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New York Fashion Week: Kate Spade reboots for spring/summer 2019 with a pink and peppy floral-filled collection

Looks from the Kate Spade spring and summer 2019 runway collection presented at the New York Public Library on Sept. 7 during New York Fashion Week.
(Bebeto Matthews / AP)
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At the Kate Spade New York runway show Friday, a trail of sparkling silver glitter traced the models’ route across a pale pink carpet, and a card at each seat read, “She left a little sparkle everywhere she went,” a touching tribute to the label’s namesake whose June suicide sent shock waves through the fashion world.

The spring/summer 2019 collection, the first since her passing (Kate Spade and co-founder/husband Andy Spade haven’t been involved with the brand since 2007) was also the first presented under new creative director Nicola Glass, a former senior vice president of accessories at Michael Kors, who made an impressive debut by bringing the brand back to its accessible luxury roots.

A collection full of all things feminine, sophisticated, pretty and peppy, the color palette popped with solids — predominantly pale pinks and purples, cheery yellows and bold blues — as well as patterned pieces that alternated between bold geometric patterns and smile-inducing, just-this-side-of whimsical florals. Most looks were accessorized with chic head scarves (also in evidence on the Tom Ford runway earlier in the week) and oversized sunnies.

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Kate Spade creative director Nicola Glass, center, at the runway finale of her first collection for the label.
(Bebeto Matthews / AP)

Standout looks included the runway opener — a pink and black silk dress in a four-petal floral graphic pattern with matching head scarf paired with purple below-the-knee boots; a blue and purple version of the same floral pattern in a knit polo paired with high-waisted, cobalt blue capri pants; and a dusty lilac trench coat with contrasting menswear check lapels.

Against the backdrop of the founding designer’s untimely passing, showing a genuinely feel-good, smile-on-you-face collection would appear to be a nearly insurmountable challenge. However, it’s one that Glass passed with flying colors.

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adam.tschorn@latimes.com

For more musings on all things fashion and style, follow me at @ARTschorn

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