If you ever feel helpless and alone, know that there is always someone you can reach out to. If you don't feel comfortable asking your friends or family, you can always contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

You are loved.

You are worth it.

Thanks for reading. See you next blog,

Loverly Liz