By Kyle Marie McMahon |
For a generation of women, the first “real” handbag was often a Kate Spade. It might have been the boxy, nylon Sam bag—a simple, structured accessory that signaled you had arrived. It was more than a purse; it was a companion, a colorful piece of the professional, playful, and sophisticated identity you were building. Behind that iconic brand was one of the most celebrated creative partnerships in modern fashion: a decades-long friendship between Kate “Katy” Spade and Elyce Arons.
Together, they built not one, but two iconic brands—first Kate Spade New York, and later, Frances Valentine. Following Katy’s tragic passing, Elyce has carried their shared vision forward as CEO of Frances Valentine, infusing the brand with the color, joy, and vintage-inspired charm they both loved.
Now, in her New York Times bestselling debut book, We Might Just Make It After All, Elyce shares a personal, heartfelt look at their 40-year journey. It’s a story of friendship that feels both cinematic and deeply relatable—a story of creativity, resilience, and building a dream from the ground up. We had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Arons during her Raleigh book tour to discuss the book, the “secret ingredient” to her partnership with Katy, and the art of carrying on a legacy with “warmth, wit, and style.”
Midtown: Congratulations on your debut book, We Might Just Make It After All, landing on the New York Times bestseller list. What was the catalyst for you to write this very personal story now?
Elyce Arons: It was actually my husband, Andy, who encouraged me to finally sit down and write. I started about five years after Katy’s passing because my emotions were still too raw. I didn’t want to let time blur the details, so I waited until I had the courage to capture them all. But once I did, it was unexpectedly healing. I laughed a lot going through old photographs and remembering the celebrations we shared. The laughter, the arguments, and the countless small, ordinary moments shaped nearly 40 years of friendship and partnership.
My goal was to show Katy as she truly was during those vibrant, creative years at Kate Spade and Frances Valentine: curious, kind, fiercely loyal, and full of life. And if someone reading the book sees a reflection of their own experiences, whether it is the thrill of buying something for themselves for the first time or building something alongside someone they love, then Katy’s light lives on.
The title itself is both hopeful and hints at a journey. What does the phrase, “We Might Just Make It After All,” personally mean to you?
Katy and I bonded over our shared love for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the 1970s sitcom which follows Mary Richards. The show opens with the iconic theme song ‘We Might Just Make It After All’, which kickstarts each episode with a boost of optimism and excitement. The title felt fitting, given how far Katy and I came after meeting at KU all those years ago.
The book is a tribute to your decades-long friendship and creative partnership with the late Kate Spade. What do you believe was the secret ingredient to your successful collaboration across two iconic fashion brands?
I’m not suggesting everyone go into business with their best friend, but it certainly worked for us. I wouldn’t say we always put our friendship first, but we knew our bond was so strong that there wasn’t going to be anything to come between us. However, we always tried to put our business hats on when discussing work. It’s easy to get emotional about things, especially with your closest friend. Design is emotional, and it’s very personal, but we always wanted to do the right thing, and we always saw eye to eye on that. I talk about some of our biggest fights in the book, but through it all we definitely laughed more than we fought.
How do you balance sharing these heartfelt personal memories while also carrying on Katy’s incredible legacy through the spirit of Frances Valentine?
When we started Frances Valentine, we made handbags and shoes, because those were Katy’s favorite things to design. We’d only been in business for two years when we lost Katy. As a tribute to her, we created two of her favorite vintage pieces: an embroidered caftan she had worn on every vacation we’d ever taken together, and an embroidered sweater she got at a thrift store decades before. We called it the Love, Katy collection, and it sold out immediately. We made them again. They sold out again and again and again. Our customers kept asking for more apparel, especially the pieces we’d used in our campaigns, which were all the vintage pieces Katy and I had collected over the years. We expanded the collection to include swing coats and cigarette pants, and now it’s a full apparel line. Ultimately, the line was inspired by pieces we had collected together so long ago, so I almost feel she is with me in creating the apparel collection.
You have over 35 years of experience shaping the fashion landscape. For aspiring entrepreneurs who read your book, what is the most important lesson you learned building Kate Spade New York that you carried with you to Frances Valentine?
I always tell aspiring entrepreneurs to start by working for somebody else, someone you really admire. Learn everything you can, meet as many people as you can, and work as hard as you can. You need to know how to do every job function in the company. Get as many hours in as possible, and save your money. Once you start the business, spend as little of your own as possible. Bring on investors or get a financial partner.
The email describing your story mentions carrying on a legacy with “warmth, wit, and style.” How are those three specific elements woven into the DNA of the Frances Valentine brand today?
Katy was such a warm, gracious person, that was really important to the ethos of both brands we started. In the early days when we were hiring for the Kate Spade team, the last line of our ads in Women’s Wear Daily would always be “Must be polite.” At Frances Valentine, we still build our team with that quality in mind, and I think it really shows through our brand, products, and service. We believe personal style is a mood-boosting, conversation-parking, confidence-building celebration of a life well lived. We want our customers to celebrate their own personal style.
Your story is one of incredible friendship, success, and resilience. What advice would you give to women on navigating challenges, both personal and professional, with grace?
Remember that everyone you encounter every day has their own set of challenges. I try to leave every place better than I found it and to do something nice for someone every day. Those things make one know they are part of a community, and it keeps me grounded.
We’re thrilled to have you in Raleigh for your book tour. What are you most looking forward to about connecting with readers and customers here in North Carolina?
I love North Carolina! As readers of the book may already know, I lived there for a couple of years and enjoyed every minute of it. Greensboro and the surrounding cities are full of friendly, kind people, I had a spacious, lovely apartment, and the climate and surroundings are beautiful. I am glad I get to visit one of my favorite states so often.
Reading Elyce’s words, it’s clear this book is more than a memoir; it’s an act of profound love. From her beautiful advice to “leave every place better than I found it” to the memory of the “Love, Katy” caftan that sold out again and again, Elyce paints an intimate picture of a partnership built on a bond that was stronger than any business challenge. We Might Just Make It After All is a perfect read for anyone who has ever had a friend they loved, a dream they chased, or simply needs a welcome “boost of optimism.”
