LIM College Names Elyce Arons as 2026 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient
Elyce Arons, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Frances Valentine • Photo Credit: LIM College
NEW YORK, January 23, 2026 (FASHION BEAUTY SCENE) — Fashion education institution LIM College has announced that fashion executive Elyce Arons, founder and chief executive officer of Frances Valentine, will deliver the keynote address at the college’s 2026 commencement ceremony.
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The ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 17 at 1 p.m. ET at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. In addition to delivering the keynote address, Arons will receive LIM College’s Distinguished Achievement Award and an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree.
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Arons has more than 35 years of experience in the fashion industry. She co-founded Kate Spade New York in 1993 alongside Kate Spade and helped guide the brand from its early stages to international growth. In 2016, Arons, Kate Spade, and Andy Spade launched Frances Valentine, where Arons currently serves as chief executive officer.
In 2025, Arons published the memoir We Might Just Make It After All, which chronicles her professional career and long-standing friendship with Kate Spade. The book debuted on The New York Times Best Seller list.
Arons also serves on the board of the LIM Fashion Education Foundation, which supports scholarships and educational initiatives for LIM College students with financial need. She was named to Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 500 list for 2025, recognizing her leadership and business growth efforts.
“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,” said Ron Marshall, president of LIM College.
For more information, visit www.limcollege.edu.
Source: LIM College
