Facing COVID-19 with style

Due to the pandemic virus, many countries are struggling to keep supplies for health staff such as face masks and hand sanitizer. Luckily, the fashion industry has had the initiative to show its support and help their communities worldwide.

After a month of lockdown in Italy, Spain and the United States, which are the top 3 of countries with more COVID-19 cases, have had some good news from iconic brands like Ralph Lauren. The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation has made an outstanding donation of $10 million to help fight the coronavirus crisis.

OUTSTANDING DONATIONS

The American fashion house's contribution will go towards many causes relating to the crisis, these include; providing financial grants for Emergency Assistance Foundation for Ralph Lauren colleagues in need; contributing to the World Health Organisation COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund; supporting cancer patients during this vulnerable time through its already existing Pink Pony Fund; supporting A Common Thread which is an initiative aiming to support American fashion designers suffering financially from the COVID-19 fallout; and finally, producing 25,000 gowns and 250,000 masks.

Not only Ralph Lauren has standout with his generous aid, but also Christian Siriano. The CFDA designer embraced the task of making face masks for healthcare workers back on March 22nd, producing an average of 300 to 500 masks a day. Now, the designer has made over 12,000 colorful face masks for the medical team in the city.

FACING THE FIGHT

Equally important, the Italian label: Gucci has provided 1,100,000 surgical masks and 5,000 medical overalls. Likewise, the brand will donate to the Italian Civil Protection Department and the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Furthermore, the brand will launch its fundraising platform #GucciComunity where its followers will be able to donate to the WHO’s initiative.

Likewise, the French conglomerate LVMH and its owner, Bernard Arnault, has produced hand sanitizer for French authorities and public hospitals. In addition, it ordered 40 million masks from China to distribute to the country’s healthcare systems. Moreover, Louis Vuitton (a brand from LVMH) has employed 300 artisans to produce thousands of non-surgical face masks in its France factories, which will be distributed to individuals in need.

COMBATING THE VIRUS

On the other hand, Michael Kors (founder of Capri Holdings and owner of Versace and Jimmy Choo) and Capri Holdings have pledged $3 million to combat coronavirus. Although, 2 of those millions come from Michael himself to aid relief efforts in NYC, distributing those 2 million between the New York University Langone and New York-Presbyterian hospitals ($750,000 each), $250,000 donation to the A Common Threat (created by the CFDA and Vogue), and finally $250,000 to God’s Love We Deliver.

As for Versace, Donatella Versace donated €200,000 to the intensive care department of San Raffaele, meanwhile, Jimmy Choo in the UK will donate $250,000 each to the World Health Organization’s Solidarity Response Fund and the National Health Service.

Back in the U.S., the PVH Corp. (Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation) has pledged $1 million to COVID-19 relief, as well as providing more than 2 million units of personal protective equipment to health workers of New York’s Montefiore Health System. In addition, the chairman and CEO of PVH Corp, Manny Chirico expressed that its company is working hard to protect his co-workers and business, due to Chirico is recovering from coronavirus himself:

“As I work with our global leadership team to address a responsible plan forward for our business, how we execute it as good corporate citizens is an important part of our discussions”.

As we can see countless efforts are being made throughout the fashion industry and luxury sector, hoping at the same time to get through this trial that humanity is facing, and waiting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

In the meantime, all we can do is cope with these extreme measures that our communities are taking. Even though we can go to our local mall and make some weekend-purchases, we can help by donating whatever we want (and can), just like these outstanding designers.

Furthermore, all we can do is have some patience which will be our ally and we should feel like out of our comfort zone, even though we are in our homes.