Celebrities design signature Mother's Day handbag collection with Parker Clay

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - April 10, 2018 - PRLog -- Parker Clay (https://www.parkerclay.com/), a socially motivated luxury lifestyle brand, is releasing three signature Mother's Day handbags in collaboration with Mary-Louise Parker, Mandy Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. Headquartered in Ethiopia, Parker Clay employs local artisans who handcraft each of their ethically sourced fine leather products.

The Caroline Tote (https://www.parkerclay.com/products/caroline-tote) is named for Mary Louise Parker's mother, Caroline Louise Parker, and honors the special relationship between mothers and daughters - biological, adopted, or otherwise. A sleek magazine tote with an exterior pocket, the Caroline Tote retails online at $208.00 and features Parker Clay's original, best-selling fine leather color, Rust Brown.

The Mimi Bag (https://www.parkerclay.com/products/mimi-tote) honors Mandy Moore's mother, Stacey Moore, who affectionately calls her daughter Mimi. Moore credits her mother with encouraging her to use her platform as an artist to lend a voice to beautiful and empowering stories. The Parker Clay design team worked with Ethiopian partners to design an exclusive Navy Suede for the Mimi Bag, which retails at $238.00.

The Emma Bucket Bag (https://www.parkerclay.com/products/emma-bag) is named in memoriam for Whoopi Goldberg's mother, Emma Johnson. A nurse and teacher, Johnson was a "strong and wise woman" who raised Goldberg and her brother as a single mother. Goldberg wanted her design to be versatile and bold - and led to Parker Clay's addition of a new, specially designed color, "Clay Red." The drawstring-style Emma Bucket Bag retails at $218 and converts from shoulder handles to a cross body strap. Also available in black.

Parker (no relation) was the the first to connect with the Parker Clay founders, Ian and Brittany Bentley as they both have adopted children from Ethiopia. Inspired by the Parker Clay products, Parker and her daughter journeyed to the Parker Clay headquarters in Addis Ababa where they felt a deep synergy with the talented team of artisans and the opportunities provided by Parker Clay. Parker reached out to friends Moore and Goldberg to design signature handbags in honor of mothers.

"I already was in love with the Bentley family and Parker Clay, but traveling to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to meet the women and men who make these gorgeous products was indescribable" said Parker. "Typically the artisans behind a product are forgotten, but at Parker Clay the artisans are celebrated, they are the motivation for why the company exists," she added.

With over 100 million people, Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa. Despite rapid economic growth in the past decade, a third of the population still lives below the poverty line. Beyond following fair trade practices, Parker Clay pays their employees an average of 87% above local wage rates, and offer additional benefits to employees including pensions, generous vacation policies, and transportation.

"Providing premium jobs to skilled artisans at our production facility in Ethiopia is key to supporting community transformation," stated Ian Bentley, Parker Clay co-founder and CEO. "A job for our artisans means more than just a paycheck; it offers an avenue to support themselves and their families, representing social standing and economic stability - and a chance to invest in building a better life."

Owner and chief designer, Brittany Bentley, notes that while the story behind Parker Clay is compelling, the products can stand on their own for their timeless, luxury appeal. "Part of lifting the industry prospects in Ethiopia is spotlighting its unique role in high quality fashion, material sourcing and craftsmanship," said Bentley.

ABOUT PARKER CLAY

Parker Clay's commitment to ethical production standards starts at the origins of each of their products. They procure materials from traditional tanneries that combine quality craftsmanship with modern environmental innovations. These tanneries source leather as a by-product of the livestock industry, and recycle all the water used in the tanning process. Parker Clay operates their production facility according to fair trade principles, provides generous compensation packages, and include workplace benefits to their valued artisans. For more info, go to www.ParkerClay.com