Privilege for the privileged with a side of privilege and favor.
Brought to you by a company that leaves coyotes to die in steel traps...
15
Must be a slow year. I saw more empty seats at Eccles premieres than I have ever seen in 12 years of attending the festival. Restaurants on Main Street also had no waits for tables. Something for sure has changed. Films are now ending up on streaming services within a few weeks or months of the festival which may argue against making the long, cold and expensive trek to Park City (with rooms averaging $800 to $1600 a night) and always feeling you are a second class citizen waiting on line in the cold when everyone else has Express Passes ($4000 each guaranteeing admittance to every film) and fancy Canada Goose coats ($800 apparently). Would also be nice to see the festival's peculiar little films like Horse Girl, Wendy and Nine Days covered by the media instead of the festival's jackets.
6
Most of these elite entertainment types who receive these jackets live in the greater Los Angeles area where there are approximately 20,000 homeless.
14
Gag me with a spoon!
12
This reads like a press release rather than a news story! As many comments have mentioned, animals are treated horribly in the process of making these coats. There was a pretty active protest against CG during Sundance by PETA, and should be mentioned in the article if we are going to write a love letter to one of these jackets.
16
How sad and pathetic are these people who need a “puffer”
jacket to feel good about themselves. Is this the adult equivalent of the bar mitvah sweatshirt?
Maybe the author intended this piece to be ironic.
15
It's even worse when the elite must throw a party for themselves in order to raise money for a good cause. Wouldn't all the money spent to entertain themselves be better allocated directly to the philanthropy or those in need? I guess the party lets them feel like real do-gooders in front of their friends; or rather, those whom they are trying to impress.
9
It’s really disappointing that these directors working on such interesting topics like indigenous people of Canada are going ga ga over these jackets. Lost respect for every person quoted here.
12
I hate the whole puffer fad, particularly for women. I miss the lush wool winter coats of the past. But then again I am old fashioned and lament untucked shirts on men and the absence of ties when suits are worn. So there!
7
Look, Sundance is a status symbol in itself. So this is just a status symbol on top of a status symbol. It's really harmless (except, perhaps, to some animals, but I don't think they are killed, just plucked. By the way carpe diem does not actually mean "seize the day" but a more literal ((a word I hate to use)) translation is "pluck the day". ) fun. So, pluck it. Who cares? I am sure by the time the new "owners" of these jackets get back to California there were be tons of knocks off being hawked on the streets of LA and Venice Beach. Count on it. By the way, it does it cold in California. It was down to a freezing 65 degrees here last night. Irony noted and intended. Then again, there is still snow on Mt. Baldy.
3
Who decides who rates one of these coats?
4
Par for the course for this crowd; just another case of "Do as I say, not as I do."
5
Ugly jackets and definitely not cruelty-free. Of course, it's shameful that celebrities are willing to do anything for a freebie, even if it's steeped in blood of innocent animals.
16
Canada Goose jackets are a disgrace. The company inhumanely live plucks geese for the down and then charges thousands for jackets that don’t even keep someone warm in a typical Canadian prairie winter where the windchill is generally colder than -20 Celsius. These jackets are popular wealth and status showpieces for Asian immigrants who want to give off an air of sophistication. Why don’t more Canadians wear the brand? Because we know other brands like North Face and MEC are more affordable and better quality, but most importantly, are produced humanely and in a sustainable way.
22
@EJ - For the Adirondacks in February, modern synthetics are just as good as down. Unless you're climbing K2 or something like that, the additional weight is inconsequential.
5
Just another example of how millionaires expect free stuff and do exactly the opposite of what they preach. Really, private jets and animal abusive clothes?
48
I think it's actually kind of lovely that this was given to all the filmmakers, even those fairly obscure ones working in the less-glamorous and less-profitable sectors. Documentaries and short films don't make money, and those who make them are often passionate social critics and artists who care enough about their causes to sacrifice a lot. Given that Sundance often seems like it's a celebrity scene and party site than a film festival, it's nice that they did something that put the focus back on the filmmakers - all of them and not just the famous ones.
Also, I'm glad to see that this particular Canada Goose coat does not have the fur hood.
5
while many Indie filmmakers can probably use a good free winter jacket I'd think most celebrities would seek to be as anonymous as possible. why would redford or hawke want to draw more attention to themselves and make a quiet cup of coffee completely impossible?
(i guess that's one more reason i am not a celebrity.)
3
Isn't this exactly the behavior we encourage our children not to exhibit?
