Fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead in her apartment in New York City yesterday (June 5) after an apparent suicide.

The footage shows Kate Spade's body being removed from her apartment as a crowd watches on.

The designer, who founded the fashion brand with her husband, was 55.

"Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly heartbreaking time. We honour all the beauty she brought into this world," the company said in a tweet.