Elyce Arons was the co-founder of Kate Spade and is the co-founder and CEO of Frances Valentine, a New York-based luxury apparel and accessories company. Frances Valentine celebrates the power of personal style through clothes and accessories that boost your mood and tell a story.
A 35-year fashion veteran, Elyce knows a thing or two about business and style. She famously chased her passion for fashion all the way from Kansas to New York City alongside her best friend, Kate, and co-founded Kate Spade in 1993. Elyce shepherded the company from inception to international success, growing it into one of the most iconic brands in modern fashion history, and was instrumental in its 2006 sale to Neiman Marcus Group. In 2016, Elyce, Kate, and Andy Spade launched Frances Valentine as an evolution of their joyful style aesthetic; a brand with heart, soul, and a story to tell.
In June 2025, Elyce published her debut memoir, We Might Just Make It After All, which debuted on the New York Times Best Seller list. The book chronicles her decades long friendship with Kate Spade and the lessons she has learned building two iconic fashion brands.
Elyce has been featured on Good Morning America and The Today Show, and in publications including WWD, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. She lives in NYC with her husband and three daughters. When she is not running a global brand, you will find her gardening, playing tennis, or perusing the colorful stalls of a vintage market.
