Elyce Arons from Crafting Kate Spade to Launching Frances Valentine | Emily Blumenthal & Elyce Arons

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons

✨ A re-release of one of our favorite episodes! Step into the heart of New York’s fashion legacy with Elyce Arons, co-founder of Kate Spade and Frances Valentine, as she shares the remarkable story behind one of the most iconic handbag brands of all time. 👜💫 From rural Kansas roots to building a global fashion empire alongside her best friend, the late Katie Brosnahan (aka Kate Spade), this episode is a love letter to friendship, creativity, and fearless entrepreneurship.

🎨 Elyce brings us behind the seams—where construction paper mockups, vintage flea market treasures, and unwavering vision laid the foundation for a brand that redefined handbag design. From building Kate Spade from scratch to honoring Kate’s legacy with Frances Valentine, this is a powerful journey of reinvention and staying true to what matters most. 💖🧵

💡 Key Takeaways
🔹 Start with Heart: How $35k and a bold idea became a household name.
🔹 Vintage Vibes, Modern Magic: Turning old-school inspiration into timeless design.
🔹 Legacy & Love: Creating the next chapter with purpose, passion, and friendship.

🎧 Tune in for an inside look at how two best friends changed the way the world carries style—one bag at a time.

#HandbagDesigner101 #KateSpade #FrancesValentine #FemaleFounders #FashionIcons #BehindTheBag #EntrepreneurLife #StyleWithSubstance

👤 Our Guest: Elyce Arons is the CEO and co-founder of Frances Valentine and one of the original creative forces behind Kate Spade. Her journey is proof that great design, meaningful partnerships, and staying true to your vision never go out of style.

Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands.

Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at emilyblumenthal.com.

Buy Emily’s Books: “Handbag Designer 101” & “

Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner

TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

Fejezetek

1. Elyce Arons from Crafting Kate Spade to Launching Frances Valentine | Emily Blumenthal & Elyce Arons (00:00:00)

2. The Night of Hand-Sewn Labels (00:00:28)

3. Kansas Roots to Fashion Dreams (00:15:38)

4. Growing Beyond Handbags (00:19:04)

5. Birth of the Kate Spade Brand (00:30:28)

6. Creating Frances Valentine's New Identity (00:34:16)

7. Moving Forward After Loss (00:42:45)

8. The First Trade Show Success (00:51:58)