The Tranquil Vintessa

Scrolling lazily on my phone before bed, I came across a post on Threads—(do we call them “tweets” there? Still not sure)—where someone asked, “Y’all still buying Kate Spade? Didn’t she die in a horrible way? I don’t want to carry that energy.”

At first glance, it felt like one of those fleeting internet takes that you scroll past. But it stuck with me. Not because I agree, but because I get it.

If you’re unfamiliar, Kate Spade was an American fashion designer celebrated for her vibrant, playful style and iconic handbags. Her namesake brand, Kate Spade New York, was founded in 1993 and grew into a fashion empire. In 2018, Kate tragically died by suicide, a loss that rippled through the fashion world and beyond.

I can understand the hesitation around buying personal memorabilia—things like estate sale items that still carry the scent, energy, or touch of the deceased. That kind of intimacy can be deeply affecting. But a handbag from Kate Spade’s brand? That’s not the same thing.

These bags were created in a factory, most likely by people who had little to no direct connection to Kate herself. It’s not much different than saying you won’t wear Nike because Phil Knight experienced personal loss, or refusing to eat at a restaurant because the founder passed away tragically. It feels like a stretch. But then again—everyone views death, energy, and spirit differently.

Here’s where I land: we don’t know the energy in every object we interact with. You don’t know what energy is lingering in the Uber you just stepped into, in the clothes on your back, or in the antique mug you thrifted last week. You can’t always control the energy that surrounds you, but you can protect yourself.

For me, it’s less about avoiding objects with “energy connections” and more about maintaining your own energetic boundaries. Cleanse your space. Set intentions. Carry crystals if that’s your thing. But don’t let fear keep you from beauty, from practicality, or from honoring someone’s legacy—especially when that someone built something to bring lightness and color into the world.

You are the vessel. You choose what you hold and what you carry—energetically and emotionally.