Katherine Noel Brosnahan was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1962. While majoring in journalism at Arizona State University, she met her husband Andy Spade and together they would launch one of the biggest brand names in handbags - Kate Spade.

The bags are often featured in fashion magazines but they really have that timeless preppy flair in them. The bags are reminiscent of a bygone era of class, sophistication and style we see in some old Hollywood movies for instance. Kate Spade has moved beyond bags and now features other items for women. There are shoes, clothes, stationery and even baby items. There's also Kate Spade Music by Beaumont, a modern pop band from the UK, offering a nod to '60s cocktail music with a jolt of modern glamour.

There are certain products that men everywhere turn to for reliability and inherent style. Military issue chino pants, Timex watches, Lacoste shirts, Levi's, oxford cloth shirts—all represent the proverbial "real McCoy." Most were originally created to serve a purpose—Chinos for the military, Levis for the workman, Lacoste shirts for the sportsman. Mass marketers have taken the concept of these items and produced lesser products for the sake of fashion. Remember when the only great chino pant you could buy was made of heavy canvas and sold exclusively in Army/Navy stores? Unfortunately, few of these originals still exist.

We've always appreciated companies like J. Press, Brooks Brothers, Levi's, Barbour and even Oxxford Clothing for being great companies that make useful items for men. The products these companies manufacture have style because the designs have a reason for being. With these products as inspiration, we created JACK SPADE. We want to return to this approach, once again offering men items that represent both honest, thoughtful design and practical purpose.

Like J. Press? Brooks Brothers? Lacoste? Do you mean things that are preppy?

For more, please visit katespade.com and jackspade.com