We’re in the midst of a world-wide pandemic as coronavirus spreads across our nation and our world. Here in the US, we’ve all had to change the way we live very quickly in order to help combat the spread of this disease and flatten the curve so that our healthcare system does not become overwhelmed. Meanwhile, across the world, Italy’s healthcare system is already being taxed. Our healthcare workers are working overtime to help save lives as incredibly sick patients are admitted, overwhelming hospitals and leaving doctors, nurses and hospital staff without the proper gear to safely do their jobs.
It can be overwhelming to watch the news at a time when everything feels uncertain, but seeing countless fashion and beauty brands do their part to help where they can is inspiring. Brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, Ralph Lauren, Dior and more are helping to give back in various ways. Some are raising funds to help hospitals and distribute PPE (personal protective equipment) gear to healthcare workers and others are rising funds to aid families directly affected by this virus. See below for some of the brands that are doing their part.
Gucci
Gucci pledged to help fight this global pandemic by donating to two separate campaigns. The first was a 1 million euro donation to the Italian Civil Protection Department which will aid in sourcing new ICU beds and help Italy’s ailing health services.
Additionally, the Italian fashion house made a second 1 million euro donation to the UN’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. The fund supports the World Health Organization in collecting data on the spread of coronavirus and helps to supply personal protective equipment to health personnel.
View this post on InstagramWe Are All in This Together. Gucci stands with its global community to fight the #Covid19 pandemic by making two separate donations to crowdfunding campaigns. Locally, in Italy where the company is based, a 1 million euros donation to the Italian Civil Protection Department #DipartimentoProtezioneCivile in partnership with @intesasanpaolo’s #ForFunding platform to reinforce Italy’s health services and to source new ICU beds. Globally, Gucci donated 1 million euros to the United Nations Foundation’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund in support of the World Health Organization @who through Facebook’s US$10 million Matching Fundraiser to monitor and collect data on the spread of the virus to strengthen ICUs across the world, supply protection equipment to health personnel and fast-track the creation of vaccines and therapies. The initiatives are captured in an original illustration gifted by Rome-based artist @mp5art, a person who holds their hand on their heart a message of human solidarity. “Gucci has created a world, open and free: a Gucci global community. We ask all of you to be the changemakers in this crisis, to stand together with us in the fight against the Coronavirus. We are all in this together,” say @alessandro_michele, Creative Director of Gucci, and #MarcoBizzarri, President and CEO of Gucci. Calling on our #GucciCommunity to join with us, give through our Donate Sticker on Stories to the United Nations Foundation’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund in support of the World Health Organization @who, and on gucci.forfunding.it to donate to the Italian Civil Protection Department #DipartimentoProtezioneCivile. Discover more about the crowdfunding campaigns through link in bio. Starting from tomorrow, Gucci’s social channels will feature the official messages of @who to help spread useful information and prevention for the virus. #StaySafe #FlattenTheCurve
Prada
The Italian fashion label has begun production of 110,000 masks and 80,000 medical overalls, which will be distributed to healthcare personnel. The items will be produced at Pradsa’s factory in Montone which remains open in order to aid in the manufacturing of these emergency medical items.
View this post on Instagram@prada is the latest luxury brand to announce that it will be assisting during the Covid-19 crisis. The Italian label has started the production of 80,000 medical overalls and 110,000 masks to be allocated to healthcare personnel, following a request from the region of Tuscany. The plan provides for daily deliveries, which will be completed by April 6. The emergency items are being produced at the Prada factory in Montone, which has stayed open for this purpose. ? ? This announcement follows the news that LVMH is repurposing its Givenchy and Dior cosmetics factories to produce hand sanitizer for French hospitals, as well as Kering S.A. (owner of Balenciaga, Gucci, and Bottega Veneta) announcing it will be manufacturing surgical masks to aid the shortage in France. #hsnews
Ralph Lauren
In addition to a $10 Million commitment from the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation to aid in COVID-19 relief efforts, the brand has also pledged to make 25,000 isolation gowns and 250,000 masks. The funds set aside by the RL Foundation will provide financial grants to Ralph Lauren colleagues facing obstacles such as medical, eldercare or childcare expenses. Additionally the grant will contribute to the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
View this post on InstagramThe Ralph Lauren Corporation is starting the production of 250,000 masks and 25,000 isolation gowns with our U.S. manufacturing partners for donation to support the fight against COVID-19.
CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was originally created after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, but now it is being repurposed to held aid COVID-19 relief efforts. Now called A Common Thread: CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund will help raise and distribute funds to those most affected by the global pandemic.
