Kate Spade New York opened its first-ever Canadian location in the new wing at Yorkdale Mall last month, and it’s a candy box of a store that showcases the brand’s sweet and colourful approach to American prep. As befits a company that started out in purses (Spade is a former accessories editor at Mademoiselle ), much of the real estate is given over to handbags and totes, though the label’s forays into clothing, jewellery, shoes and eyewear are all represented.
The purses range from classic shapes that will work for the office to ones that are more overtly whimsical, like a faux wood-grain shoulder bag or a canvas tote emblazoned with a cheeky tweet. The clothing is heavy on skirts and dresses, with some shapes, like the Carolyn dress, reappearing every season with a new graphic print or bright colour scheme. We can imagine the tailored jackets and full-skirted frocks on well-heeled matrons as easily as super-girly young things like Taylor Swift— who is a fan, natch.
181761 Puffer, $698 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-17.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-17/ dec12-kate-spade-17 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181760 Merino wool jacket, $348 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-16.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-16/ dec12-kate-spade-16 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181759 Pleated silk dress, $398 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-15.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-15/ dec12-kate-spade-15 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181758 Striped silk-cotton dress, $478 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-14.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-14/ dec12-kate-spade-14 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181757 Studs, $38 a pair (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-13/ dec12-kate-spade-13 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181755 Enamel and gold-plated hinged bangles, $148 each (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-11/ dec12-kate-spade-11 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181751 Patent leather flats with rubber heel, $198 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-07/ dec12-kate-spade-07 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181754 Hashtag canvas tote, $248 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-10/ dec12-kate-spade-10 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181753 Patent wallet, $198 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-09.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-09/ dec12-kate-spade-09 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181752 Ostrich embossed cowhide handbag, $548 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-08.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-08/ dec12-kate-spade-08 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181750 Pebbled leather cross-body, $378 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-06/ dec12-kate-spade-06 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181749 Wood-grain printed patent leather shoulder bag, $348 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-05/ dec12-kate-spade-05 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181748 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-04/ dec12-kate-spade-04 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181762 The back half of the store (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-intro.jpg 656 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-intro/ dec12-kate-spade-intro 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181747 The front of the store (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-03/ dec12-kate-spade-03 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181746 While the store’s primary focus is handbags and accessories, it has a small collection of women’s clothing (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-02.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-02/ dec12-kate-spade-02 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
181745 Kate Spade New York is one of the brands new to Canada to set up shop in the swanky new <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/daily/style/shop-talk/2012/11/16/yorkdale-mall-expansion/">Yorkdale Mall expansion</a> (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: Kate Spade New York Introducing: Kate Spade New York https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Kate-Spade-01.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-kate-spade-new-york/slide/dec12-kate-spade-01/ dec12-kate-spade-01 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
Kate Spade New York, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 3401 Dufferin St., 416-782-2321, katespade.com