LIM College, located in New York City and focused on the business of fashion and lifestyle, has announced that Elyce Arons, founder and CEO of Frances Valentine, will deliver the keynote address to the class of 2026 at the college’s annual commencement exercises. Arons will also receive the college’s distinguished achievement award and an honorary doctor of commercial science degree.
A 35-year fashion industry veteran, Arons famously chased her passion for fashion from Kansas to New York City alongside her best friend, Kate Spade, and together they founded Kate Spade New York in 1993. Arons helped shepherd the company from its inception to international success, growing it into one of the most iconic brands in modern fashion history.
In 2016, Arons, Kate Spade and her husband, Andy Spade, launched Frances Valentine as an evolution of their chic, joyful style aesthetic. Today, Arons serves as Frances Valentine’s chief executive officer.
In June of last year, Arons published a memoir, “We Might Just Make It After All,” which debuted on the New York Times bestseller list. The book chronicles her decades-long friendship with Kate Spade and the lessons she has learned through building two iconic fashion brands.
Arons is also a member of the board of the LIM Fashion Education Foundation (FEF), which provides scholarships and educational enhancements to LIM College students with financial need and connects leaders in fashion with rising stars. She was named to the Inc. Magazine “Female Founders 500” list for 2025, which noted her continued success in expanding Frances Valentine and striking innovative retail collaborations and partnerships.
Ron Marshall, president of LIM College, said, “Elyce is a force of nature whose more than three decades of brilliant success in fashion stand as a testament to what is possible when you have a dream, an unwavering commitment to the essence of your brand, and bring constant innovation and hard work to the table. These are all attributes that LIM College students hear about every day inside and outside the classroom, and they will be excited and inspired to hear from Elyce at commencement. She is a true role model not only due to her incredible business success, but also to her involvement in giving back to the next generation of fashion talent.”
