As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the globe, many of the fashion world’s top talents are pitching in to help the healthcare workers who are fighting the pandemic on the front lines.
While luxury giant LVMH is producing free hand sanitizer and designers like Donatella Versace have offered up generous donations to hospitals, smaller labels are harnessing the power of their studios and sewing teams to produce desperately needed face masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to help with the shortage.
Below, some of the designers who are stepping up to lend a hand.
Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss
On March 18, Jean-Raymond — whose label is a favorite of celebs like Gabrielle Union, Issa Rae and Tracee Ellis Ross — announced he would be converting his NYC office into a donation center for masks and gloves, and redistribute them to medical professionals in need.
The designer has also raised $10,000 to purchase PPE for donation, and an additional $100,000 to aid small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Christian Siriano
After New York Governor Andrew Cuomo offered funding to businesses able to produce masks on March 20, Siriano quickly answered his call. Since coordinating with Cuomo, Siriano has kept his million-plus Instagram followers updated on the process, offering an up-close look at a prototype and sharing videos and snaps of his team hard at work.
The designer said his studio is now producing hundreds of masks per day.
Brandon Maxwell
“In response to this global crisis, we are now focusing our creative efforts on manufacturing PPE (personal protective equipment), starting with gowns,” the Lady Gaga favorite shared on March 21. “We have spent the last week researching the appropriate medical textiles to create these gowns and are proud to provide these much needed items to the doctors and nurses on the front lines of this crisis.”
Maxwell added that “as more information becomes available on how to manufacture medical grade masks and gloves, we will transition in to doing so.”
Stacey Bendet of Alice + Olivia
On March 21, Bendet volunteered her team’s services to make masks out of excess fabric, and told Page Six Style that they’ll also be producing gowns based on medical specifications for New York hospitals and healthcare workers.
Prabal Gurung
The red carpet favorite shared an update with his followers on March 23, writing that his studio will be pivoting to make masks and gowns as well. “As a brand that produces over 90% of our collections in NY, our goal is not only to fill the void of critical PPE, but to mobilize our domestic partners, revitalizing US producers and suppliers,” he wrote.
“We are currently working in partnership with @nygovcuomo office & local hospitals to secure clearance to produce, and ensure the viability of our output.”
Michael Costello
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-BD2gFh6Bs/Over on the West Coast, Costello — who’s dressed the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé — pledged to “do [his] best to fulfill as much face mask requests [as he] can,” working with a local LA manufacturing agency as well as his own staff.
Rachel Comey
The LA designer put out an ask to local manufacturers on March 22, asking them to reach out to government organizations to help supply hospital gowns. The day prior, she posted a tutorial showing how those not in the medical profession can make their own masks at home.
Cynthia Rowley
In addition to sharing a face mask pattern with her followers, Rowley announced on March 23 that she’s making hundreds for “members of the community” in an effort to “flatten the curve” of infection.
Naeem Khan
Famous for his opulent gowns, Khan showed off his team’s face mask prototype on March 23; it’s made from hemp and has a pocket for disposable filters.
Ralph Lauren
In addition to donating $10 million to coronavirus relief efforts, Lauren announced on March 26 that his brand will make 250,000 masks and 25,000 isolation gowns for donation.
Tanya Taylor
On April 1, Taylor shared that her label had spent the past week making 5,000 locally-sewn masks to send to NYC; the team is crowdsourcing to produce more, with a goal of donating 10,000 masks.