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In an interview withGood Morning Americaon Thursday, Arons shared details of their relationship and how Spade communicated her struggles — which was tragically not often, according to the Frances Valentine co-founder.
Susan Kaufman
And even though the two friends met in college at the University of Kansas and became inseparable almost immediately, Arons shared that Spade still didn’t open up to her about her personal struggles.
“It was tough because she didn’t always say it,” Aarons reflected. “She’d be sad and then one minute later she’d make a joke. We talked every day, and most of the time she was very happy, but I don’t know if anyone can understand the depths of depression of another person.”
When asked the one thing she’d like to know most about her business partner’s death, Arons responded, “It’s why. I’ve thought and thought and thought about it, but I think it was probably one moment of despair, of deep sadness, she felt while she was alone. I can’t answer what that was.”
Arons also discussed the future ofFrances Valentine, which she co-founded with Spade and Spade’s husband, Andy, 10 years after the couple sold their eponymous company. Simply put, Arons is determined to keep her friend’s designs alive.
“We’ve had a lot of people write in and talk about how she had changed their lives and, ‘Please keep going and keep her designs alive,’ and that’s what we’re gonna do,” she said, adding, “We miss her every day. Her spirit is here.”
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Speculating about how Spade would feel about the upcoming Frances Valentine fall collection, Arons shared, “I think she would be thrilled, I think she would be really happy to continue to make other women happy… She’d say, ‘I’m okay, don’t worry about me.’ ” (In June, Arons confirmed toBusiness InsiderthatSpade left behind four seasons of completed workprior to her death.)
Kate, whoseiconic brandmade her name synonymous with style, died at age 55 on June 5, 2018.
RELATED VIDEO: Kate Spade, 55, Found Dead in N.Y.C. Apartment from Apparent Suicide
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The couple had been married for 24 years and shared one daughterFrances Beatrix, 13. The duo co-founded Kate Spade New York in 1993, sold the company in 2006, and launched Frances Valentine, along with Arons, in 2016.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to theCrisis Text Lineat 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
