KATE SPADE - HANDBAG MAKER SPADE IN LAWSUIT

Handbag maker to the stars KATE SPADE is being sued by the bosses of a New York design firm, who claim she's using their creations and not paying up.

Spade, who designs bags for the likes of ASHLEY JUDD and JENNIFER ANISTON, is at the centre of a $25 million (GBP14.7 million) lawsuit brought against her by PLATFORM designers.

They claim they were hired by Spade to design a line of bags for her with the promise of earning royalties, but insist she terminated partnership after they had developed numerous lines.

They accuse Spade of "theft, betrayal and exploitation".

A spokesman for Spade, who plans to countersue, says, "The Platform suit has no merit. They never fulfilled the terms of the agreement."