The down side: Patagonia makes its puffy jackets with traceable feathers

The down side: Patagonia makes its puffy jackets with traceable feathers

US – Patagonia has released a new animated video on the dark tale of down, the feathers used for its signature puffy jackets, and its often unethical source.

Article/16736 #1
What the Pluck? – Conventional Down Is a Scary Business

US – Patagonia has released a new video on the dark tale of down – the feathers used for its signature puffy jackets – and its often unethical source.

In the animation, by Geoff McFetridge, viewers follow a goose who happily skis the slopes in his down jacket before being carried to a farm, where he witnesses force-feeding, live plucking and the slaughtering of his brethren. Although down is a by-product of the meat industry – these are geese raised for slaughter – the inhumane practices of live plucking, which causes stress to the animals, and force-feeding, the controversial method for fattening geese for foie gras, are not always the norm. 

In 2010, when animal welfare organisation Four Paws accused Patagonia of receiving down from farms that performed such practices, the brand issued a mea culpa and in 2013 said it was making the move to 100% traceable down. This autumn Patagonia has released its first line of traceable down clothing. The video is accompanied by a microsite by Patagonia, which enables consumers to trace every stage their down goes through to ensure that consumers can be confident that their clothing comes from animals that have not been treated cruelly.

The advertising, despite its animated form, is a strong visual statement about what happens at other farms. Patagonia’s use of Scare Marketing tactics is a smart way to show how its products are better. For more, read our Scare Marketing microtrend.

Discover More News
Cash App taps Timothée Chalamet for youth-friendly money talk

News

Cash App taps Timothée Chalamet for youth-friendly money talk

Cash App has launched an integrated brand campaign featuring Academy Award-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet which aims to foster intergenerational...
Finance : Gen Z : Youth
Foresight Friday: Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Beauty : The Synthocene Era : Virtual Beauty
Stat: Southeast Asia is TikTok’s largest advertising audience

News

Stat: Southeast Asia is TikTok’s largest advertising audience

Southeast Asia now accounts for nearly a quarter of TikTok’s global advertising audience, according to the Digital 2025: July Statshot report.
Statistic : Stat : Southeast Asia
Spktrl’s AI diamond ring aims to cut screen time

News

Spktrl’s AI diamond ring aims to cut screen time

Parisian start-up Spktrl is reimagining wearable technology with the launch of its AI-powered Light Ring, a piece of high jewellery designed to cur...
Wellness : Augmented Human : The Synthocene Era
Represent launches in-person fitness competition 247 Mission Rivington

News

Represent launches in-person fitness competition 247 Mission Rivington

British fashion brand Represent has held its first-ever fitness event, 247 Mission Rivington, with 100 athletes competing in a 12‑hour endurance ch...
Sport : Fashion : Fitness
Stat: Technological innovation is driving the future of beauty

News

Stat: Technological innovation is driving the future of beauty

Wealth divides, digital tools and regional identity are reshaping the international beauty market, according to The State of Fashion: Beauty Volume...
Statistic : Stat : Beauty
AI-generated images of animals in plastic help WWF-Korea raise awareness about pollution

News

AI-generated images of animals in plastic help WWF-Korea raise awareness about pollution

WWF-Korea has launched Animal Trash Fashion, a powerful out-of-home campaign using AI to starkly illustrate the devastating impact of plastic pollu...
Sustainability : Design : Advertising
Rixo launches pre-loved resale platform

News

Rixo launches pre-loved resale platform

British fashion brand Rixo is expanding its circular ambitions with the launch of Rixo Pre-Loved, a resale platform where customers buy and sell it...
Retail : Fashion : Sutainability
Stat: Global business travel spending hits historic high

News

Stat: Global business travel spending hits historic high

Business travel is set to reach a record £1.18 trillion ($1.57 trillion, €1.36 trillion) by the end of 2025, according to ...
Stat : Statistic : Global Travel Market
Axe gamifies fragrance sampling with arcade-inspired bus stop activation

News

Axe gamifies fragrance sampling with arcade-inspired bus stop activation

Axe is making fragrance sampling fun again with a new campaign for its Cherry Fizz body spray.
Advertising : Fragrance : Retail
You have 1 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN