Patagonia Politics
| posted by Fast Company staffEnjoying a stroll through Manhattan today, I wandered into Patagonia's SoHo location. I admired the new ">Lotus Designs line, drifted down an aisle of multi-multifunction fleeces, sauntered past some sharp spring polos... and found myself smack in front of a stack of political best-sellers. After doing a double take, I noticed shelves of assorted political paraphernalia around the store.
I've worn Patagonia clothes my entire life; I'm pretty sure my mother stuffed me into a one-piece zip up before I left the hospital. I even used to go kayaking with a fella who took photos for the catalog... But I've never noticed the company aligning itself with a political party!
Sure, Patagonia has always been out to improve the environment. Clean air, pure water, polar ice caps - we're all for those. But hawking Al Franken books atop women's Capilene sports bras? The country (for all the polls tell us) is split dead even when it comes to the left and the right - so what's to gain from taking sides? Is it better to pick a team in the hopes that the customers you alienate will be outnumbered by those who now identify further with the brand?
For me, the experience was souring. I just wanted to buy some socks - not take a stand or make a political contribution.
