The white gold

For Flip Oeyen of the family business FJA-Oeyen, craftsmanship is in the attention to detail and respect for the work, the animals, the raw material and the final product. Their production process starts with an egg, then follows the goose, then the down feather and at the end the down blanket and each part or step deserves the same respect. But everything starts on the farm and the proper care of the geese.

Today, the fourth generation of Oeyen is in the shop. The business is run by the three Oeyen brothers, who continue their grandparents' tradition and passion for quality. 

Everything begins and ends with respect

Making down blankets is a craft for the Oeyen family business and they like to have control over it from start to finish. Although live plucking of geese is banned in Europe, reports from animal rights organisations show that it still happens. A pity, as it repeatedly discredits their industry. "We check our suppliers very strictly," Flip Oeyen stresses. "We work with two to three regular European suppliers and also regularly visit the breeding farms to see if the geese are well cared for. We can also tell immediately from the quality and shape of the feathers whether the down has been plucked ripe or prematurely, and whether the goose has been treated well and had room to roam. If there is something wrong, we do not engage with the supplier or stop the cooperation immediately," says Flip.

Working against mass production

Our way of working very consciously goes against mass production and the disposable society, says Flip. Should there be anything wrong with the product, we ask the customer to come back and we will fix it.

Flip Oeyen works for his product and craft with great passion and conviction, despite the many critical reports. When I ask why working with down is so special to him, he doesn't have to think long. "Down is a beautiful product! We call it the white gold.”

contact: info@fja-oeyen.be