‘‘Mary Benson was born from my genuine passion for dressmaking, timeless historical dressing, and enchanting nostalgic prints.

After completing my studies at the University of Westminster in London, I wasted no time in starting my own business, and had the incredible opportunity to showcase my collections during London Fashion Week. These pivotal moments marked the beginning of my journey into the world of creating seasonal collections. However, after a few years of relentless work and getting to the point of burnout, I realised it was necessary to take a step back and re-evaluate my priorities. I took some time off to regain focus, gain knowledge about sustainability, and slow down the pace of my life. As my mother wisely says, "Don't become so consumed with making a living, that you forget to make a life." During this period, I also found love with Tadgh, who plays an integral role in the Mary Benson brand, and is the father of our beautiful children.

I came to a realisation that I desired a more intimate and slow approach. I yearned to embrace the essence of traditional clothing construction and pay homage to my self-learned skills in print design. My creative journey began by sketching whimsical doodles and transferring them onto previously loved dresses using vinyl prints. Over time, this evolved into designing and making enchanting dresses of my own, initially for personal enjoyment and eventually for others, drawing inspiration from the history of dress. And now, here we are, producing an array of beautiful designs in small batches from our cosy atelier in York with the help of our dedicated team whose wealth of knowledge is in abundance, assisted by an array of outside freelancers.

As a small brand, we embrace a deliberate and thoughtful approach to our work. This means utilising eco-friendly fabrics, practicing responsible production methods, each garment made specifically to order. We make great efforts to use dead-stock materials, rescuing them from ending up in landfill, for you to cherish your Mary Benson treasures endlessly and appreciate the story behind each and every dress. Each item is crafted in limited quantities to maintain our commitment to being small-scale while allowing us the freedom to explore innovative prints and ideas.’’

- Mary Benson

Founder, Creative Director and CEO