Save the Duck x The Animals Observatory is an important part of the current Fall-Winter 2023 children’s outerwear collection by The Animals Observatory. Both brands' aim was to create comfortable, respectful kids jackets and vests for kids, as well as the most charming baby snowsuits. So to speak, preparing toddlers and kiddos for the upcoming cooler season was our main goal, as they deserve to feel cozy, don’t they?
Turns out Fall-Winter 2023 was the perfect season to start collaborating with Save the Duck as it is inspired by the beauty of nature, its genuine shapes, colors, and textures: typical fall fruit, orange and brown tonalities, and majestic trees make their appearance in the current prints and styles for kids by The Animals Observatory.
We are committed to using the resources that nature makes available to us responsibly
In the same fashion, Save the Duck state that they consider nature a “never-ending source of inspiration”. As Daniela Holnsteneir, Commercial Director of the outerwear’s brand puts it, “We are committed to using the resources that nature makes available to us responsibly, so as to preserve it for those who come after us.” This way, it becomes a must to constantly look for innovative ways to keep improving their sustainability policies.
Save the Duck specializes in really comfortable, long-lasting outerwear without using duck feathers or fur, which is where their brand’s naming comes from. Their products are created using a cutting-edge technology called Plumtech®, which we will speak more about below. As The Animals Observatory does, the supply chain for the Save the Duck garments is also controlled by the brand in order to ensure their ethical values that put people’s wellbeing and safety at the center.
What is Plumtech®?
A really revolutionary fabric, Plumtech® is actually a set of products created by Save The Duck's most trusted suppliers in collaboration with the italian brand itself. A unique result from many resources invested in R&D, it is a padding that emulates the fluffiness of the down material, which comes from bird feathers.
Plumtech® is not a material for Save The Duck's exclusive use, as it can also be used by third parties
The kids outerwear made with Plumtech® also preserves the advantages of technological thermal lining. Besides, it is not a material for Save The Duck's exclusive use, as it can also be used by third parties, as they believe it is important that such an innovative technology can be shared.
“Plumtech® allows to produce garments with limited encumbrance that are light and guarantee total freedom of movement”, which is an improvement if we compare it to traditional polyester padding. When speaking about it in their Plumtech® section on the website, Save the Duck also states that it is an easy-maintenance fabric, so washing and drying the styles made from it is really simple.
Speaking with Daniela Holnsteneir from Save the Duck
To further learn about Save the Duck and their approach when it comes to research and sustainability policies, Daniela Holnsteneir, Commercial Director of the fashion company, answered some of the questions we were wondering about.
Do you encounter many obstacles when researching more sustainable sources of materials?
For the material selection, our designers follow the Guidelines for responsible design and our Eco-design guidelines, aimed at providing design suggestions and strategies with respect to the main issues in innovation, sustainability and product circularity. These tools help our team to check the quality and technical performance of materials as well as their impact levels.
At the present time, our main challenges relate to circularity and control of microfiber release. In fact, our garments are potentially 100% recyclable, but the textile supply chain is not yet structured to complete this cycle effectively and re-create fabric from garments. We are participating in research projects aiming at identifying solutions to counteract, as much as possible, the release of microfibers. Whether synthetic or natural, we need to minimize their impact on the environment.
Photography by Kiku Piñol.
Do you find it difficult to reconcile ecology with aesthetic or functional design?
For Save the Duck, eco-design is, first and foremost, staying in the marketplace by radically distinguishing itself from fast-fashion, producing two collections a year, bringing to life garments and accessories intended to last. All this by producing on demand, thus avoiding stock and overproduction. We don’t like to use the word “consumers”, because we believe that fashion should not be conceived as a consumer good. Save the Duck garments accompany us in our daily lives, which is why we are committed to their durability: We design them to be long-lasting as well as to excite those who choose to wear them just as long.
What do you like the most about The Animals Observatory designs?
I love the cool style and the mix of colors! I think this kind of collaboration is a great match. I also believe it is beautiful that we start collaborating in this particular season in which Laia (as for Laia Aguilar, Creative Director of The Animals Observatory) took inspiration from the shapes and colors of nature, which happens to be one of our values, taking inspiration from nature.
What would you highlight from the Save the Duck x The Animals Observatory styles?
I believe that this collaboration result is the perfect combination of The Animals Observatory eclectic aesthetics and the Save the Duck iconic puffers. In addition, the sherpa jacket is a fun piece for a casual and stylish look.
