Original Duckhead

What Original Duckhead does

Original Duckhead is a London-based, founder-owned sustainable consumer goods company founded in 2012 by Morgan Cros. The company designs and sells eco-friendly umbrellas and reusable bags built around a thesis that the global umbrella industry — where over 1 billion units are discarded annually — is a major source of preventable waste. Products are manufactured in partnership with a family-owned, SEDEX- and SA8000-audited factory in China.

The core product portfolio centers on compact umbrellas distinguished by a signature carved duck-head wooden handle (FSC-certified birch), an rPET canopy made from post-consumer plastic bottles (SCS Recycled Content certified, 9 bottles per umbrella), a wind-resistant steel/fiberglass frame, and PFAS-free waterproofing. The range includes the flagship Duck Umbrella ($45), the Mini ($42), the auto-open Daily ($49), and a kids' Duckling ($36), alongside reusable tote bags ($12–$14) made from surplus canopy material or six recycled bottles. A two-year warranty underpins the premium positioning. Collaboration lines with Peanuts (75th anniversary), Nanga (Japan), and Meri Meri (kids) provide limited-edition drops.

The business operates a primarily direct-to-consumer e-commerce model through its own Shopify storefront, supported by a 100,000+ subscriber email list and multi-channel organic social (Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest). A B2B corporate gifting channel supplies custom-branded umbrellas to clients including Kraken, The New Yorker, The New York Times, Bon Appetit, Vanity Fair, Lufthansa Cargo, and others, with minimum order quantities as low as 72 units. A US warehouse enables tariff-free fulfillment for American customers. The company is B Corp certified, a 1% for the Planet member, and Living Wage Foundation accredited, with no disclosed external venture or private equity funding.

Name

Original Duckhead

Legal name

Original Duckhead

Website

https://originalduckhead.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Original Duckhead is a London-based, founder-owned DTC brand founded in 2012 that designs and sells sustainable umbrellas and reusable bags made from recycled materials, serving eco-conscious consumers, families, and B2B corporate gifting clients worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of eco-friendly umbrellas, reusable tote bags, and kids umbrellas through owned e-commerce storefront. Products sold at premium price points with 2-year warranty. Revenue generated from one-time product purchases with no subscription component.
2. Corporate Gifting and Co-Branding: B2B corporate gifting with custom branding options including logo printing (minimum 72 units) and full custom umbrellas with bespoke colors and designs (minimum 500 units). Higher volume orders with design assistance and US warehouse fulfillment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Original Duckhead manufactures and sells eco-friendly umbrellas and reusable tote bags made primarily from recycled materials, most notably rPET fabric sourced from post-consumer plastic bottles. Its signature compact umbrellas feature a hand-carved FSC-certified birch wood duck-head handle, a wind-resistant steel and fiberglass frame, and a PFAS-free waterproof coating, and are sold direct-to-consumer globally with a 2-year warranty.

