Two popular Wichita stores collaborate to celebrate a well-known former Kansan

In a first for Wichita’s Aspen Boutique and its across-the-street neighbor Watermark Books & Cafe, the two stores are joining forces Monday to hold a combination trunk show and book signing for Sedgwick native Elyce Arons.

Arons is known for co-founding Kate Spade with her former college roommate, the late Katy Spade, as Arons calls her, and then founding the Frances Valentine line of accessories and, eventually, clothing with her.

Most recently, Arons has been on tour to promote her book, “We Just Might Make It After All: My Best Friendship With Kate Spade,” which she’ll talk about at the downtown Rotary lunch on Monday.

Then, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Aspen will host a trunk show at its store at Douglas and Oliver, and Watermark — which is located across the intersection in Lincoln Heights Village — will be on hand to sell books for Arons to sign.

“It’s not often that fashion and books are happening . . . at the same event,” said Aspen owner Allison Baker.

She called the College Hill partnership with Watermark owners Erin and Ryan Potter a natural.

“Watermark and the Potters are good friends of ours at Aspen Boutique.”

Customers can purchase the book through Watermark in advance of the event to make sure to get a copy. Some will be for sale at the event as well.

Aspen is the exclusive retailer for Frances Valentine in Wichita.

Baker said Wichitans aren’t necessarily aware of the brand unless they’ve seen it outside the state, so “we wanted to try to do a little extra,” which is why she wanted to host the trunk show.

Since buying the store in 2021, she’s had jewelry trunk shows but never one for clothing and accessories.

In addition to the Frances Valentine items the store already has, the company is sending extra items for the show that will remain there through May 2.

“So that’ll be nice,” Baker said.

“All of the fashion is arriving (Friday), so it’s all a very quick turn on getting ourselves prepped for the Monday event.”

Baker said she loves to collaborate and is eager to do so again with either Watermark or other local businesses.

In this case, she said she’s happy to welcome a Kansas native “and make sure people have an opportunity to get to know her fashion.”

“We’re super excited about the event.”