Long before Elyce Arons became a defining voice in American fashion, she was a Kansas farm girl flipping through fashion magazines borrowed from her older sisters. From a young age, she was drawn to style and design. Elyce was fascinated by fabrics, colors, and the way a garment could express personality. Her mother, a fashion illustrator, filled their home with creativity, surrounding Elyce with sketches and swatches that made fashion feel alive and attainable.
“I would go thrift shopping all the time,” Elyce laughs. “Before it was cool, my friends would say, ‘That’s so gross, you’re buying people’s old clothes!’ But I loved it. I loved the craftsmanship, the hand-beaded details, and the personal touches.”
That early love of design would one day shape a defining chapter in the fashion industry. On her first day of college, in the early ’80s, Elyce met Kate Brosnahan. They bonded instantly over a shared obsession with The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a friendship that would eventually turn into a legendary business partnership.
In 1993, Elyce, Kate, and partners Pamela Bell and Andy Spade launched Kate Spade New York, a brand that crafted handbags that were smart, joyful, and perfectly suited to women who wanted a little personality in their everyday style. “I believed in it from the beginning,” Elyce recalls. “Katy was nervous about losing money, but I thought the design was exactly what was missing from the market.” Editors noticed immediately. Bold colors, clean lines, and approachable femininity made the bags irresistible to the fashion world.
After more than a decade of success, the four partners decided they were ready for change and sold their business, a chapter Elyce calls “wonderful and grounding.” But creativity has a way of finding its way back. In 2016, Elyce and Kate returned with Frances Valentine, a line that celebrated the signature style they had built, while pushing it into a new era.
“We thought, ‘We know everything now, this will be easy,’” she says with a smile. “But the landscape had shifted. Technology changed everything. E-commerce became dominant, and influencers replaced editors. It was a whole new world.”
Since Kate’s passing in 2018, Elyce has carried their vision forward, keeping Frances Valentine vibrant and true to its roots. “Katy designed from her heart,” she says softly. “When we lost her, I wanted to honor that. I feel like we have held to her aesthetic: bold, happy, and timeless.” One of the brand’s most touching tributes came in 2019, when Elyce recreated two of Kate’s favorite vintage pieces, a caftan and a sweater, from their shared archives. “People loved them,” she says.
“They wanted more. Soon, they were asking for the skirts, tops, and pants from our campaigns. That is how Frances Valentine became a full lifestyle brand.”
Today, the brand is recognized for its blend of nostalgic colors, saturated prints, and personal touches, including a tiny “XO” stitched on select sleeves. “It is something Katy and I always signed our notes with,” Elyce explains. “It is small, but it makes people smile.”
That happiness-first mindset is the brand’s guiding principle. “Seeing women’s faces light up when they find something that fits perfectly, that is the best part,” she says. “Our motto is ‘Wear what makes you happy,’ and we really mean it. If someone walks out feeling good about themselves, that is a good day.”
Elyce’s new book, We Just Might Make It After All, carries that same spirit. The title, inspired by The Mary Tyler Moore Show theme song, nods to the idea of starting over and believing in yourself, even when life takes unexpected turns. Written as a memoir and a tribute, it reflects on her decades-long friendship with Kate and the lessons learned from building something beautiful together.
“So many people asked about her, why she was the way she was, what our friendship was like. I wanted to talk about how she lived, not how she died.” What began as a personal reflection became a source of comfort for many. “I kept seeing it in people’s reading lists about grief. I never expected that, but knowing it has helped people has been the most meaningful part.”
From her Kansas roots to the color-splashed racks of Frances Valentine stores nationwide, Elyce has always stayed true to what matters most, creating with heart, leading with kindness, and filling the world with joy, one thoughtful stitch at a time.
Find this feature in our VUE Atlanta Holiday Print Issue. Read the print version here.
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