Kate Spade's husband says she suffered from depression

The husband and business partner of fashiondesigner KateSpade, who died in an apparent suicide, says she suffered from depression and anxiety for many years.

Andy Spade said in a lengthy statement to the New York Times Wednesday that he and their 13-year-old daughter Bea were "devastated by her loss and can't evenbegin to fathom life without her."

He said Kate was actively seeking help during the last five years,"seeing a doctor on a regular basis and taking medication for bothdepression and anxiety."

Kate Spade, who with her husband built a fashion empire onthe popularity of her colourful handbags, was found dead in herNew York City apartment on Tuesday. She was55.

"We were in touch with her the night before and she soundedhappy. There was no indication and no warning that she would dothis," Andy Spade said. "It was a complete shock."

Her husband said they had been living separately for the past 10months, but within a few blocks of each other, andsaw each other or spoke every day. He said they were notlegally separated and never discussed divorce.

"We were best friends trying to work through our problems in thebest way we knew how," he said.

"We were together for 35years. We loved each other very much and simply needed a break,"he said in his statement.