Elyce Arons is a fashion entrepreneur, business executive, and author who co-founded Kate Spade New York and serves as CEO of Frances Valentine. She gained global recognition for building two iconic American fashion brands and authoring the New York Times bestselling memoir We Might Just Make It After All. The Kansas native transformed the luxury handbag industry with her business partner Kate Spade and created a multi-million dollar fashion empire.
Elyce Arons Biography
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Elyce Arons |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | February 2, 1965 |
| Age | 60 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | New York City, New York, USA |
| Current residence | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
| Weight | 163 lbs (74 kg) |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Andy Arons |
| Children | Three daughters (Katy, Jane, and Marni) |
| Alma mater | University of Kansas, Arizona State University |
| Profession | Fashion entrepreneur, CEO, author |
| Net worth | $90-99 million (estimated) |
Who is Elyce Arons?
Elyce Arons is an American fashion designer and business executive best known for co-founding the globally recognized brand Kate Spade New York in 1993.
She met her college roommate Katy Brosnahan (later known as Kate Spade) at the University of Kansas in 1981, forming a friendship that lasted nearly four decades.
The fashion mogul grew up on a 1,500-acre cattle ranch in Sedgwick, Kansas, where she worked alongside her three sisters doing farm chores.
Her early exposure to vintage fashion through her mother, a graphic designer who created fashion illustrations for Wichita stores, sparked her lifelong passion for the industry.
After building Kate Spade into a multi-billion-dollar empire, Arons co-founded Frances Valentine with Kate Spade and Andy Spade in 2016. She continues to lead the brand as CEO while inspiring women entrepreneurs worldwide.
What is Elyce Arons’s net worth?
As of 2026, Elyce Arons’s net worth is estimated between $90 million and $99 million. Her wealth comes from multiple income sources including ownership stakes in both Kate Spade and Frances Valentine, licensing agreements, brand royalties, and retail sales.
The 2006 sale of Kate Spade’s majority stake to Neiman Marcus generated $99 million in revenue, with Arons receiving a substantial portion as a co-founder. She continues to earn income from her role as CEO of Frances Valentine.
Her annual income is estimated in the millions, reflecting her position as chief executive, brand strategist, and creative director. The direct-to-consumer business model of Frances Valentine allows for higher profit margins compared to traditional wholesale approaches.
How old is Elyce Arons? Age and birthday
Elyce Arons is 60 years old as of January 2026. She was born on February 2, 1965, in New York City, New York, USA. Her zodiac sign is Aquarius.
Elyce Arons’s height and weight
Elyce Arons stands 5 feet 6 inches tall (167 cm) and weighs approximately 163 pounds (74 kg). She has blonde hair and blue eyes.
Career
Early career beginnings
Elyce Arons moved to New York City after graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in journalism.
She began her professional journey working in publicity and marketing for several fashion companies throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Before launching Kate Spade, Arons gained valuable experience in brand development, retail strategy, and consumer marketing.
Her background in journalism provided strong storytelling skills that later proved essential in building recognizable brand identities.
Co-founding Kate Spade New York
In 1993, Elyce Arons co-founded Kate Spade New York alongside Katy Brosnahan Spade, Andy Spade, and Pamela Bell. The business started with initial sales of $100,000 in its first year.
The brand filled a gap in the luxury handbag market by offering stylish, functional bags at accessible price points. Their distinctive aesthetic featured bold colors, clean lines, and playful sophistication.
By 1996, Kate Spade opened its flagship store in New York City, marking the beginning of rapid retail expansion. The brand grew from a small startup operated out of a Tribeca loft into an international fashion powerhouse.
Key milestones during the Kate Spade era include:
- 1993: Launch of Kate Spade with four co-founders
- 1996: Opening of first flagship store in Manhattan
- 1999: Expansion into additional product categories
- 2006: Sale of majority stake to Neiman Marcus for $99 million
Arons played a vital role in shaping the brand’s identity, overseeing business operations, and managing retail expansion strategies. She remained with the company through its growth period until 2007.
Frances Valentine
After departing from Kate Spade, Arons reunited with Kate and Andy Spade in 2016 to launch Frances Valentine, a vintage-inspired accessories and apparel brand. The company name honors Kate Spade’s daughter, Frances Beatrix.
Frances Valentine focuses on creating bold, colorful designs that blend retro aesthetics with modern functionality. The brand offers handbags, shoes, jewelry, and ready-to-wear clothing.
As CEO, Arons oversees all business operations, creative direction, and strategic planning. The brand operates through direct-to-consumer channels, with over 95 percent of revenue coming from its website and freestanding retail stores as of 2021.
Frances Valentine experienced 40 percent growth in recent years, with e-commerce sales increasing by 284 percent. The brand has expanded to locations including New York, Palm Beach, Madison, and Buckhead Village.
Author and public speaker
In June 2025, Elyce Arons published her memoir We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade. The New York Times bestselling book chronicles her decades-long friendship with Kate Spade, from their college days through building two successful fashion brands.
