Nicola Glass Opens Up About Her Vision For The Iconic American Brand

Kate Spade New York’s Nicola Glass opens up about fulfilling the late founder’s legacy, and her vision for the iconic American brand.

- Mughni Che Din

Spring/Summer ’19 marked many significant firsts for Kate Spade New York. Not only was its collection presented following the untimely death of the brand’s legendary founder last June, but it was also the first collection presented under the brand’s newly appointed creative director Nicola Glass.

Instead of leading the brand in a different direction, as many freshly elected designers do, Glass refined the house’s existing codes of playful femininity, relatability, and accessibility, and revolutionized them in her own unique way. After all, this is a woman with an impressive résumé that includes accessory designing stints at Gucci and Michael Kors prior to taking over the creative helm at Kate Spade New York. For her debut collection, if it didn’t spark joy, Glass got rid of it.

Set against a bubblegum pink background in the New York Public Library, the Spring/Summer ’19 show was steeped in the house’s signatures, like the spade-shaped logo that was innovatively incorporated in her line-up. Retro florals in hot pinks, buttery yellows, and pale lilacs appeared on silky satin dresses, complete with pouf sleeves and high necklines, and exuded a cool ’40s-meets-’70s vibe. Also included in the collection was a range of trench coats that added playful urban touches to the mix.

The day after the show, while seated in her newly redecorated office in Manhattan, Glass noted to BAZAAR that she wanted her first collection at Kate Spade New York to “feel familiar, as well as completely new”. She went on to discuss her vision for the brand ...