I would be remiss if I didn’t commend the beauty and fashion industries for rethinking their manufacturing capabilities for the Coronavirus pandemic. Why? because of personal protection equipment shortages. But did you know Christian Siriano Put Fashion on the Frontline by heeding Governor Cuomo’s plea for much-needed medical masks and gowns for healthcare heroes?
How did Project Runway’s Season Four winner singlehandedly respond to the governor’s tweet? Siriano tweeted, “I have a full sewing team still on staff working from home that can help.”
I think Margaret Thatcher’s quote, “Don’t follow the crowd; let the crowd follow you,” is appropriate. It usually takes one person to make a difference. This time, that one person is Christian Siriano.
It’s not the first time Mr. Siriano has answered a call to fashion. He stepped up to the plate when SNL actress Leslie Jones had trouble securing a designer who would style her for the Ghostbuster’s red carpet premiere. Christian Siriano has now garnered quite a reputation for his willingness to be inclusive with his line.
I admire the brand goodwill, where fashion designers reboot their operations to help with shortages of masks and gowns. The first move made by Christian Siriano: the fashion designer’s ten seamstresses created 1,000 N-95 covers for frontline healthcare workers.
Siriano and other fashion and beauty companies’ quick pivot allowed them to safeguard their livelihoods by becoming essential businesses. Just what are primary (essential) companies?
This quote provides the perfect definition from the fashion perspective of essential businesses: “Most fashion companies are in the business of nonessential stuff—dresses and handbags and chinos. But manufacturing face masks of all types is more likely viewed as an essential business.”
Remember, on April 3, the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines suggested that people wear “simple cloth face coverings” to cover their nose and mouth to help “slow the spread of the virus?
By now, there’s hardly a fashion or apparel brand that hasn’t stepped up to retool its production lines to help – pumping out face masks, both medical and consumer-grade. As well as other essential supplies, check out the brands here:
International beauty megabrands like L’Oreal and Coty began producing large quantities of hand sanitizers for European hospitals. In Spain, Zara is also looking into refitting its textile factories to make hospital gowns.
LVMH (Louis Vuitton) will repurpose production lines used to manufacture perfumes to produce 12 tons of hand sanitizer. LVMH recently announced the ordering of 40 million facemasks from a Chinese supplier bound for France. Even Chanel and Burberry are developing prototype face masks and gowns for production.
Ralph Lauren pledged to donate $10 million to aid Coronavirus relief efforts and to produce face masks and isolation gowns.
Brandon Maxwell: making masks and gowns for healthcare workers
Lily Pultizer: used leftover fabric to create 27 500 iconic pink and green coverings for over 60 organizations #bethesunshine
Alice +Olivia: created covers, not for the front lines but the public, too #letsmasktogether
Gap: shifted its resources to make vital gear for healthcare workers battling the Coronavirus pandemic.
H & M, the world’s second-biggest fashion retailer, started production of protective face masks for hospital staff in Spain and Italy.
Rag and Bone answered Cuomo’s plea by making face masks.
Brooks Brothers is reopening its three U.S. factories to manufacture protective masks and gowns for healthcare workers.
Naeem Khan: started making fabric masks using the natural fiber hemp because of it’s antibacterial properties.
Dior: The company reopened its Baby Dior factory in Redon, in the Brittany region of France, to produce protective masks.
Since the second week of March, we have learned that essential businesses and services include grocery stores, banks, gas stations, laundromats, and trade services such as plumbing and electrical work.
Now, thanks to Christian Siriano, many fashion and beauty companies are considered essential businesses where they can keep their employees working and provide needed PPE.
Meanwhile, here in Pennsylvania, many counties are moving to the yellow phase for reopening amid the Coronavirus pandemic. However, the stay-at-home restriction has not been lifted for the county in which I reside.
As always, thank you for reading. Please stay safe! Have a relaxing and quiet Memorial Day weekend.