The memoir provides an intimate look at their personal bond, creative partnership, and the challenges they faced in the fashion industry. Arons wrote the book as a tribute to Kate Spade, who died by suicide in 2018.
She has appeared on numerous media outlets including Today Show, Good Morning America, and various podcasts to discuss the book and share insights about entrepreneurship and female friendship.
Awards and recognition
Elyce Arons received the 2025 Kansan of the Year award from the Kansas Society of Washington, D.C. The honor recognized her contributions to the fashion industry and her representation of Kansas values in business.
In January 2026, LIM College announced that Arons would receive an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree and deliver the keynote address at the 2026 commencement ceremony on May 17, 2026.
She was named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Lifestyle list in July 2025, highlighting her continued influence in the fashion industry at age 62.
Arizona State University will induct both Elyce Arons and the late Kate Spade into the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Alumni Hall of Fame in March 2026.
Is Elyce Arons married? Husband and children
Elyce Arons is married to Andy Arons, her longtime husband. The couple resides in New York City with their family. Andy Arons hails from Boston originally.
Elyce and Andy have three daughters: Katy (born around 2002), Jane (born around 2003), and Marni (born around 2007). As of 2020, their daughters were 18, 17, and 13 years old respectively.
The family also has a chocolate Labrador retriever. Arons speaks about balancing her demanding career with motherhood, crediting her husband for his support in managing both family life and business responsibilities.
Her eldest daughter Katy shares the same name as Kate Spade, whose birth name was Katy Brosnahan. The naming choice reflects the deep bond between Arons and her late best friend.
Arons frequently shares glimpses of her family life on social media, including outfit-of-the-day videos featuring her mother and daughters. The family enjoys spending time together, whether at their New York home or vacationing in places like Naples, Florida.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Elyce Arons has approximately 70,900 followers on Instagram (@elyce_arons). She uses the platform to share fashion inspiration, behind-the-scenes content from Frances Valentine, personal milestones, and memories with Kate Spade.
Her Instagram content includes outfit styling videos, store opening announcements, book promotion materials, and glimpses into her personal life with her family. She regularly engages with followers through reels, posts, and stories.
Arons uses social media to connect with customers, promote Frances Valentine collections, and celebrate fashion as a form of self-expression. Her authentic, approachable online presence mirrors the brand philosophy of making fashion fun and accessible.
The Frances Valentine brand also maintains active social media accounts (@francesvalentine) where Arons frequently appears in promotional content and customer engagement initiatives.
Fast facts about Elyce Arons
- Elyce Arons was the youngest of four daughters who all worked on the family cattle ranch in Sedgwick, Kansas.
- She met Kate Spade on their first day of college at the University of Kansas in August 1981 at GSP Hall.
- Both Arons and Kate Spade transferred from the University of Kansas to Arizona State University, where they earned degrees in journalism.
- The title of her memoir, We Might Just Make It After All, references the theme song from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which inspired Arons to pursue journalism.
- Arons is a member of Chi Omega sorority from her college days and remains active with the organization.
- She visited Mary Tyler Moore’s actual closet and is collaborating with the Mary Tyler Moore Foundation on a Frances Valentine collection launching in fall 2026.
- Frances Valentine’s direct-to-consumer business model accounts for over 95 percent of total revenue.
- Arons describes herself as someone who loves having people around and values her Midwestern roots of honesty, transparency, and graciousness in business.
- Her father passed away two days before she learned about receiving the 2025 Kansan of the Year award.
- She will be inducted into the Arizona State University Cronkite School Alumni Hall of Fame alongside Kate Spade in March 2026.
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Wrapping up
Elyce Arons built a remarkable career as a fashion entrepreneur, transforming from a Kansas farm girl into the co-founder of two iconic American brands.
Her 60-year journey showcases dedication to quality craftsmanship, timeless design, and authentic storytelling.
As CEO of Frances Valentine and author of a bestselling memoir, Arons continues honoring her late friend Kate Spade’s legacy while inspiring the next generation of women business leaders.
Her estimated net worth of $90-99 million reflects decades of strategic vision and creative excellence in the luxury fashion industry.
References
- Town & Country. Why I Had to Tell the Story of My Best Friend, Kate Spade.
- Kansas City Magazine. Kate Spade co-founder Elyce Arons reflects on her Kansas roots, building a lasting fashion legacy and being named 2025 Kansan of the Year.
- Forbes. Elyce Arons Opens Up About Her Best Friend, Business Partner And ‘Chosen Family’ Kate Spade.
- LinkedIn. Elyce Arons – Founder/CEO Frances Valentine.
- Kansas City Star. Kate Spade co-founder Elyce Arons awarded top Kansas honor.
- Instagram. Elyce Arons (@elyce_arons).
- ASU News. Kate Spade brand co-founders to be inducted into Cronkite hall of fame.
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