Kate Spade's pret-a-por-'tea'
Talk about pret-a-por-“tea”! Kate Spade New York recently partnered with the Raffles Hotel on a high tea that was all about fashion, fun and fabulous bags.
Raffles’ Writer’s Bar was decked out in Kate Spade’s fall 2022 collection of bags and ready-to-wear. Inspired by intimate gatherings and the comforts of home, featured patterns took after rose-covered wallpaper, joyful plaids, crisp pleats and polka dots.
“We’re back to announce a very, very exciting collaboration between one of our most iconic, fun and very youthful American brands, Kate Spade, and Raffles Hotel,” said Michelle Suarez, marketing and communications head of Stores Specialists, Inc. “We are actually featuring an iconic piece of Kate Spade, which is the Sam bag. For all of you who are roughly my age, you may remember the Sam bag. It was introduced in 1993, and it used to be in nylon, but now we’re introducing it in leather, and of course, in the very youthful, fun and lovable colors of Kate Spade.”
This original ’90s “it” bag now comes in feather pink, green and orange, new materials like Spazzolato leather and embroidered velvet, and a range of sizes and silhouettes, including a small tote, mini hobo bag, and medium shoulder bag. The Sam Little Better Nylon returns as well in black and dark merlot.
This iconic bag is actually rendered in edible form in Raffles’ special Kate Spade New York Afternoon High Tea, which offers sweets and savories bearing KSNY’s fall patterns. Conceived by Raffles executive chef Bela Rieck, it’s the most fun, fashionable and delicious way to experience the collection.
Another covetable bag is the Spade Flower Jacquard, which comes in a new colorway, Neutral Multi, and features oversized totes that are bestsellers with Pinoy Kate Spade customers.
“It’s one of the most iconic prints of Kate Spade, and the jacquard is made in Italy,” notes Karen Guinto, SSI Merchandise Group manager for Kate Spade New York. “A lot of people like the neutrals.”
Other bags of note are the Katy, which boasts Kate Spade’s new logo plaque in modern enamel and fall colors like All-Spice Cake; the new Evelyn quilted-leather medium convertible shoulder bag features contrast piping, a brushed-gold chain, and a rose-garden motif made of hand-cut silk and velvet embroidery.
Racing Stripe combines buttery leather and woven jacquard in a nod to vintage luggage.
The Dottie has more of an abstract, modern edge: multi-colored nappa leather dots give structure to small and medium totes and a bucket bag.
Accompanying the Dottie is Rubix, which is back with even more capacity and three colorways: timeless taupe, fiery orange, and dark merlot.
Favorite core styles have also been refreshed. The Knott family sees the addition of a bold whipstitch in smooth nappa leather, while the Manhattan tote is reimagined with chunky, handwoven plaid and the new plaque logo.
“The Knott has been really fast-selling and they released it in several different colors and silhouettes,” notes Guinto. “It has a cross-body function so it’s practical if you want to go hands-free.”
More whimsical items include the Lucy the Leopard bag, which blends a neutral leopard print with emerald green, and the pleated leather Patisserie 3D croissant clutch — a fun, elevated take on the flaky French treat and seen across categories including ready-to-wear, jewelry, and fashion accessories.
Kate Spade’s collaboration with Out of Print takes novelty to a new level with Storyteller. Canvas book totes and Italian leather 3D book crossbodies are inspired by literary classics like The Secret Garden and Black Beauty.
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In the Philippines, Kate Spade New York is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central, Greenbelt 5, Power Plant Mall, Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La Plaza, and Rustan’s Cebu. Visit facebook.com/katespadenewyork.philippines and www.ssilife.com.ph or follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.
The Kate Spade New York fall 2022-themed Afternoon High Tea Set is available at the Raffles Hotel Writers Bar until Nov. 15, 2-3:30 p.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. daily.
