CFDA Awards host June Ambrose asked where the late Kate Spade was on the red carpet

'What were you thinking!?'
Megan C. Hills4 June 2019

On Monday night, the CFDA awards honoured the best and brightest in the fashion world. The event saw Jennifer Lopez win a Fashion Icon Award and designer Brandon Maxwell scoop up the coveted Womenswear Designer of the Year accolade.

Sadly, one titan of the industry wasn’t on the red carpet: the late Kate Spade, who passed away of an apparent suicide last year. A fact which had not reached CFDA red carpet’s host June Ambrose, who was filmed asking a guest where Kate Spade was.

The costume designer and stylist was filmed interviewing influencer Hannah Bronfman, who had been dressed by the Kate Spade New York creative team. As Bronfman showed off her pastel pink dress, Ambrose called Spade one of her “favourite American designers” but then proceeded to ask her if Kate Spade had attended the event with her.

Kate Spade at the 2004 CFDA Awards
Getty Images

“Is she here?” Ambrose asked, looking past Bronfman to see if she could see the designer.

“Did you come before her? Or did she skip by me?” Ambrose continued.

Bronfman can be seen in the interview casting a look for help over her shoulder, before finally answering, “Well, the team from Kate is here. And [there’s] four [of us].”

As the interview swiftly moved on, Bronfman suddenly ran away halfway through for a photocall and Ambrose then proceeded to pull in the rest of the Kate Spade group for a larger interview. The group included Stranger Things' Sadie Sink, Booksmart’s Beanie Feldstein and Molly Gordon. The brand's creative director Nicola Glass was also actually there.

The moment can be seen on the CFDA’s live stream above at the 1 hour 22 minute mark.

The mistake was quickly spotted by Twitter users, who criticised Ambrose and the CFDA online for the mistake. One wrote, “I’m sorry BUT do your research or have an earpiece in if you’re going to host the CFDA red carpet and ask Hannah Bronfman if Kate Spade is there with her.”

Another tagged her in a comment and wrote, “@juneAmbrose did you just ask Hannah if Kate Spade was present? What were you thinking!?”

And others couldn't handle the awkwardness:

Ambrose appeared to have been notified of the gaffe during a break, as prior to signing off her live stream she said, “It has been my honour and pleasure to host, screw up and cause chaos tonight on this carpet for you. I hope you enjoyed and learned as much as I did.”

Spade passed away on June 5, 2018. She left the Kate Spade brand in 2006 to start a new label called Frances Valentine.

Earlier in the day, the Kate Spade team shared a number of Instagram stories about the lead up to the CFDA Awards. On the brand’s Instagram, the group were seen having drinks beforehand and showcasing the Kate Spade New York's collection of accessories, handbags and dresses.

CFDA Awards 2019 best dressed

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If you or anybody you may know requires mental health support, the Samaritans operate a 24/7 hotline and can be contacted for free at 116 123 or by email at jo@samaritans.org. Appointments can also be organised with your local GP to discuss further treatment options.

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