21
Sometimes a jacket is just a jacket - everything need not be political. That said, for the locals, like the name badges all the attendees wear 24-7, this is just a red flag alerting us to cross the street.
8
I get a kick out of the guy in the picture. He's neve done a day's work outside, in the cold, IN HIS LIFE.
12
Too many sheep in our population.
(sheepish behavior - mindless conformity)
13
Robert Redford, supposedly interested in environmental issues, sends an assistant to pick up his coat that is made by inhumanely killing geese? Just another privileged hypocrite. Good to know, Bob.
19
@Ms. Pea - Word.
1
Fur and down are so... neanderthalic. Cruel and unnecessary. Disappointed in Sundance for this. I guess its been taken over by the worst of Hollywood, big business, and the consumer mindset.
12
A sad commentary on shallow people. If you need a jacket to make you feel special, you’re trying to fill a massive hole.
21
The biggest, loudest boos to Canada Goose and to the heartless people who choose to ignore the cruelty involved in the production of these so called status symbols. Canada Goose coats give me the creeps.
14
The writer failed to specify if these jackets are really worth owning. Considering the absolute plethora of skiwear out there that is fashionable, the freebies this company gives away are not that great. Upon first glance, it appears the baffles are sewn-through, meaning it's the cheapest build to do for down.
But, hey, what do these Hollywood types know? You tell them it's cool and they apparently run with that. But only gapers would wear that gear on a real ski day. And, with this article, the gapers will think they they're cool.
2
Up here in northern New England, people shake their heads and laugh at folks wearing Canada Goose.......they are typically people who would be hard pressed to operate a wood stove.
12
Does it come with a small jar of pate de foie gras? What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
11
Welcome to the Sour Grapes Comment Competition!
14
Oh, the power of swag! It causes otherwise rational people to lose their minds! The reason they hand them out one by one is prevent the mass chaos of people trying them on for size! Having been on the other side of that table, I've had people follow me out to my car where I locked the items in the trunk overnight for safe-keeping. And, everyone has to show ID and sign or you'll hear "I didn't get mine!" for the next year. So glad I'm out of THAT business.
7
Canada Goose coats are disgusting. The process to make them is inhumane, and the company has a record of animal cruelty just to have fur on their coats. Canada Goose coats are repulsive, and are shameful, not fashionable.
72
@MyjobisinIndianow Thank you for saying this: repulsive is the perfect descriptor for these cruelty-added coats. Every time I see someone in Canada Goose I feel nauseous for the animals brutalized to make a single jacket.
13
@MyjobisinIndianow But wait!...Bob Redford got one so it must be OK.
5
They all look/feel the same under an avalanche...so how special could it be?
23
Trending now....surprisingly young people like recycled limited editions and collectors items. Some people travel the world to look at street art that has been approved by local councils. (not graffiti). never out of fashion are street art tee shirts. Someone needs to cash in on this and pay the street artists a commission for using their artworks on tees. Those Hard Rock Café denim jackets are never out of fashion, when recycled, and get snapped up by todays youth as the graphics and style was great. Youth of today love anything to do with art and film festivals.
When people die they end up in Op Shops as relations don't realise the value of items or can't be bothered with selling the item as recycled, for not much dosh!
1
Crazy these jackets are considered cool or valuable. Like all uniform/festival jackets like these, they will quickly be discarded after the event and look ridiculous. Picture a person skiing in a 2002 Winter Olympics coat today.
14
Sundance usually has a conscience. I am truly surprised they are in bed with Canada Goose. (Enough outrage and they may issue a response.) As far as this reporting, come on NY Times how could you miss this?
52
Canada Goose is a great company and makes great clothes.
@Barb I was at Sundance and PETA was loudly protesting Canada Goose for the better part of Saturday. Surprised and yet not surprised this was not mentioned in this Press release. I love the Times, but this article is a little too close to press release. Like what was the actual point?
15
@Mark um, no.
2
"Down" is not just goose feathers; it is the feathers of a gosling. The goslings are plucked alive not just once, but four, sometimes five times. It is incredibly painful.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/14/winter-coat-ethically-produced-down-goose-feathers
48
Sundance Film Festival: Where Parker Posey meet Parka-ed Posers.
27
Canada Goose uses fur. No thanks.
31
@GB ...and down!
4
Y'all can have it. I wouldn't let my dog wear it.
6
Really? A parka makes you feel more exclusive? Some of the films at Sundance deal with powerful subjects, and the films change societies perceptions of the world around us.
Shouldn't that be what makes you feel exclusive? The fact that you made something that can change the world, change the quality of life for marginalized peoples, stop decimation of our planet? That's huge.
