What Was Kate Spade Really Like? Let Her Best Friend Tell You.
Kate Spade was one name, but there were four people behind the brand at its inception. In her new book
In
We Might Just Make It After All
, Arons gets at the thrills of building a brand, the joy of working with Brosnahan, and all the glamour of the '90s in New York. She's also honest about the terror of starting a business with no experience and the surreal feeling of overnight success. It was incredibly fun and also unbelievably stressful.
'When Katy won the CFDA Award [for Accessory Designer of the Year
To write the book, Arons paged through years of calendars and mined old memories, some of which were painful. She spoke with ELLE.com about her days being broke in New York, handling the massive success of Kate Spade, and what she hopes the world remembers about Katy.
Courtesy of Elyce Arons
Arons and Spade.
What was it like to look at back at this business you built
from the ground-up
with your best friend?
We always wanted to have a business together in college, but all we had as far as experience goes were waitressing and bartending jobs. We always thought, 'Okay, well maybe we'll start a travel agency.' We had no experience in it, so what were we thinking? But we were 19, 20 years old.
We graduated and I moved to New York. Katy eventually made her way to New York, and we both started working in the fashion business in different roles. Then, Andy Spade and Katy called me one night and said, 'Okay, we know what we're going to do. We're going to have a handbag company.'
For me, it was a little scary financially [to leave my full-time job]. Luckily, I had no responsibilities besides paying my rent and feeding myself. I didn't have a pet, I didn't have a houseplant at that point, so it seemed like the perfect time for me to be able to do it. At that age I think you're game for new experiences and different things. So, I quit my job, and we started.
'I want to call her every day. There are so many times during the week when I just want to pick up the phone because only she would remember that time or understand.'
We worked out of their apartment on Warren Street for about two years. There was no air conditioning. The elevator, if it was on somebody else's floor, you had to call their apartment to say, 'Bring it up.' Or you'd ring and finally somebody would come with it. It was just a constant hassle. But you didn't think about it back then. We couldn't afford to really go to the copy shop and get copies made. So, we did a lot of stuff ourselves.
We were very scrappy with everything we did, but it was fun. At the end of the day, we would spend our money on a six-pack of Heineken and take it to our contractor, rather than go buy dinner with it. We were there until 10:00 at night. It was fun. We were so broke, but it's almost like when you have nothing to lose, you have nothing to lose.
What was it like working with your best friend? Were there challenges?
If you're mad about something, you're going to say the meanest thing to that person that you never would do in a professional setting with anybody else, but at the same time, we probably laughed more than we thought.
In the book you're very honest about some of the tensions you experienced in the company. I'm sure people looked at it like you had this extraordinary growth, and you were working with your friends so things must be perfect. But what was it like to see something just skyrocket in popularity so quickly?
It was unbelievable. Never in your wildest dreams could something like that happen. It's like winning the lottery, where you just can't believe it. Things happened incrementally over several years. It just seemed like there was always great news around the corner, something that was always happening with us, whether it was Bergdorf Goodman taking our bags, or finding some really great specialty stores around the country that Katy and I always dreamed about being in.
Courtesy of Elyce Arons
Spade and Arons as sorority sisters at University of Kansas.
Your book really gets into the complexity of Katy. I think that she was someone who people so associated with jubilance, happiness, and excitement. But you show how she was always shyer, more reticent, and more press-shy than what we saw. What was it like to see the difference between the real person and this identity of the brand that people put on her?
At the beginning when Andy came up with the name, Katy said to all of us in the room, 'Don't expect me to be Kate Spade.' She never wanted to be at the forefront, but she took it on really well, and she did a great job of it. Every time before she had to make a public appearance, she was steeling herself. She got so good at it. She was really a smart person and always was very thoughtful about what she said, and she understood the brand better than anybody.
As a person she was funny and mischievous and hysterical. Everybody wanted to be her best friend. I was lucky. There [were] times when [she was] down. I've never felt depression before, so I couldn't understand the depths of how she was feeling on those certain days. The next day, she could be her jubilant, funny, joyful self. I don't think anyone who's lost someone in that way can ever answer the
why
, because I don't think there is a why. It's a disease. And those of us who don't have it should feel very lucky.
We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade
Was it difficult to revisit memories for the book?
There were some that were difficult. Some of them were even the happiest times we had, because I can't call her today and say, 'Oh, my God, do you remember that?' I want to call her every day. There are so many times during the week when I just want to pick up the phone because only she would remember
that time or understand.
What do you hope people learn about her from the book?
