Fashion Break: How Fashion Houses Are Revamping Production for COVID-19 Efforts
Since the global outbreak of COVID-19, the world has been on pause.
Companies all over the world have suddenly found themselves taking measures they never imagined preparing for—and the fashion world is no different. Major brands like Gucci, Prada, and LVMH, the motherhouse of Dior, have joined the fight against the coronavirus by donating essential items to countries in need, along with using their existing factories as manufacturing sites for medical equipment and masks in order to combat the global shortage.
Image Courtesy: Vogue
Some brands, like Ralph Lauren, have split the donated funds towards various causes, including the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and the Emergency Assistance Foundation for Ralph Lauren colleagues "facing special circumstances like medical, elder care or childcare needs.” Ralph Lauren has also made moves to work with the U.S. to create over 25,000 isolation gowns and 250,000 masks for the shortage relief, adding the label to the growing list of fashion giants that have joined the fight against the coronavirus. Reformation, another American brand, is also contributing to the pandemic with its recent announcement of a partnership with the city of Los Angeles in efforts of producing masks and helping local companies organize their supply chains into doing the same.
Image Courtesy: Elle
Many brands are donating materials to their cities of origin. Prada has taken this a step further by donating six intensive care units to hospitals in Milan in response to Italy’s severe outbreak and also announced the production of about 190,000 items of medical equipment, including overalls and masks. With LVMH having its headquarters based in Paris, the company is doing what it can to assist the country in combating the pandemic. LVMH has donated over 40 million FFP2 and surgical masks to French healthcare workers, and most recently, announced that three of its perfume manufacturing facilities would begin producing hand sanitizers to distribute free of charge to the French health authorities. The luxury brand expects to produce around 12 tons of the hydroalcoholic gel.
Image Courtesy: Vogue
As the battle against the outbreak continues, this will continue to be a revolutionary year for fashion, as it is almost certain that more brands will be altering their manufacturing structures in order to provide a method of support for affected countries and join the fight in combating this epidemic.
One thing is for sure, there’s something impressive about the solidarity of fashion houses joining the consumer world in taking on this global crisis. Coming together to help the community will always be in style.
Strike Out,
Writer: Faithe Desinor
Boca Raton