Patagonia is committed to both environmental protection and uncompromising quality and functionality. Did you know that Patagonia's signature Better Sweaters, Synchilla Snap T's, and Retro Pile products are now made with "Fair Trade Certified" sewing? . Fair Trade" in which each purchase made by a customer sends additional wages to the factory workers. So what does Patagonia, a brand that is closely connected to the environment, labor, and daily life, think "fair trade" should be? We will delve deeper into the issue with an introduction of the items.
The season of fleece is upon us. Today, the market is overflowing with a variety of fleece products, but when it comes to fleece, it was Patagonia that first used the material and named it "Synchilla" in 1985. The new colors of various fleece models have now been released, including the Synchilla Snap T, which has been a staple, the Better Sweater, which has exploded in popularity in the U.S., and the Retro Pile, which is a "fuzzy" item.
If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the Cincilla Snap T, with its catchy retro red color. . Whatever it is, the color is a reproduction of the legendary red jacket that founder Yvon and current vice president Rick wore when they climbed Mount Denali, the highest peak on the North American continent, in Alaska. No, but I'm also interested in the "Retro Pile," inspired by the "Retro X" pile jackets of the 80s and early 90s.... . All of Patagonia's fleece items are different and all of them are interesting. In fact, they are also Fair Trade certified products.
The Better Sweater Jacket has a sweater-knit outer layer and a warm, moisture-wicking fleece inner layer. It is a versatile item that can be used as an outer layer in town and as an intermediate layer under a shell in the backcountry. The material is 100% polyester fleece and uses a low impact dyeing process that significantly reduces the use of dyes, energy, and water compared to traditional methods.
The Pile Jacket is a warm 100% polyester "pile jacket" with a fluffy exterior and a smooth-to-the-touch interior. A front zipper closure that extends to the stand collar traps heat, while raglan sleeves provide a comfortable range of motion for every movement and even under backpack straps. A left chest pocket and hand warmer pockets provide convenient storage for daily essentials.
Men's Synchilla Snap T Pullover ¥15,000+TAX（ONLINE STORE)
The double-sided, brushed polyester fleece Synchilla fabric is warm and, most importantly, easy to care for. The short-haired surface traps body heat, dodges light winds, and provides abrasion resistance, while the stand collar and nylon placket with snap closure protect the neck and allow excess heat to escape. The chest pocket can be used to store small items. It is also easy to wear like a sweatshirt.
Patagonia's foresight.
More and more brands are expressing their message to society through their products. Patagonia is one of the pioneers in this area, as it has been committed to producing high-quality outdoor products while taking the environment into consideration.
Patagonia has successfully challenged the clothing industry on the importance of minimizing its impact on the environment, including the issue of clothing waste, and has been practicing and sharing these values with consumers. 12 years ago, Patagonia changed its corporate structure to a "B Corporation" to further strengthen its commitment to being a company that thinks about the public good. In 2012, the company changed its corporate structure to a "B Corporation" to further strengthen its commitment to the public good.
Patagonia's new focus is on fair trade. Fair trade is a literal translation of the term "equitable trade. The current global trade system is unfair to many people in developing countries who are in economically and socially vulnerable positions. This movement was started to eliminate economic disparities by conducting international trade under more equitable (fair) conditions.
The sewing factory collapse near Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, in 2001 brought fair trade into the limelight in the clothing industry. It came to light that many of the factory workers who were killed were forced to work long hours for low wages under poor conditions, and the entire "fashion" industry was called into question.
In response, Patagonia was the first to take action. With the goal of improving the lives of all workers who make its products, in 2002, the year after the accident, the company entered into a partnership with Fair Trade USA, a U.S. fair trade certification organization. As a result, Patagonia has been paying factories directly a "premium price," determined by the organization based on export prices, for Fair Trade certified products from partner factories that meet safety standards. It is a democratic and fair distribution to the factory workers, an "additional bonus" that is separate from wages and other production costs, and is a way for the company to return a portion of its profits to the factory workers. , so to speak, a bonus to improve the lives of workers and their families.
Patagonia invests time and money in fair trade because "it is important to our brand that factory workers are happy and that they are gaining confidence through their work. If more Fairtrade products are sold, more factory workers and their families can improve their lives. It is a necessary initiative to build a virtuous cycle, he says.
Since the partnership began, Patagonia has steadily increased the number of Fair Trade Certified products. From 10 products in the fall of 2002, the first year of the partnership, to 200 products in 2004, and by the end of 2005, the company expects to have partnered with 14 factories to reach 480 products, representing over 30% of its total product line.
The aforementioned "Retro Pile," a reprint of the "Retro X" pile jacket from the 80s and early 90s with a "fuzzy" texture, is also a Fair Trade certified product. In other words, by purchasing "Retro Pile," consumers can participate in a social contribution that improves the lives of the factory workers who made the product. Consumption is like an election in a democratic society. Where we pay our money makes the times we live in. It is the seed of a great swell that will change the world.
Patagonia aims to balance the "pursuit of profit" with "corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the realization of a sustainable society," says Patagonia. . "To solve social problems such as the environment and poverty, it is not enough for non-profits and governments to do it on their own, as they have done in the past. . We want to change the world by involving more and more people through the great power of business.