Because she was so private, so many people didn't get to know her. But when she was in a more intimate setting with a group of customers at a department store, those people got to see her and got to know who she really was. She was so personal and so fun, and I just think that that's what people should remember about her, those funny, great times and the clever girl I knew and not how she left us.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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11 hours ago
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What Happened to Kate Spade? This New Memoir Sheds Light on the Designer's Glamorous Life and Personal Demons
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Kate Spade left behind a trailblazing legacy in the fashion industry, and her preppy designs have been beloved by everyone from Taylor Swift to Kerry Washington and Mindy Kaling. Now, her longtime friend and former business partner has written a new book that captures the heart of their bond and the story behind their shared success. More from Rolling Stone How to Watch Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final Game 6 Online The One in Vegas: 'Friends' Arrives on Las Vegas Strip With New Interactive Fan Experience How to Watch the Oregon State vs. Louisville CWS Re-Match Online $26.96 $28.99 7% off Buy Now On Amazon $28.99 Buy Now on barnes & noble Titled We Might Just Make It After All, the 304-page memoir — released today — is authored by Elyce Arons, an entrepreneur, writer, and co-founder of the Kate Spade brand. Arons met Spade during their college years at the University of Kansas, and from that point on, the two were inseparable, both personally and professionally. This book offers an intimate look at their friendship, the building of a fashion empire, and what it was like to grow up together in New York City. 'We Might Just Make It After All brings us on the rollercoaster of adventures (and misadventures) that the best friends embarked on, from transferring colleges on a whim, to falling in and out of love with suitors, cramming into roach-infested Hell's Kitchen apartments, and eventually designing the chic, simple bag that would launch the pair to global fame,' an official Amazon description of the book states. This story is a powerful read for anyone who has admired Kate Spade's work over the years, has an interest in fashion, or is navigating their own journey through grief (Spade died from suicide in 2018), and is looking for comforting words from someone who's faced a similar loss. $26.96 $28.99 7% off Buy Now On Amazon $28.99 Buy Now on barnes & noble 'This book is not only a deep dive into what it takes to persevere and achieve hard-earned success as female entrepreneurs, but it is also a beautiful portrayal of the complexities of female friendship and the joy, the struggle and power of a deep connection between two unique women, ' said New York Times Best-Selling Author, Brooke Shields, in a review listed on Amazon. 'Elyce's storytelling and relatable characters made me laugh, cry, and reflect on my own friendships. At its core, the book explores profound love and loss, and the story will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I could not put it down.' You can pick up the hardcover on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for under $30. And If you're craving more Kate Spade, shop some of our favorite handbags from the brand — or check out Frances Valentine, the designer's other label, now led by Elyce Arons as CEO. Best of Rolling Stone The Best Audiophile Turntables for Your Home Audio System
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12 hours ago
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Elyce Arons, Cofounder and CEO of Frances Valentine, Reflects on Friendship With Kate Spade, Success of Frances Valentine and New Book
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Andy Spade, Kate's husband, is Arons' business partner. While Arons stayed pretty low profile in the ensuing years, the business has been experiencing some impressive gains. Frances Valentine, which has mostly focused on the direct-to-consumer channel, is up 40 percent this year, according to Arons. Frances Valentine's e-commerce is up 284 percent this month-to-date. After COVID-19, Frances Valentine launched the apparel division and brought in a new vice president, who came from Zanella. Today, Frances Valentine sells such retailers as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom (all online), as well as Dillards, where it's available in-store, as well as and the brand's freestanding stores. She declined to disclose the company's volume figure. At present, apparel represents 60 percent of the business, and accessories account for 40 percent. She explained that the business has been primarily e-commerce-driven since they started. They now have nine retail stores, which have been doing well. The breakdown is now 50 percent e-commerce, 30 percent retail and 20 percent wholesale. 'And wholesale and retail are growing really fast,' said Arons. Frances Valentine's nine stores are on Madison Avenue and 73rd Street; Sag Harbor, N.Y.; Dallas; Houston; Palm Beach and Naples, Fla.; Birmingham, Ala.; Atlanta, and Alexandria, Va. Cities they're considering for expansion are Nashville; Charlotte, N.C., and Chicago, as well as various cities in California. Describing the Frances Valentine customer, Arons said, 'I think it's a woman who really appreciates individual style. She likes to wear color, and I think that's why a lot of our business is concentrated in the South, and she likes prints. And there's a nostalgic feel to our brand because Katy [Spade] and I were such huge vintage shoppers. We just created these silhouettes that are pieces that you buy today and you want to pull out of your closet 10 years from now, and not feel like it's out of style. They're not trend driven at all. We're the opposite of fast fashion.' Arons said she like to describe the line as 'modern vintage.' 'We put pockets in everything. We make sizes from extra small up to extra large,' she said. Arons said she's part of the three-person design team. While Arons said she doesn't sketch, she said they always 'make what we like.' Arons said they took an eight-year break before they launched Frances Valentine. 'So when we came back, we were like, 'we know how to do this,' We'll do the whole thing again.' But she said that when they sold Kate Spade, they didn't have much of an e-commerce business, and it was just one person sitting in a corner doing e-commerce. 'So when we started Frances Valentine, we knew we had to build data. What we didn't realize was how much the wholesale business had changed and e-commerce had taken over so much, and how influencers had taken over from editors.' The business started in 2014 and was launched in 2016. William McComb, former CEO of Liz Claiborne Inc. (renamed Fifth & Pacific Cos.), is a board adviser. The company makes their collections all over the world. The handbags are made in Italy and Asia, the knits are done in Peru, the denim is made in Turkey and the wovens in India. They also produce some things in the U.S. The sweet spot for dresses is $398. Turning to opportunities for Frances Valentine, Arons said they just had a very successful collaboration with Caddis eyewear, which sold out in 48 hours. They're looking into licensing deals for jewelry, footwear, fragrance, eyewear and home. Best of WWD Macy's Is Closing 66 Stores in 2025 — Here's the List, Live Updates Inside the Demise of Lord & Taylor COVID-19 Spikes Elevate Retail Concerns
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13 hours ago
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What Was Kate Spade Really Like? Let Her Best Friend Tell You.
