Where Are Parker Clay Bags Made?
Introducing Parker Clay
Parker Clay is a lifestyle brand that creates high-quality leather bags and accessories. The company was founded in 2013 by Ian Bentley and Matt Rist with the mission of empowering vulnerable women in Ethiopia through sustainable job creation (https://www.parkerclay.com/pages/our-story).
Parker Clay’s products are handmade by women artisans in Ethiopia using premium leather and high-end hardware. While providing jobs and vocational training, Parker Clay maintains exceptional standards for its luxury leather goods. The brand has expanded from a small startup to an established company with international reach and recognition for its social impact (https://www.parkerclay.com/pages/about-us).
At the core of Parker Clay is a dedication to both quality craftsmanship and social consciousness. Each handcrafted bag supports sustainable employment for women in need. As an artisanal accessory brand with a charitable mission, Parker Clay aims to empower vulnerable communities while producing high-end leather products by hand.
Handcrafted Bags with a Purpose
Parker Clay was founded in 2016 by Ian Bentley and Brittany Kartchner with the mission to empower women through handcrafting sustainable leather goods. The brand aims to create ethically-made luxury bags while providing employment and skills training for at-risk women in Ethiopia.
Parker Clay partners with workers in Ethiopia, many of whom are victimized by issues like human trafficking, extreme poverty, lack of education, and more. The brand helps provide safe jobs, fair wages, benefits, and skills development so these women can work with dignity and hope.
Today, Parker Clay employs over 100 women in Ethiopia handcrafting each bag from start to finish. The meticulous process can take weeks per bag, during which the artisans are able to support themselves and their families. Parker Clay reinvests over 20% of profits back into social impact programs for their artisans.
“We believe dignified work is a human right,” states the Parker Clay website. “Our thoughtful designs paired with our responsible business model work to empower women toward freedom.” The brand aims to continue expanding their social impact through sustainable fashion.
Sources:
https://www.parkerclay.com/pages/about-us
Origins in Ethiopia
Parker Clay was founded in 2013 by Ian and Brittany Bentley when they moved to Ethiopia to work in international development. While living in Ethiopia, they were inspired by the beautiful local leather and traditional handcrafting traditions. This led them to partner with Ethiopian artisans to make high-quality leather bags and provide sustainable job opportunities in Ethiopia.
Parker Clay works closely with skilled artisans in Ethiopia who handcraft each of their bags using traditional techniques. The artisans are paid fair living wages, work reasonable hours, and have access to benefits like healthcare. Parker Clay has also invested in the community by building a production facility in Ethiopia in 2018, which provides jobs and economic growth.
By partnering with local Ethiopian artisans, Parker Clay is able to produce high-quality leather goods while empowering communities and preserving traditional craftsmanship. Their origins in Ethiopia are an integral part of their brand’s ethos of creating handcrafted bags that make a difference.
Expanding Production
While Parker Clay was founded in Ethiopia, the company has expanded production to other countries in recent years. In 2020, Parker Clay opened a production facility in Cuernavaca, Mexico. According to the Parker Clay website, the Cuernavaca workshop employs 20 local artisans and helps provide job opportunities for the community.
Additionally, Parker Clay has partnered with a workshop in Vietnam to produce some of their small leather goods and accessories. The Vietnam facility specializes in detailed stitching and engraving work. Expanding to Mexico and Vietnam has allowed Parker Clay to scale production and bring their high-quality leather goods to more customers around the world.
However, Ethiopia remains the heart of Parker Clay’s production. Most of their premium leather bags are still handcrafted at their original workshop in Addis Ababa. The company is committed to growing production in Ethiopia and providing employment opportunities there. The expansion to Mexico and Vietnam complements their Ethiopian workshop rather than replacing it.
Handcrafting Process
Each Parker Clay bag is meticulously handcrafted by artisans in the company’s Ethiopian workshop using premium materials and quality hardware (1). The art of leathercraft has been passed down through generations in Ethiopia, and Parker Clay utilizes these time-honored techniques.
The process begins with ethically sourced leather from local Ethiopian tanneries that meet the company’s standards. Skilled craftsmen cut each leather hide by hand, carefully selecting the placement to minimize waste. The bag parts are then prepared including stitching, punching holes, adding hardware, and preparing lining. Finally, the pieces are brought together by hand and artfully stitched with waxed thread to create the finished bag.
The small workshop environment allows for meticulous quality control checks at each step by the craftsmen themselves. This hands-on process with an eye for detail enables Parker Clay to ensure each sustainable leather bag meets their high standards for quality and integrity.
Quality and Sustainability
Parker Clay emphasizes quality and sustainability in every part of their production process. The brand’s handbags are made using premium ethically sourced leather from food industry cows in Ethiopia and Mexico (1). This sourcing has a minimal environmental impact and supports local agriculture and economies. Parker Clay tanneries use vegetable dyes and processes that avoid harmful chemicals (2).
