LOS ANGELES: Mourning the death of designer Kate Spade, celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon, Josh Groban, Mindy Kaling and Lena Dunham remembered her as a "visionary", who made women feel beautiful with her "colourful, quirky" designs.
One of the biggest names in American fashion, the designer was found dead in New York from an apparent suicide, the police said.
According to reports, her 24-year-old marriage with Andy Spade was on the rocks.
Spade, aged 55, hanged herself in her Park Avenue apartment.
The death of the designer - known for her sleek and colorful handbags - was confirmed by her label on Twitter.
"Kate Spade, the visionary founder of our brand, has passed. Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly heartbreaking time. We honor all the beauty she brought into this world (sic)," KSNY said in a statement.
Witherspoon also took to the microblogging site to pay homage to the designer.
"My heart and prayers go out to Kate Spade and her family. What a wonderful, talented woman who will be dearly missed," she said.
Her "The Wrinkle In Time" co-star Mindy Kaling said she is "heartbroken" to know about Spade's demise.
"I have worn her clothes many, many times. They were colorful, bold, cheerful, and encouraged women to find the twinkly person inside them. You couldn't walk into her boutiques and not smile. Rest In Peace, Kate (sic)" Kaling tweeted.
Josh Groban tweeted, "Depression does not discriminate and comes without warning. RIP Kate Spade. Love to her family," while sharing the contact of National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Actor David Spade, who is the late designer's brother-in-law, took to Instagram to share a photograph with her.
The "Rules of Engagement" actor said he was in shock.
"Fuzzy picture but I love it. Kate and I during Christmas family photos. We had so much fun that day. She was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard. I still can't believe it. It's a rough world out there people, try to hang on," he wrote alongside the photograph.
Viola Davis praised Spade for her "practical, classy, and elegant" style of bags and wished well for her family.
"Pretty Little Liars" star Lucy Hale wrote, "Very saddened to hear about the passing of Kate Spade. Mental illness does not discriminate and can happen to anyone with any circumstances. I hope she has found peace."
"I decided to wear head-to-toe Kate Spade to an event tonight to honor her contributions to fashion and women in business. I always admired that she was self-made and was so sad to hear the news of her passing. Rest easy, Kate....and thank you for making so many women feel wonderful (sic)" Katy Griffin wrote on Twitter.
"Girls" creator Lena Dunham thanked Spade for making her feel "beautiful".
"Kate Spade was more than a designer. She had a quirky visual language that captivated Bat Mitzvah girls and artists alike. She was also a staple of NYC who spread good will. My heart breaks for her family. Thank you, Kate, from one of the millions you made feel beautiful," she added.
"2 Broke Girls" star Beth Behrs narrated a personal anecdote of owning her first Kate Spade bag which she got in high school.
"It was my most prized possession. My current wallet, covered in bees, makes me smile every time I see it- it's by Kate Spade. My heart is just broken for her family and loved ones," she said.
Singer-actor Janelle Monae tweeted, "Kate Spade forever."
Spade is survived by her husband and 13-year-old daughter Frances Beatrix.
According to People magazine, the designer's estranged sister Reta Brosnahan Saffo alleged Spade was suffering from "mental illness for a number of years", a claim denied by the family.