Co-founder of Kate Spade to deliver keynote and receive honorary doctorate at LIM college 2026 commencement
loading...
LIM College has announced that Elyce Arons, Founder and CEO of Frances Valentine and co-founder of Kate Spade New York, will deliver the keynote address to the Class of 2026 at the college’s annual commencement ceremony. Arons will also be honoured with an Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree and the institution’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
The ceremony is scheduled for May 17 at 1 p.m. ET at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center in New York City. Arons brings more than three decades of experience in the fashion industry, including building Kate Spade into a globally recognised lifestyle brand and launching Frances Valentine in 2016 alongside Kate and Andy Spade.
Her memoir, We Might Just Make It After All, which reflects on her long professional partnership and friendship with Kate Spade, debuted on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2025. Arons also serves on the board of the LIM Fashion Education Foundation, supporting scholarships and educational enhancements for students.
LIM College President Ron Marshall said Arons exemplifies the creativity and leadership students aspire to as they prepare to enter the fashion and lifestyle industries.