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Why Original Duckhead Founder Morgan Cros Wants To Transform The Umbrella Industry For Good

French-born Morgan Cros is from a family of artists and entrepreneurs. Growing up in Paris, Morgan was immersed in a world where creativity and business acumen flourished side by side, inciting her drive for entrepreneurialism.

Beginning her career with American Apparel, Morgan travelled from Paris, to New York, before settling in London. Cros later consulted for multiple brands before wanting to start her own venture.

As a seasoned traveller, Morgan wanted to design a high quality functional product that would be essential for every destination. 

Whilst navigating from the tropical storms of Miami onto a longhaul flight back to a dark and windswept Parisian evening one December, Morgan’s simple New York bodega umbrella collapsed. The idea set in motion. 

The origin of the now cult-favourite Original Duckhead umbrellas began with Morgan’s mother. Whilst growing up in their Parisian home, Morgan’s mother owned a handmade umbrella adorned with an intricate duck handle. Arriving in London, Morgan felt compelled to revive the iconic duck handle design, which evokes a sense of nostalgia for so many. 

Through extensive research, Morgan identified the umbrella industry’s critical flaw: every year globally a total of over 1 billion umbrellas are discarded. Most of these umbrellas are not recycled or even recyclable.

Determined to transform umbrella consumption for good by changing the perception of umbrellas from mundane travel accessories to fashionable high-quality products, Morgan launched Original Duckhead in January 2012.
Original Duckhead aims to reshape the premium umbrella category by creating umbrellas designed to be cherished, and built to last. 
“Original Duckhead is more than just an umbrella brand - we have grown a community of those who strive to do better and hold the brands that they consume accountable — all the while not taking life too seriously. 12 years on, and many milestones achieved, I still feel the same wave of gratitude whenever I pass one of our instantly recognisable umbrellas in the streets of London.” 

Morgan Cros, Original Duckhead Founder & CEO