About the Founders
Brittany & Ian Bentley
Parker Clay handcrafts premium leather goods in Ethiopia, transforming communities through trade to create social and economic empowerment. We create jobs for vulnerable individuals and support prevention, rehabilitation, and job training for women transitioning out of trafficking. We share our story to educate our customers on the ways their purchases empower others within the global community.
Co-Founder, Creative Director
Brittany Bentley
Brittany Bentley is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Parker Clay, a lifestyle brand committed to making a better bag for a better world. One year after traveling to Ethiopia to adopt their daughter, Brittany and her husband, Ian, would relocate their family to Addis Ababa to work with vulnerable women and children. Having realized the potential impact, they created Parker Clay to showcase the beauty of premium Ethiopian leather while creating safe, dignified employment for at-risk women.
Today, Brittany lives with her family in Santa Barbara, California, where she is responsible for the design and development of Parker Clay products, while also guiding the brand in maintaining its original vision.
Co-Founder, CEO
Ian Bentley
Ian Bentley is the Co-Founder and CEO of Parker Clay, a lifestyle brand committed to making a better bag for a better world. One year after traveling to Ethiopia to adopt their daughter, Ian and his wife, Brittany, would relocate their family to Addis Ababa to work with vulnerable women and children. Having realized the potential impact, they created Parker Clay to showcase the beauty of premium Ethiopian leather while creating safe, dignified employment for at-risk women.
Today, Ian lives with his family in Santa Barbara, California, where Parker Clay has established an office, warehouse, and flagship store, along with their factory and nearly 200 employees in Addis Ababa.