How Fashion Is Fighting Against the Coronavirus Pandemic
BYMario Abad04 May
The effects of the coronavirus outbreak have impacted virtually every industry, and fashion is no exception. Between store closures and major event cancellations, the effects are felt by everyone from small businesses to large luxury retailers alike.
With infection rates continuing to grow in different parts of the world, a number of brands and designers are implementing several initiatives to help those at risk. See, below, for more ways fashion is contributing to COVID-19 relief.
DKNY released a line of $25 black and white unisex Essential Tees on DKNY.com with 100% of net proceeds benefitting the NYC Mayor's Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
Bulgari made a contribution to the of Rome's Istituto Lazzaro Spallanzani, which is undergoing research to stop the spread of COVID-19. They also pledged to manufacture hundreds of thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer, which will be distributed to Italian medical facilities within the next two months.
Giorgio Armani donated 1.25 million euros to several hospitals and institutions in Italy that are involved in battling COVID-19 in Italy. The brand also switched all of its production plants from product production to manufacturing single-use medical overalls for healthcare workers in Italy.
Gucci's CEO Marco Bizzarri made a personal donation of 100,000 euros to a variety of hospitals in Italy, particularly those in the heavily affected Emilia-Romagna region.
Cartier's parent company Richemont pledged about $1.4 million earlier this year to the Wuhan Red Cross.
Sergio Rossi contributed more than $100,000 to the Fatebenefratelli and Luigi Sacco hospitals in Milan.
Silvia VenturiniFendi announced that the Carla Fendi Foundation donated 100,000 euros to the intensive care department of the Presidio Sanitario Columbus hospital in Rome.
Renzo Rosso, president of OTB Group (which owns Diesel, Maison Margiela and Marni), asked followers via his Only The Brave Foundation Instagram account to contribute to the foundation so that they can help small centers in need.
Moncler is donating 10 million euros to support the construction of a hospital with over 400 intensive care units in Milan.
The Elaine Gold LaunchPad has donated $250,000 to A Common Thread, and will match any additional donation of up to $250,000, for a total donation of $500,000.
UNIQLO, under their parent company, Fast Retailing, pledged to produce 10 million protective masks, which will be distributed to medical facilities around the world, beginning in early April.
Self Portrait is donating 10% of all sales made in the next 30 days to the National Emergencies Trust. They have also released a free downloadable coloring book for families and children to enjoy while social distancing at home.
Phillip Lim and Prabal Gurung have teamed up with Phenomenal Women to create the campaign "Phenomenally Asian", which raises awareness about the emerging racism against the Asian community due to misconceptions surrounding the virus.
Saks has used their window displays on Fifth Avenue to relay a message of gratitude to the organizations and individuals who are on the frontlines of battling the pandemic. They have also donated $600,000 to multiple organizations that are fighting the virus and supporting those affected by it.
Valentino is donating over $1.1 million through their charity foundation in support of the Columbus Covid 2 Hospital in Rome.
Hickey Freeman is using its facility in Rochester, N.Y. to make protective masks for medical workers in local hospitals.
The Ermenegildo Zegna Group has donated over $3.3 million to the Civil Protection in Italy. Additionally, the luxury fashion house has dedicated parts of its production facilities in Italy and Switzerland to the manufacturing of masks and protective suits for healthcare workers.
Wolford has joined the Global Anti Virus Relief Scheme Initiative by allocating their production resources and fabric technologies to the production of masks.
Mansur Gavriel is donating 10% of every Bucket Bag purchase to Global Giving's Coronavirus Relief Fund, which supports healthcare professionals and communities affected by the pandemic.
Tanya Taylor has started production on 5,000 non-medical grade masks that will be sent to New York City hospitals. They are accepting donations so that they can produce an additional 5,000 masks.
DROMe has been producing 100-150 masks per day for hospitals in Italy and will continue to do so as long as needed.
Vera Bradley is working with their global supply chain to source medical-grade face masks for healthcare workers, as well as producing cotton masks for general protection in their Fort Wayne, Indiana facility. General medical wear and accessories are now available on VeraBradley.com at a discounted rate for healthcare professionals.
Anine Bing is producing 10,000 masks to be donated to foundations in need that are fighting the pandemic.
Ryland Life will be donating 25% of online sales to food banks, shelters, and charities through April 3.
Cuts Clothing has donated over $25,000 to Direct Relief, and will continue to donate 5% of all their sales through April to Direct Relief.
OTB Group is donating 10% of their April online sales from Diesel, Maison Margiela, and Marni to the OTB Foundation for the distribution of protection kits and tools for medical staff and patients.
AG Jeans is donating $1 million to the COVID-19 LA County Response Fund.
The Kate Spade New York Foundation will be donating $100,000 to Crisis Text Line, which provides mental health support to doctors and nurses. The foundation is committing an additional $100,000 to ten existing grantees.
Tod's Group Chairman Diego Della Valle and his family are contributing over $5 million to support the families of health workers who lost their lives in the fight against Covid-19. Anyone wishing to contribute can access the fund via an account opened by Italy's Protezione Civile: IBAN IT66 J030 6905 0201 0000 0066 432.
KAIMIN is partnering with the New York City Economic Development Cooperation, the Department of Health, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation to produce hundreds of thousands of medical gowns for New York's first responders and medical workers.
Chinatown Market has partnered with Marshmello on their Make a T-Shirt Live series. Proceeds from the collaboration will benefit Feeding America's COVID-19 Response Fund.
The Tiffany & Co. Foundation has made a commitment of $750,000 to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the WHO, and $250,000 to The New York Community Trust's NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund.
Roxanne Assoulin has created five new "Remind Yourself… Bracelets" with 10% of the proceeds being donated to the COVID-19 Direct Relief Fund.
MOSCOT is supporting medical professionals on the front line with eyeglasses that offer an additional layer of protection against airborne particles or fluid-borne pathogens from patients.
Current / Elliot, Joie, Equipment and The Collected Group are donating masks to the medical community in New York City.
Fabletics has teamed up with Demi Lovato for a new collection with $5 from every purchase being donated to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the WHO.
Mango has donated 2 million face masks to the Spanish Ministry of Health.
Photos via Getty
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