Product overview

Original Duckhead is a London-based sustainable weather-wear brand founded in 2012 by Morgan Cros, offering a focused portfolio of eco-friendly umbrellas and reusable bags. The core product line centers on three umbrella types: the signature Duck Umbrella with its iconic duck-head wooden handle, the compact Mini Umbrella for travel, and the Daily Umbrella with auto open-close functionality, complemented by the Duckling kids umbrella. The reusable tote bags are made from recycled materials, often utilizing surplus from umbrella production. The portfolio includes themed sub-collections (Leopard, Arty Cats), licensed collaborations (Peanuts, Meri Meri, Nanga), and bundle packages combining umbrellas with matching bags. The company also offers corporate gifting services with customization options. All products share a commitment to sustainability through recycled materials (rPET from plastic bottles) and durable construction backed by a two-year warranty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Duckhead Umbrella Signature compact umbrella with a carved FSC-certified birch wood duck-head handle, rPET canopy made from up to 9 recycled plastic bottles, wind-resistant steel and fiberglass frame, and PFAS-free waterproof coating; sold to individual consumers at $45.
• The Mini Umbrella
• The Daily Umbrella Everyday compact umbrella with automatic open-close function, made from 100% recycled fabric with a durable steel frame for daily commutes and urban use; priced at $49.
• The Duckling Kids Umbrella Children's version of the signature Duck umbrella, lightweight with a sustainably sourced wooden handle crafted for small hands; priced at $36.
• Reusable Tote Bags Handmade reusable tote bags made from surplus umbrella canopy materials and from 6 recycled plastic bottles per bag; foldable, machine washable, and able to hold up to 20kg; priced at $12-$14.
• Original Duckhead x Peanuts Collection Limited-edition collaboration celebrating 75 years of Peanuts, offering three umbrella designs (Ace, Golf, Yo) featuring Snoopy and Peanuts artwork on sustainable rPET fabric with birch wood handles.
• Original Duckhead x Meri Meri Collection Kids umbrella collection co-created with lifestyle brand Meri Meri, featuring whimsical designs including Happy Icons, Rainbow Stripes, and Dinosaur Kingdom on sustainable materials.
• Original Duckhead x Nanga Collection Collaboration with Japan-based Nanga, featuring a Sleep-Friendly Compact Duck Umbrella with a down-inspired storage case designed so the duck appears to be 'sleeping' inside; priced at $59.
• The Leopard Collection Leopard print umbrellas and accessories collection featuring iconic animal print design reimagined as weather-ready essentials made with sustainable materials.
• Arty Cats Collection Cat-themed umbrella and bag collection featuring whimsical cat illustrations on eco-friendly sustainable products made from recycled materials.
• Umbrella Bundles Coordinated umbrella and tote bag bundles including Rainy Day Sets and Me & Mini Me matching family bundles, offering savings of $54-$135 compared to individual purchases.
• Corporate Gifting Service B2B corporate gifting service offering customizable branded umbrellas and bags with Pantone color matching, logo printing (minimum 72 units), and full co-branded bespoke designs (minimum 500 units), with design team assistance and US warehouse fulfillment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10 million post-consumer plastic bottles recycled into functional products
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• R-CoatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with R-Coat, a pioneer in turning discarded umbrellas into functional fashion accessories. Supports circular solutions that keep materials in use longer. Brands should take responsibility for full product lifecycle, not just purchase moment.
• NangacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Japan-based brand Nanga, renowned for high-performance down products. Brings together Original Duckhead's classic duck-head handle and Nanga's premium down-filled insulation products. Umbrella storage case designed to resemble Nanga's sleeping bags with duck 'sleeping' inside.
• PeanutscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLimited edition collaboration celebrating 75 years of Peanuts. Three umbrella designs (Ace, Golf, Yo) featuring Snoopy and Peanuts artwork on sustainable rPET fabric. Collector's bundle available with all three designs.
• Meri MericoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with beloved lifestyle brand Meri Meri for kids' sustainable umbrellas. The Duckling reimagined with Meri Meri's signature whimsy including Happy Icons, Rainbow Stripes, and Dinosaur Kingdom designs.
• 1% for the PlanetcoreOthersProud member of 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of annual revenue to approved environmental nonprofits. International organization bringing together businesses and environmental organizations for collective action on environmental issues.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Davek: NYC-based premium umbrella brand offering high-end umbrellas with lifetime guarantees. Directly comparable as a premium umbrella brand targeting style-conscious consumers willing to pay for durable, well-designed products at similar price points.
• Blunt Umbrellas: New Zealand-based premium umbrella brand known for its distinctive radial tensioning system and modern industrial design. Direct peer offering high-quality, design-led umbrellas at premium price points with strong branding.
• London Undercover: London-based umbrella brand offering classic British designs with wooden handles. Direct peer sharing the wooden-handle aesthetic, London heritage, and premium positioning with Original Duckhead.
• Senz: Dutch premium umbrella brand known for aerodynamic asymmetric design and product innovation. Direct peer in the premium designer umbrella category with award-winning positioning.
• Baggu: Sustainable reusable bag brand offering canvas and ripstop nylon totes. Directly comparable for Original Duckhead's tote bag line, sharing the eco-friendly reusable bag positioning and DTC-led distribution model.
• SwagUp: Corporate gifting and branded merchandise platform with sustainable custom swag options. Direct competitor in Original Duckhead's corporate gifting channel, competing for custom-branded merchandise budgets.

Broad incumbents

• Totes: Mass-market umbrella brand with broad retail distribution. Operates in the same umbrella category but at much lower price points and without sustainability positioning.
• GustBuster: Established American umbrella brand focused on windproof performance. Operates in the same umbrella category with durability-focused positioning, though at lower price tiers than Original Duckhead.

Emerging players

• R-Coat: London-based circular fashion brand turning discarded umbrellas into functional accessories. Named as Original Duckhead's circular-economy partnership; operates at the intersection of umbrella materials and circular design.
• Bag of Ethics: UK-based sustainable bag brand using recycled and ethical materials. Regional peer to Original Duckhead's tote bag business with shared sustainability positioning and UK market overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@originalduckhead
• Facebookfacebook.com/originalduckhead
• TikToktiktok.com/@original_duckhead
• Pinterestpinterest.co.uk/originalduckhead
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/original-duckhead

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Original Duckhead