In 2020, The Mrs. Clutch, a luxury, woman-owned brand selling handcrafted bridal clutches, launched a “Two Brides” program in honor of Pride Month. Using the code, twobrides, LGBTQ+ couples could receive 50 percent off of a second clutch throughout the month of June.
But as founder Maria Caruso-Martin began to work with more LGBTQ+ couples, she realized the promotion could become something more.
“In February of 2021, we participated in an amazing LGBTQ+ styled shoot,” she said, “and it was during that incredible shoot that I decided the LGBTQ+ community should be recognized 365 days a year, not just during Pride Month.”
Caruso-Martin didn’t want The Mrs. Clutch to be a company that only stands up for the LGBTQ+ community in June. After all, LGBTQ+ couples get married year-round.
So in May 2021, she officially made the “Two Brides” program permanent. The discount is now available all year long so LGBTQ+ brides—and anyone else who wants to carry a clutch—can always feel celebrated.
And that’s not the only way The Mrs. Clutch honors LGBTQ+ love.
Every handbag purchased from The Mrs. Clutch comes with a “good luck” charm of the customer’s choosing. Included in the options is a charm that reads, “Love is Love”. There is even a dedicated page on the website both promoting the charm and also clearly stating the company’s support of LGBTQ+ rights.
“We firmly believe that everyone has the right to marry the person they love,” the page reads. “We promote, protect and defend equality for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.”
According to Caruso-Martin, strong support for LGBTQ+ couples has always been part of the company’s core mission.
“I wanted brides of every shape, color, religion and sexual orientation to identify with the brand and feel welcome,” she said. “The LGBTQ+ community is especially dear to my heart because of my cousin, who is gay. We have shared a special bond since childhood and he has supported my dream of launching The Mrs. Clutch from day one. I wanted to spread more love amongst the LGBTQ+ community as a gesture to him and his partner of 19 years.”
In the future, Caruso-Martin also hopes to introduce products for grooms. Just as two brides are better than one, she said, so too, are two grooms.
The Mrs. Clutch collection is designed for customers to use both during their weddings and for any special occasion afterward. Each handbag is designed in limited quantities so it truly feels like one-of-a-kind.
With every purchase of a clutch, the company also donates $10 to VOW, an organization fighting to end child marriage.
Caruso-Martin emphasized that the company will never cease its vocal support for the LGBTQ+ community.
“The bond of love and commitment is part of the human experience,” she said. “It knows no gender. We are all part of a community simply known as ‘human’ and all humans have the right to choose who they marry. We will continue to support love and the LGBTQ+ communities and their rights to be equally wed.”
