Kate Spade Co-Founder and Kansas native Elyce Arons

She grew up on a farm in Sedgwick, Kansas, went to the University of Kansas , and ended up co-founding one of the most iconic fashion brands in American history. I sat down with Elyce Arons, Co-founder of Kate Spade, CEO of Frances Valentine, and author of We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade, for a conversation that's equal parts inspiring, heartfelt, and seriously fun.

In this episode, we cover:

• Elyce's Kansas roots growing up on a farm in Sedgwick, vintage shopping in Wichita, and what the Midwest instilled in her
• How she and Kate Brosnahan met at KU (spoiler: they were not alike!)
• The wild early days of building Kate Spade in New York City in the '90s...broke, scrappy, and unstoppable
• What it was like launching a second iconic brand, Frances Valentine, and how it became a tribute to Kate
• Her upcoming Mary Tyler Moore collection and why Mary Tyler Moore is the reason she (and a generation of women) went into journalism
• What she wants every woman to know about best friendship, grief, and taking risks

Whether you're a KU alum, a fashion lover, a Kate Spade fan or a Kansas or Kansas City native, this episode is for you!!

• 📖 We Might Just Make It After All — Amazon
• 👜 Frances Valentine — francesvalentine.com
• 🛍️ Shop Frances Valentine locally at Halls KC
• 📸 Follow Elyce on Instagram: @elycearons
• 🎙️ Follow Kansas City Bucket List: Instagram

If this episode made you call your best friend — share it with her. ❤️

Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!

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