But you want a parka that lets people know,"I'm better than you." For you to be more important than others, then you have to believe that others are less important than you. The continuous portrayal of this pernicious dynamic in Hollywood leads to a wide spectrum of abuse.
Let your art speak for you.
37
@JH
Perhaps the reporter was hoping to score one for writing the article?
3
Just so you know, this year during Sundance, my outerwear of choice will be a personally customized polypro topper purchased 4 years ago at a thrift shop in El Sobrante. And there is only one of it.
Eat your hearts out.
51
@soozzie I'm a huge star - I'll give you $1 million for it
7
@buettisman 2 recommends! Looks like a bidding war!
3
We have had a few directors stay with us and they always love the coat! They get other swag as well, but the coat is best. They deserve it. The coats are beautiful. Most of the independent film directors are not wealthy btw. This is a huge deal to them. They get the same coat as the famous directors. That’s what I love about Sundance. They get recognition for their hard work. The independent filmmakers are the best.
8
There’s no beauty in the abject pain and suffering that occurs to make these coats.
Shame on Sundance.
17
Puffy jacket, not puffer.
3
Just another piece of clothing that is supposed to say I'm somebody proving you're insecure and really nobody.
Takes me back to the "Members Only" jackets.
Sad.
19
Just wait...5 years from now these will be for sale at the Salvation Army for $24.95.
13
Just WOW. Shame on this Company, and REALLY shame on the Moochers. How many poor Kids could get warm, new Coats for the cost of this charade ?
SAD.
30
With all the homeless people suffering on the streets, trying to stay warm in boxes and tents- a story about rich, privileged people being given free puffy coats to wear from one VIP party to the next. Ugh.
38
Good to know that one person, Ms. Tremblay, actually has a use for the coat besides stroking their ego.
Hey, you people that will only wear it once a year and then put it in the closet? There's lots of people less fortunate, and of course less talented, that could use a good winter coat.
There are homeless people in Salt Lake City and Park City. Not that you ever see them.
20
These celebs should take 2 minutes to Google “Canada Goose animal welfare”. My guess is this status symbol would quickly turn into a badge of shame.
50
Canada Goof is more like it.
8
I think Canada Goose coats (actually, any puffer jacket) are insanely ugly and make the wearer look like a giant Pillsbury dough-Person (staying gender-neutral here)...ugh. I understand the need for the warmth but oitherwise-uh, nope. The only thing "prestigious" about these coats are the "Sundance 2020" patches. So why not just cut costs and give those out to the elite hundreds? They could then sew them on their own coats (I mean, have an assistant sew them on!).
16
There's the 1% and then there's the .00001% found wandering the streets of Park City. Fact is CG puffer coat is not what the cool Sundance attendee wears anyway. This one really is a puff piece.
16
The emperor's new clothes.
13
People are people, no?
1
Oh that’s so special I’m just heart sick I haven’t received my notice yet. However I already have a closet full of Chinese down jackets so oh well.
1
The film industry is just sad.
12
I am sure the wearers all support the corporate establishment wing of the Democratic party.
1
Good For You.
1
A big fat “who cares”.
4
These are the most boring people ever.
7
More pre-land-fill for our ever increasing pile of who cares.
10
There you go. The NYT just gave Canada Goose a huge free advertisement. I can't wait to see the California movie types dripping rivers of sweat while showing their off their puffer coats in the hot L.A. sun.
9
Gosh the people who way over pay for their Moncler puffies will be so jealous as being one upped.
I’m ok with my TNF Mountain Light shell over my Patagonia fleece keeping me warm at the top of Taos Ski Valley at 12 degrees with 60 mph gusts.
2
Silly Goose. The strong desire to have something your peer does not have is like some missed lesson from childhood. Star Belly Sneetches?
3
Oooh...me...me...me.
I want one, too!
What is it?
15
Idiocy.
2
Wow! what a bunch of sourpuss comments.
6
I don’t want it.
2
People are sheep.
3
Giving an exclusive, expensive coat to a few of the wealthiest people in the world and publicizing it has PR disaster written all over it. I await the fallout to this article.
63
@Anne Silverstein fallout? Liberals don’t know what that means. Just look to the blackface Governor and accused Lt. Governor in Virginia. There is nothing more ‘woke’ than liberal fought in the act.
Shame on Sundance, and especially Mr. Redford! As a spokesperson for the NRDC and his own environmental organizations, for Mr. Redford to condone Canada Goose puffers at Sundance, and wear one himself, sullies and brings into question his commitment to the environment.