View this post on InstagramToday, we are announcing the creation of A Common Thread: CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund for COVID-19 Relief, which is repurposing the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was originally established as a response to the tragedy that took place on 9/11. Now, as we are all faced with new challenges, it is being repurposed—in addition to raising and distributing funds to those who have been most affected—to tell the stories of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes across the country in our incredibly strong and vibrant fashion industry. Applications will be available on the @CFDA website beginning on Wednesday, April 8 (and the fund is not limited to former Fashion Fund participants or members of the CFDA). Tap the link in our bio to donate to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund for COVID-19 Relief and to learn more. Photographs courtesy of @cfda.
Prabal Gurung
New York based designer Prabal Grung, working with NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, has vowed to help supply local hospitals in need with critical PPE gear. The designer’s team has been working to create a plan to manufacture this in-demand gear in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
View this post on InstagramThe PG team has been working tirelessly over the course of the last week to finalize an actionable plan to manufacture PPE for medical workers and first responders who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. 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. While we are eager to share our progress with you all, the Coronavirus crisis is ever evolving, and as new information is revealed, so are new FDA and state regulations. In this moment, credible and validated information is of the utmost importance for the advancement of all COVID-19 relief efforts. We are currently working in partnership with @nygovcuomo office & local hospitals to secure clearance to produce, and ensure the viability of our output. More updates to follow!
Dior
Dior follows through with the initiative started by parent company LVMH by dedicating its Saint-Jean-De-Braye production facilities to produce hand sanitizing gel. The hydroalcoholic gel will be delivered to French health care authorities for distribution at local hospitals.
View this post on Instagram#DiorStandsWithYou Because we care about your health and mostly those who protect us on the front lines. Since Monday, Dior has dedicated its production site Saint-Jean-De-Braye to produce large quantities of hydroalcoholic gel for free delivery to the French health authorities as priority to the AP-HP, Paris’ public hospital network. We are proud to take part of this initiative, launched by LVMH, alongside those of Givenchy and Guerlain. LVMH will continue to honour this commitment for as long as necessary. We all stand united in this fight against Covid-19. • #LVMH #StaySafe #DiorStandsWithYou
Gelareh Mizrahi
Every dollar raised by handbag designer Gelareh Mizrahi will be used to provide critical PPE gear to hospitals across the United States. The designer started the fundraiser to honor her brother who is an ER physician at a hospital in Brooklyn, NY. All funds raised will be used to purchase PPE gear from a CDC verified factory. Donate now.
View this post on InstagramLink in bio to donate to get masks and personal protective equipment directly to hospitals. They protect us… #weprotectthem
Reformation
Reformation is using their factories and fabrics to create masks for essential workers in LA such as grocery store employees, sanitation workers and more. Creating a surplus of non-medical grade masks, ensures that medical grade supplies will be available to the healthcare workers who need them most.
View this post on InstagramWe are partnering with the City of Los Angeles to make masks in our LA factory for essential workers who desperately need them. Link in bio for more.
Kering SA
In addition to its efforts made by Gucci, parent company Kering, has acted to help aid COVID-19 relief efforts. The company announced it would use the workshops of Saint Laurent and Balenciaga to manufacture masks. Additionally, ahead of its production of surgical masks, Kering announced it would be donating 3 million surgical masks purchased and imported from China.
View this post on InstagramLuxury fashion group Kering S.A. — owners of Balenciaga, Gucci, and Bottega Veneta — has responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by announcing it will be manufacturing surgical masks to aid the shortage in France. ?The news follows the multi-million dollar donation it made in January.? ? In a statement released last night, Kering said the workshops of luxury houses Balenciaga and Saint Laurent are “preparing to manufacture masks while complying with the strictest health protection measures for their staff members, with production getting underway as soon as the manufacturing process and materials have been approved by the relevant authorities.”? ? Ahead of the production of surgical masks, Kering SA also announced it will be donating 3 million surgical masks purchased and imported from China. Additionally, Kering’s largest brand Gucci is expected to donate 1.1 million surgical masks and 55,000 medical overalls in Italy over the next few weeks.? ? This announcement follows last week’s news that rival group LVMH would be repurposing its Givenchy and Dior cosmetics factories to produce and distribute free hand sanitizer to French hospitals and also pledging 40 million surgical masks to French health authorities. #hsnews
Donatella Versace
Allegra and Donatella Versace have pledged a personal donation of 200,000 euro to help Milan’s San Rafaelle Hospitals ICU department.
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Christian Siriano
Christian Siriano pledged to use his resources to help make masks ensuring that all legal requirements would be met. His team of pattern makers and sewers help make 1,000 masks in just 3 days.
View this post on InstagramThis is life for a little while I guess. But we made 1,000 masks in 3 days and they will be shipped tomorrow! Thank you to everyone who donated on ChristianSiriano.com we can’t thank you enough.
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