Mary Frances | Designer Handbags, Woman-Owned Brand & Artisan Accessories
Meet Mary Frances
Mary Frances is a San Francisco Bay Area–born designer, entrepreneur, and the creative force behind one of fashion's most distinctive accessories brands. For more than 30 years, she has transformed hand embellishment into a global art form — building a women-owned and operated company that reaches customers and retail partners around the world.
Growing up immersed in the Bay Area's vibrant cultural landscape, Mary Frances developed an early, instinctive love for artistry, color, and storytelling through design. That passion has never wavered. Today, every handbag, crossbody, clutch, and accessory she creates is a wearable expression of joy — where fashion meets personality and no two pieces feel ordinary.
The Brand
Mary Frances Accessories is known for hand-beaded, hand-embellished designer handbags and accessories that fuse whimsy with elegance, and femininity with functionality. Collections span playful animals, enchanting florals, novelty themes, travel, Western, and special occasion styles — each piece crafted as a statement, not just a bag.
Mary Frances bags are carried by women who want to be noticed, start conversations, and wear something that truly reflects who they are. From boutique gift shops to international retailers, the brand is recognized globally for its signature embellishment work, artisan craftsmanship, and irresistible personality.
Recognition & Awards
Mary Frances Accessories has earned industry recognition at the highest levels:
- 5-Time Inc. 500/5000 Recipient — Named among America's fastest-growing private companies by Inc. Magazine
- Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses in the Bay Area — Recognized for over 10 consecutive years
- MACEF Design Award Winner — International recognition for design excellence
- Dallas Fashion Award Winner — Honored for outstanding contribution to fashion accessories
These honors reflect not just business growth, but a brand built with intention — one that has competed and thrived across decades, market shifts, and evolving consumer tastes.
Artisan Partnerships & Ethical Craftsmanship
Every Mary Frances piece is made by hand. Behind each bag is a network of skilled artisans — global partners selected for their craftsmanship, integrity, and shared values. Mary Frances works exclusively with production partners who meet rigorous, ethical and labor standards. Ensuring that every person involved in creating her products works with dignity, fair compensation, and pride in their craft.
Mary Frances travels regularly to visit her artisan partners. These aren't just supplier visits — they are reunions with the people who bring her vision to life. That relationship-first approach is woven into the DNA of the brand.
Philanthropy & Environmental Commitment
Mary Frances Accessories believes that doing business responsibly means giving back — to people, to communities, and to the planet.
🌳 Trees for the Future (TREES) With every order placed on MaryFrances.com, the brand plants a tree through Trees for the Future. To date, Mary Frances Accessories has planted 38,166 trees — contributing to global reforestation efforts that help end hunger and poverty by training farmers to regenerate degraded land.
TREES mission is to end hunger and poverty by training farmers to regenerate their land. Learn More at trees.org
🦍 Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Mary Frances Accessories has adopted three gorillas — infant Duhuze, mother Akaramata, and daughter Kazenza — supporting the fund's mission to protect gorillas and the communities that live near them.
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is dedicated to continuing Dian’s work – protecting gorillas while helping and educating the people who live near them. Learn more at gorillafund.org
💚 Kiva Through Kiva, Mary Frances Accessories funds microloans to women entrepreneurs worldwide — helping underserved women access the resources they need to improve their lives and communities.
Kiva is an international nonprofit that believes in financial access for all. Their mission is to expand financial access to help underserved communities thrive by crowdfunding zero or low-interest loans. Learn More at Kiva.org
🧠 NAMI — National Alliance on Mental Illness Mary Frances Accessories proudly supports NAMI, the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization, in its mission to build better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
The Mission
Mary Frances's mission has always been the same: to keep the art of hand workmanship alive, to celebrate individual style, and to build a brand that does good in the world. With the support of her family, her team, and her global artisan family, she continues designing accessories that bring joy to everyone who carries them.
When you shop Mary Frances, you're not just buying a handbag. You're supporting women-owned business, ethical artisan labor, global reforestation, and a designer who has spent 30+ years proving that fashion can be both fabulous and meaningful.
Shop Mary Frances Accessories
Explore hand-beaded handbags, crossbody bags, clutches, evening bags, charms, and more at maryfrances.com.
Free domestic shipping on orders over $200. A tree planted with every order.