Original Duckhead

Morgan Cros, born in France, comes from a family of artists and entrepreneurs. Growing up in Paris, Morgan was immersed in a world where creativity and business acumen thrived side by side, encouraging an entrepreneurial drive. Morgan began her career at American Apparel, moving from Paris to New York before settling in London. Cros later consulted for multiple brands before looking to start her own business. As a seasoned traveler, Morgan wanted to design a high-quality, functional product that would be essential to any destination. While flying long-haul from the tropical storms of Miami to a dark, windy Parisian evening one December, Morgan’s simple New York bodega umbrella broke, and the idea was born. The origins of the Original Duckhead umbrellas, now a cult favorite, began with Morgan’s mother. Growing up in their Paris home, Morgan had a handmade umbrella decorated with an intricate duck handle. Upon arrival in London, Morgan felt compelled to revive the iconic duck handle design that so many felt nostalgic for. Through extensive research, Morgan identified a critical flaw in the umbrella industry: more than 1 billion umbrellas are thrown away globally each year. Most of these umbrellas are not recycled or even recyclable. Determined to completely transform umbrella consumption by changing the perception of umbrellas from run-of-the-mill travel accessories to fashionable, high-quality products, Morgan launched the Original Duckhead in January 2012.