The artisans who handcraft each Parker Clay bag in Ethiopia are paid fair wages and work reasonable hours in ethical conditions. The company partners with charitable organizations like Mercy Corps to support community development. Parker Clay aims to empower its artisans through safe, rewarding employment.
Overall, through its supply chain oversight and production standards, Parker Clay maintains exceptional quality while promoting sustainability, animal welfare, local businesses, and artisan welfare.
Bag Styles and Collections
Parker Clay offers a wide range of stylish and functional bag designs to suit different needs and preferences. Their core collection focuses on minimalist, versatile bags that can be used in many scenarios, while limited edition collections allow them to experiment with new materials, colors, and silhouettes. Some of Parker Clay’s most popular bag styles and collections include:
The Standard Collection features Parker Clay’s signature simple, structured styles like the Utility Backpack, Rolltop Backpack, and Zipper Tote. These clean-lined bags come in neutral colors like black, tan, olive green, and nautical blue.
The Joseph Tote is Parker Clay’s reimagined classic tote shape, featuring a wider opening and longer straps designed for over-the-shoulder wear. It comes in full-grain and pebbled leather.
Limited edition collections allow Parker Clay to offer new takes on their core silhouettes each season. Examples include the Earth Collection, made from natural jute and leather in earthy hues, and the Metallic Collection featuring bags with a subtle metallic sheen.
Customization allows customers to put their own stamp on select bag styles. Customization options include different leather types, monogramming, and contrasting straps and accents. This makes each Parker Clay bag unique.
No matter the material or silhouette, Parker Clay bags share consistent traits like clean lines, minimal hardware, strong craftsmanship and a timeless sensibility. The collections offer diverse options while maintaining Parker Clay’s pared-back aesthetic and ethically-made quality.
Materials and Customization
Parker Clay handbags are meticulously crafted using high quality materials like leather and canvas [1]. The leather used in many of their designs is full grain leather sourced from Ethiopia. Full grain leather develops a beautiful patina over time and is valued for its durability. The leather is dyed using natural dyes and conditioned multiple times for softness.
In addition to leather, Parker Clay uses durable canvas for certain styles like the Campus Backpack. The canvas is lightweight yet sturdy, making it ideal for everyday use. According to co-founder Matt Badger, the canvas is sourced from Fair Trade vendors and produced using methods that aim to reduce environmental impact [2].
Customers can choose to customize certain Parker Clay bags with their name or initials. The personalization options add a unique touch. For example, the Signature Tote can be embroidered with your name or initials in a complementary thread color [3]. This personalization makes the high quality bags even more special.
Where To Buy
Parker Clay bags are available from a variety of online and brick-and-mortar retailers. Here are some of the best places to shop for Parker Clay:
Online
The official Parker Clay website is the best place to buy online directly from the brand. The full range of Parker Clay bags, accessories, and customization options are available on their site. Shipping is available worldwide.
Parker Clay bags can also be found on many major online retailers including:
- Amazon – A wide selection of Parker Clay bags and wallets
- Nordstrom – Carry a curated collection of Parker Clay bestsellers
- Saks Fifth Avenue – High end department store selling luxury Parker Clay leather handbags
- Bloomingdales – Upscale retailer offering Parker Clay’s latest collections
Stores
Parker Clay has two branded retail stores located in Dallas, Texas and Santa Monica, California. Visit these stores to see and feel Parker Clay’s full line of products.
Parker Clay bags are also stocked at select boutiques and department stores across the United States. Some locations where you can find Parker Clay products include:
- Nordstrom – Find a curated selection of Parker Clay bags at Nordstrom stores
- Bloomingdales – Several locations carry Parker Clay handbags and accessories
- Anthropologie – Eclectic retailer selling Parker Clay pouches and wristlets
- Free People – Bohemian stores with Parker Clay crossbody and saddle bags
Check with your local high-end boutiques, accessory stores, and department stores to see if they stock Parker Clay. The brand’s distribution is constantly growing.
The Future of the Brand
As Parker Clay looks to the future, they remain committed to their founding mission and principles. While they plan to expand their operations and product offerings, empowering vulnerable women through job creation and celebrating traditional craftsmanship will always be at the core of what they do.
Parker Clay founder Ian Bentley has expressed plans to continue growing both production capacity in Ethiopia and their retail presence in the United States. However, he emphasizes that these plans will be carefully managed to protect the brand’s culture and commitment to their social impact goals.
Parker Clay is exploring opportunities to expand their Ethiopian workshop facilities and train additional artisans in leathercrafting skills. At the same time, they aim to maintain their meticulous quality control and ethical, sustainable practices. Parker Clay also plans to expand their product line while upholding their standard of premium, expertly-crafted goods.
As cited from Parker Clay’s story, growth will focus on creating more jobs to empower vulnerable women and sharing the beauty of traditional Ethiopian craft with more customers. The future looks bright for this purpose-driven brand.
