The woman who challenged us to live colorfully died in darkness.

We are all so desperate to create a brand for and from ourselves, yet the woman who did it so flawlessly died because of it. Too afraid to get help for fear it would ruin the color, the life, the beauty of the brand hung herself. With a scarf. In her Manhattan apartment.

The question is, how could someone who made so many of us feel so good feel bad enough to end her life?

While I don’t know why, and maybe we’ll never know, what I keep wondering is if Kate was to read the outpouring of love, support, admiration, appreciation, and personal anecdotes that have been pouring out since the news hit, would she have made the same decision?

Kate’s legend was a playful, colorful, fresh, confident approach to fashion. A legend that so painfully juxtaposes her death.

It makes me realize that no matter what you see of someone from the outside and how that makes you assume their life is, there is so often a darkness, a struggle, an unmanageable sadness within.

Reach out to people often who have made a difference in your life. Social media has become a tool to expose the life we want people to see, but let it primarily be used to offer genuine support. To discover and connect with other artists. To let people know that their craft or passion or creation has made a difference to you.

We cannot insist on hiding behind a brand or a facade. There isn’t time for that.

Please be human. I implore you. Please seek genuineness. Please live colorfully and be brave enough to expose your darkness. Please surround yourself with people who can handle it and support you. Please be loved.