Photo Credit Adam Ward.

SRQ Magazine is proud to announce it will honor iconic fashion entrepreneur Elyce Arons as the recipient of the 2026 Women Who Roar Trailblazer Award at the Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Michael’s On East.

The prestigious Women Who Roar Trailblazer Award recognizes a leading woman whose fearless spirit and groundbreaking contributions have not only shaped her industry but also inspired those who followed. Former award recipients include powerhouse producer Katie Nelson Thomson, USA Today bestselling author and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan Kate White, global model and author Paulina Porizkova, CEO of MiMO Studios Cyma Zarghami, journalist and civil rights activist Dorothy Butler Gilliam, former editor-in-chief Town & Country and Travel & Leisure magazines Pamela Fiori and legendary fashion designer Adrienne Vittadini, among others.

Elyce Arons is the founder and CEO of Frances Valentine, a New York-based luxury apparel and accessories company. Frances Valentine celebrates the power of personal style through clothes and accessories that boost your mood and tell a story.

A 35-year fashion veteran, Elyce knows a thing or two about business and style. She famously chased her passion for fashion all the way from Kansas to New York City alongside her best friend, Kate, and co-founded Kate Spade in 1993. Elyce shepherded the company from inception to international success, growing it into one of the most iconic brands in modern fashion history, and was instrumental in its 2006 sale to Neiman Marcus Group.

In 2016, Elyce, Kate, and Andy Spade launched Frances Valentine as an evolution of their joyful style aesthetic; a brand with heart, soul, and a story to tell. In June 2025, Elyce published her debut memoir, We Might Just Make It After All, which debuted on the New York Times Best Seller list. The book chronicles her decades-long friendship with Kate Spade and the lessons she has learned building two iconic fashion brands.

Elyce has been featured on Good Morning America and The Today Show, and in publications including WWD, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. She lives in NYC with her husband and three daughters. When she is not running a global brand, you will find her gardening, playing tennis, or perusing the colorful stalls of a vintage market.

The 2026 Women Who Roar Trailblazer Award will be presented to Elyce Arons at SRQ Magazine’s 11th Annual Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon, where we will gather to connect, celebrate, and recognize this year’s Women Who Roar Award Honorees.

Event Details: SRQ Magazine’s 11th Annual Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon, Friday, November 6, 2026, Michael's On East Ballroom, 1212 S. East Avenue, Sarasota, Pop-Up Boutiques + Check-in: 10:30am, Luncheon Program: 11:30am to 1:30pm. For sponsorship opportunities, table reservations, tickets, or more information about SRQ Magazine’s Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon, please visit srqmagazine.com/wwrluncheon. Contact Lauren Sutter for details, lauren.sutter@srqme.com.

Photo Credit Adam Ward.