| Occupation | Entrepreneur and Fashion Executive |
|---|---|
| Known for | Co-founder of Kate Spade and Frances Valentine |
Elyce Arons is an American entrepreneur, fashion executive, and co-founder of the brands Kate Spade New York and Frances Valentine. She is currently chief executive officer (CEO) of Frances Valentine.[1]
Early life
Arons was raised on a farm in Kansas.[2]
Education
She attended The University of Kansas and later Arizona State University, where she met future collaborator Kate Brosnahan (later Kate Spade). The two became close friends during college.[3]
Career
After her studies, Arons worked in fashion marketing.[4] In 1993, she joined Kate and Andy Spade and Pamela Bell to launch the Kate Spade New York handbag brand. The company later expanded into apparel, shoes and home goods.[5]
In 2006, the founders sold the company to the Neiman Marcus Group.[6] In 2016, Arons co-founded Frances Valentine with the Spades.[7] Following Kate Spade's death in 2018, Arons became CEO of Frances Valentine.[8] In 2025, she published the memoir We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade. She was named 2025 Kansan of the Year by the Kansas Society of Washington, D.C.[9]
Personal life
Arons is married to Andy Arons, co-founder of Gourmet Garage, a New York City based specialty grocery chain.[10] The couple lives in New York City and have three daughters.[11]
References
- ^ Satran, Rory (2020-05-16). "What Would Kate Spade Do? The Question Drives the Company She Left Behind". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
- ^ "Former KU student, fashion entrepreneur Elyce Arons returning to Lawrence campus Sept. 26 for fireside chat". University of Kansas News. University of Kansas. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
- ^ "In Hot Pursuit of Those Elusive Bubbles". The New York Times. 2002-12-29. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
- ^ "Elyce Arons honors Kate Spade's legacy in new memoir book". The Kansas City Star. 2025-06-17. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
- ^ Swanson, Carl (2018-08-24). "After Kate Spade's Death, Will Frances Valentine Find Its Footing?". The Cut. New York Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
- ^ Mau, Dhani (2016-02-26). "Frances Valentine Launches E-Commerce". Fashionista. Breaking Media. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
- ^ Harris, Meggen (2018-11-09). "Kate Spade's Eye For Design Lives On With Frances Valentine". Forbes. Forbes. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
- ^ Swanson, Carl (2018-08-24). "After Kate Spade's Death, Will Frances Valentine Find Its Footing?". The Cut. New York Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
- ^ "Kate Spade co-founder, fashion entrepreneur Elyce Arons, named Kansan of the Year". The Kansas City Star. 2025-08-06. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
- ^ "2015 EDIBLE BUSINESS CONFERENCE – The Food Lab at Stony Brook Southampton". The Food Lab. The Food Lab. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
- ^ "We Might Just Make It After All – About the Author". Simon & Schuster. Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2025-10-05.