Kate Spade was one name, but there were four people behind the brand at its inception. In her new book In We Might Just Make It After All , Arons gets at the thrills of building a brand, the joy of working with Brosnahan, and all the glamour of the '90s in New York. She's also honest about the terror of starting a business with no experience and the surreal feeling of overnight success. It was incredibly fun and also unbelievably stressful. 'When Katy won the CFDA Award [for Accessory Designer of the Year To write the book, Arons paged through years of calendars and mined old memories, some of which were painful. She spoke with about her days being broke in New York, handling the massive success of Kate Spade, and what she hopes the world remembers about Katy. Courtesy of Elyce Arons Arons and Spade. What was it like to look at back at this business you built from the ground-up with your best friend? We always wanted to have a business together in college, but all we had as far as experience goes were waitressing and bartending jobs. We always thought, 'Okay, well maybe we'll start a travel agency.' We had no experience in it, so what were we thinking? But we were 19, 20 years old. We graduated and I moved to New York. Katy eventually made her way to New York, and we both started working in the fashion business in different roles. Then, Andy Spade and Katy called me one night and said, 'Okay, we know what we're going to do. We're going to have a handbag company.' For me, it was a little scary financially [to leave my full-time job]. Luckily, I had no responsibilities besides paying my rent and feeding myself. I didn't have a pet, I didn't have a houseplant at that point, so it seemed like the perfect time for me to be able to do it. At that age I think you're game for new experiences and different things. So, I quit my job, and we started. 'I want to call her every day. There are so many times during the week when I just want to pick up the phone because only she would remember that time or understand.' We worked out of their apartment on Warren Street for about two years. There was no air conditioning. The elevator, if it was on somebody else's floor, you had to call their apartment to say, 'Bring it up.' Or you'd ring and finally somebody would come with it. It was just a constant hassle. But you didn't think about it back then. We couldn't afford to really go to the copy shop and get copies made. So, we did a lot of stuff ourselves. We were very scrappy with everything we did, but it was fun. At the end of the day, we would spend our money on a six-pack of Heineken and take it to our contractor, rather than go buy dinner with it. We were there until 10:00 at night. It was fun. We were so broke, but it's almost like when you have nothing to lose, you have nothing to lose. What was it like working with your best friend? Were there challenges? If you're mad about something, you're going to say the meanest thing to that person that you never would do in a professional setting with anybody else, but at the same time, we probably laughed more than we thought. In the book you're very honest about some of the tensions you experienced in the company. I'm sure people looked at it like you had this extraordinary growth, and you were working with your friends so things must be perfect. But what was it like to see something just skyrocket in popularity so quickly? It was unbelievable. Never in your wildest dreams could something like that happen. It's like winning the lottery, where you just can't believe it. Things happened incrementally over several years. It just seemed like there was always great news around the corner, something that was always happening with us, whether it was Bergdorf Goodman taking our bags, or finding some really great specialty stores around the country that Katy and I always dreamed about being in. Courtesy of Elyce Arons Spade and Arons as sorority sisters at University of Kansas. Your book really gets into the complexity of Katy. I think that she was someone who people so associated with jubilance, happiness, and excitement. But you show how she was always shyer, more reticent, and more press-shy than what we saw. What was it like to see the difference between the real person and this identity of the brand that people put on her? At the beginning when Andy came up with the name, Katy said to all of us in the room, 'Don't expect me to be Kate Spade.' She never wanted to be at the forefront, but she took it on really well, and she did a great job of it. Every time before she had to make a public appearance, she was steeling herself. She got so good at it. She was really a smart person and always was very thoughtful about what she said, and she understood the brand better than anybody. As a person she was funny and mischievous and hysterical. Everybody wanted to be her best friend. I was lucky. There [were] times when [she was] down. I've never felt depression before, so I couldn't understand the depths of how she was feeling on those certain days. The next day, she could be her jubilant, funny, joyful self. I don't think anyone who's lost someone in that way can ever answer the why , because I don't think there is a why. It's a disease. And those of us who don't have it should feel very lucky. We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade Was it difficult to revisit memories for the book? There were some that were difficult. Some of them were even the happiest times we had, because I can't call her today and say, 'Oh, my God, do you remember that?' I want to call her every day. There are so many times during the week when I just want to pick up the phone because only she would remember that time or understand. What do you hope people learn about her from the book? Because she was so private, so many people didn't get to know her. But when she was in a more intimate setting with a group of customers at a department store, those people got to see her and got to know who she really was. She was so personal and so fun, and I just think that that's what people should remember about her, those funny, great times and the clever girl I knew and not how she left us. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Related Stories