93
Swag bags, parties, jackets, none of this is new. If it makes folks there happy, fair enough. Most of us have had to figure out how to pull off that without what is now a $1k plus entrance badge. Just having a warm jacket to put on anymore works for me, so I'm good. Perspective can really help get you through the day.
I hope they're all staying warm too, enjoy your films.
22
Come on, Sundance. How about a coat that is not made from animal products made by a company with a very sketchy animal welfare and fur track record? Canada Goose has recently walked back its animal welfare commitments and has always operated without prioritizing environmental and animal impacts in its coyote fur supply chain and goose down supply chain.
It’s 2020. There are plenty of better performing parkas out there, without poor environmental and animal welfare performance. Several premium parka makers (including one here in MN) are now using recycled materials instead of animal products, and achieve higher warmth retention and moisture performance in very cold weather.
104
@John Thank you.
9
Great way to showcase elite privilege and ignorance to animal cruelty at the same time!
88
Actually, I really liked this article. It was fun and took my mind off of the other news. This is the Style section folks. I read all the articles about impeachment, etc. I’ll take my puffer coat in cherry red please :)
9
Thank you filmmakers. I know that most of you don’t get wealthy, and I enjoy your works very much. I’m glad to see you’ve been warmly rewarded.
4
And we should care about the status-signaling over-consumption of the glitterati why, exactly?
23
Looks like every other 'puffer' jacket (a.k.a. the Official Jacket of San Francisco residents) I've seen. They could have just given them the magical Patch and called it a day.
8
These people are scarfing up—and promoting—coats that use real coyote fur and down. I cannot believe: (a) that this cohort of people, who typically purport to be thought leaders, tacitly endorse such a product when awesome cruelty-free options are easily had in the modern world (b) this article does not mention anything about this, thereby acting as its own commercial for Canada Goose.
57
@Matthew Barthel
Have you ever owned a pair of leather shoes?
2
“Grabbed and Carried by the Neck. After the geese were confined to the pens, workers started grabbing them by the neck – often two in each hand – and hauling them to transport crates as they shrieked and flapped their wings in distress”.
34
How about donating coats to the homeless in Park City? Or is homelessness not allowed? This is like a middle school "in group."
35
Hmmm... I wonder what CG did to the geese for these coats?
20
Canada Goose jackets in general are the Hummers of our time - unnecessarily large, actually pretty ugly, way over priced, and all about status.
75
I would like to think these indie film folks are beyond following the pack, trends, status symbols and grabbing free merch - obviously not. I live in NYC and every other bro and similar yahoo are wearing Canada Goose parkas on the subway. That brand trims many styles w natural fur - so I guess the indie crowd can compartmentalize their fashion choices. The only thing more vile is sending the assistant to pick it up - disgusting.
32
Oh, if I could just be part of the gang...
Too funny. It is somewhat surprising that people that have created films worthy of Sundance standards would need affirmation through a jacket. You never can tell with people.
54
Maybe rather than the free merchandise that is constantly provided to those who don't need it, the sponsors could donate money to the participants favourite charity or offer to offset their carbon footprint from the private jets they all took to get there.
160
@catee Amen! Thousands of needy kids and adults who brave long commutes (or homelessness) need warm winter coats for safety and survival! Here in Chicago, a Canada Goose just makes me think of overprivileged transplants (often pairing it with thousand dollar backpacks on the elite campuses around here) who don’t really know better. Buy quality ethical down or an appropriate synthetic if you truly need it for the climate; donate your savings ($400+) to someone in need.
20
@catee
Yes! This!
3
It never ceases to amaze. The same folks wandering around in a completely frivolous, unnecessary (expedition gear for a nighttime stroll?) and disposable status symbol are the same ones who preach sustainability and consciousness to the rest of us.
159
@Matt Well who else is gonna do it? Are you gonna pay attention to a boring diplomat preach about climate change or a Scarlett Johansson type???
The only reason most of us clicked on this article are because of the name "Sundance" and it wasn't because of the skiing either.
6
@Frank646
I generally pay attention to Scarlett Johansson. It's much more enjoyable than paying attention to politics.
5
No puffer or parka measures to a gambeson of old (in Fr. pourpoint, in Germ. Wams, in Russ. støganka). Its main characteristic is that it stays glued to the shoulders and torso when the arms in sleeves make abrupt motions, like in boxing, fencing, samourai duel with two sabres, etc. My wife made one for me, and I love to wear it on the street.
5
Just more status signaling garbage, and part of the vast maw of over consumption that is destroying the planet.
176
Yeah, basically. (sigh)
4