NEW YORK - Designer Kate Spade, one of the biggest names in American fashion known especially for her sleek handbags, was found dead Wednesday in her New York apartment. She was 55.

A police spokeswoman said Spade had committed suicide, but added the exact circumstances of her death were not yet clear.

A source close to the investigation said she had left a note in her Park Avenue apartment.

Spade's relatives said in a statement that they were "devastated by today's tragedy" and would "miss her terribly," asking for privacy. She is survived by her husband and teenage daughter.

Tributes to Spade poured in from celebrities, the fashion world and everyday women who admired her quintessentially American style, which had a sophisticated yet playful vibe.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America hailed Spade's work.

"She was a great talent who had an immeasurable impact on American fashion and the way the world viewed American accessories," said a statement from CFDA board chairman Diane von Furstenberg and CEO Steven Kolb.

ICONIC HANDBAGS

Spade - a Missouri native who first worked as a journalist, including a stint as accessories editor at Mademoiselle magazine - launched her eponymous fashion label in 1993 with her husband Andy and the help of outside investors.

Her cheerful use of bright colors and prints proved a hit with career women.

The brand, initially sold in several New York stores, opened its flagship in the city's Soho neighborhood in 1996.

Her designs represented the New York aesthetic - a mix of modern and classic. It was so associated with the city that she eventually added its name to her label, Kate Spade New York.

Her most famous handbag was the "Sam" - a black mid-size rectangular bag. Generally, her handbags were stylish but not ostentatious. The "Sam" was relaunched this year by the label in new prints and colors.

Beyond the label's signature handbags, Spade was also known for shoes. It later branched into ready-to-wear, after she had left the company.

Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton was among the many offering condolences to Spade's family on Twitter.

"My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college. I still have it. Holding Kate's family, friends and loved ones in my heart," Clinton said.

Robert Dicker, a psychiatrist and associate director at the Zucker Hillside Hospital in New York, said that celebrity suicides were often followed by an uptick in attempts.

"We want to be sure that people understand that there is help that is available," Dicker said. - AFP