The Lesson Learned When Your Mission and Brand Do Not Align

While waiting for my daughter to complete a ballet audition, I opened NYTimes.com and read a recent and interesting article (or it became a couple of articles) on the unintended phenomenon of how the “Patagonia Vest” has defined an industry and became a status symbol. The article, which is a critique of a new fashion exhibit of artist Simon Denny also focused on how Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s blouses and scarves came to represent Global Capitalism. In case you are interested, check out: “Tech Bro Uniform Meets Margaret Thatcher. Disruption Ensues.”
With piano solos and pointe shoes tapping in the background, I marveled at how powerful a single article of clothing, such as Patagonia’s vest can define an industry and actually work against an intended mission. [Read more…] about Why Patagonia Said No To A Sale