Designed for expats and international students, the world’s first “VPN Blanket” blends comfort, culture, and technology to ease homesickness. Cult streetwear brand Aries has partnered with ProtonVPN to create a limited-edition blanket embedded with NFC technology, offering a one-month free ProtonVPN subscription. The service grants access to content from 120 countries. The NFC chip is woven directly into the blanket’s tag, and a simple tap opens a URL to activate the VPN. The concept, developed by Uncommon Creative Studio, was inspired by research showing that 88% of expats feel less isolated when accessing content from home, while 82% of international students report feelings of homesickness.

Figure 1. VPN Blanket

“From the moment we saw this concept, we knew it was special—a brilliant way to bring ProtonVPN into a completely new space. Partnering with Aries merges cutting-edge security with everyday comfort,” said Morgane Leonardi, VPN expert at Proton. “The VPN Blanket transforms a simple cozy moment into instant access to TV shows, movies, and sports that make people feel at home.” Figure 1 shows VPN Blanket.

A design rooted in connection

The blanket is designed by Italian expat Sofia Prantera, who drew inspiration from her own cultural roots. “I wanted to create something that captures the feeling of connection—the mix of longing and warmth you feel when reminded of home,” she said [1]. Patchworked like a quilt, the design incorporates references and imagery reflecting the experience of living abroad, while celebrating multiculturalism.

Limited edition and campaign

The VPN Blanket was promoted through a six-week out-of-home and social media campaign across London, timed with the end of daylight saving. Targeted messaging focused on diaspora communities, including Indian, Latin American, American, Australian, French, Italian, and Polish populations. Ads appeared in university halls, high-traffic urban locations, and other areas with dense international student and expat populations.

“A VPN blanket shouldn’t exist—which is exactly why we made it. With ProtonVPN and Aries, we’ve turned invisible technology into something tangible, comforting, and emotionally resonant. It’s comfort, culture, and connection in one unexpected product,” said Julie Matheney, ECD at Uncommon Creative Studio. Made in Italy from 80% wool and 20% polyamide, the 126 cm x 140 cm blanket retails for $260 and is available on Aries’ official website.

A new direction for tech

The VPN Blanket reflects a growing trend of treating digital tools not just as services, but as physical products with emotional value. As more people live, work, and study across borders, products that combine functionality with a sense of belonging are poised to resonate strongly with global audiences.

References:

1. https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/protonvpn-launches-worlds-first-vpn-blanket

Cite this article:

Janani R (2025), World’s First ‘VPN Blanket’ Lets Users Stream Shows from Anywhere in Comfort, AnaTechMaz, pp.423