K
ate Spade is a name that's
been around since the ear-
ly 1990s and up until re-
cent years, the brand and
its creator were synonymous. But
after selling her company in 2006
and changing her legal surname, the
designer we know and love has re-
turned but this time, as Frances Val-
entine.
A mash-up of monikers derived
from Kate's family history, Frances
Valentine is a passion project start-
ed by Kate, her husband Andy Spade
and two long-time friends and for-
mer Kate Spade colleagues, Paola
Venturi and Elyce Arons. Adhering
to that same quirky, playful aesthet-
ic we fell in love with so many years
ago, Frances Valentine is focusing
all their energy on solely handbags
and shoes—transforming them in
ways that speak to the kind of wom-
an that Kate has now become.
FRANCES VALENTINE
BY ABBY MONTANEZ
VUE ON FASHION
V U E N J . C O M
53
