What started about 10 years ago with billfolds made of duct tape has blossomed into a growing global business based on a fresh new kind of wallet. The DB Clay wallet brings personality to the pocketbook, by printing wild visual patterns and detailed images on an eco-friendly material of their own. We sat down with DB Clay’s founder Garett Croft Stenson to talk wallets, business and a how a simple fashion accessory has become a global movement. Continue reading, GearCravers, for some behind-the-scenes details on the coolest wallets you’ll see this summer.

And don’t forget, DB Clay is giving away five wallets to GearCrave readers. Head on over to the DB Clay Giveaway page to get yours!

In your own words, how would you describe DB Clay to someone new to your brand?

db clay is a Portland-based, global fashion brand, which specializes in designer wallets and unique personal accessories. We offer a blend of fashion, tech and gift minded products.

Where does the name “DB Clay” originate?

The “db” in our name stands for Ductbills. I first starting making Duct Tape Billfolds about 10 years ago and marketed them under the name “Ductbills.” When we decided to abandon our hand made Tape wallets, and move onto designer wallets, we then decided to re-brand ourselves too. The shortening of Ductbills to db and the addition of “clay” to our name was the makings of a significant shift in our model. Ductbills was too quirky. We thought db clay was more timeless, sexy, and fitting for the new direction we were, and are, heading.

Was building an eco-friendly wallet your initial intention when you founded DB Clay?

Absolutely not. I suppose the intention was simply to pursue the perfect wallet. Our eco friendly textile (Tope) just happened to be a by product of exhaustive R & D…we don’t claim to be a green, or eco friendly company. Tope just happens to be as such. We certainly promote social responsibility, clean manufacturing processes, and sustainability, but it is not something we hang our marketing hat on. The wallet is priority number 1…everything else is peripheral.

How much has the DB Clay wallet changed since its inception?

db clay is constantly on the move with the long term goal of creating a global wallet standard. Since inception, db clay has evolved from a simple hand made craft (in my college apartment) to a globally distributed line of designer wallets. I am probably most proud of the leap we made from hand made products to manufactured products. I’ve made about 30,000 wallets personally by hand and I can’t tell you how excited I am to now have a solid manufacturing relationship in place. It has allowed me to really focus my efforts on creative direction, marketing and conceptualizing the future. That being said, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for my hand made Tape days of yore.

How important has the internet become in selling the DB Clay wallets?

The ever-changing landscape of the web represents our future; we are definitely excited for the possibilities therein. In particular, the web allows us to reach a global audience in a very economically sound and very efficient manner. On the front end, the web is a breeding ground for new ideas, exploration and connectivity. On the backend, we spend dollars and time on developing our infrastructure. We are building our own business management software that has been customized around our specific operational needs. We put a lot of focus on the front end, as well as the backend, because both are relevant to where we want to go.

Are there other areas of mens fashion accessories that DB Clay would consider branching out to? (belts, bags, etc)

Certainly…though wallets remain our core. We are in the process of developing multiple product line extensions and most likely our men’s side of things will head in the direction of small goods, travel accessories, and software development. We are also in the process of developing our first women’s line which will be available early 2009. Women have always been great customers of ours and I am excited to finally offer a product exclusively designed for them. The women’s line will be pretty, sophisticated and unique. The men’s line will be functional, utilitarian and slick.

What other online clothing and style retailers do you admire right now?

To be honest, I don’t really shop online or surf the web that much. I am a hermit and the only website I visit regularly is dbclay.com (though Gear Crave is now on my list!)…the last thing I bought online was a Teak Oil Bath Mat, last week, for my new apartment. It has a “European Style Shower” in it- You have to see it to believe it. My favorite clothing brands are probably Brown Sound and Diesel Jeans. I shop a lot of vintage shops for most of my goods.

Last question– if you had never started DB Clay, what kind of career would you have liked to have?

Great question. If db clay never was (which is hard for me to imagine consider db clay is all I know – it is in my blood), I imagine I would have ended up as some sort of marketing guy…or perhaps in architecture or maybe advertising. I don’t like numbers. I am not really into fashion. I am not an entertainer. I played sports in high school, but it surely ended there. Maybe I would have been a forest ranger or maybe a philosopher? I don’t know…but definitely fun to think about.

Thanks a lot for speaking with us, Garett. We wish DB Clay the best, and we’ll certainly keep an eye on your future works and wallets. GearCravers, be sure to check out DB Clay Wallets at DBclay.com.