Dear Frances, the luxury British footwear label best known for its Balla mesh ballet flats, has added handbags to its product line-up for the first time.

They’re available directly from its own webstore with prices ranging from £495 up to £1,250.

Founder and creative director Jane Frances said that “expanding into handbags feels like a natural progression at this moment, [with] silhouettes that can be worn season after season and that feel and look better with time.

“We strongly believe in reverting back to quality, long-lasting styles. This collection is a reflection of that vision”.

The launch is the outcome of an 18-month collaboration with “one of Italy’s finest factories” and is happening via two mini collections aligned to seasonal textures.

It features six silhouettes including the Arturo box bag, Gio small tote, Como medium tote, Mari small crossbody, Celo medium crossbody and the multi-faceted Dante weave bucket bag.

The company described the pieces as “minimalist luxury”.

It added that “each style has a considered function behind its design. Hidden magnetic closures, buttery leather linings and understated hardware make for day to evening versatility with an ease of elegance”. There are also decorative golden chain options.

The brand was founded in 2016 by Frances and her husband Scott O’Connor, with a focus on “understated integrity and conscious production of styles that are made to endure, both physically and aesthetically”.

It takes inspiration from “the worlds of fine art, human form and sculpture”.