What was Kate Spade's position at Mademoiselle magazine?

Kate Spade was an accessories editor at Mademoiselle magazine. Her work there placed her close to the handbag and accessory market that she would later transform through her own company.

Kate Spade moved to New York City in 1986 and joined Mademoiselle’s accessories department. By the time she left in 1991, she had risen to senior fashion editor and head of accessories. Sources sometimes summarize that career title as “accessories editor,” which is the concise answer used in this quiz.

At Mademoiselle, Spade noticed that many handbags were either overly fashionable or insufficiently practical. She began researching fabrics, shapes, construction, and production costs, including by browsing flea markets and secondhand shops. Those observations helped shape her first handbag collection.

Spade and Andy Spade founded Kate Spade New York in 1993 with Elyce Arons and Pamela Bell. The business initially focused on handbags before expanding into clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationery, eyewear, home goods, and fragrances.