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.
Chanel
According to Business of Fashion, Chanel announced yesterday that it would begin production of face masks to help produce protective masks and blouses as coronavirus makes its way across France. Supplies are set to reach critically low shortages as healthcare professionals report that they are going through 40 million face masks per week. Prototype samples are currently in the process of being worked on and will be approved by French authorities.
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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NARHjCLkD/
LVMH
LVMH, parent company of Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Christian Dior and more was one of the first luxury conglomerates to use their facilities to help fight coronavirus. On March 19th they began production of hand-sanitizing gel at some of its French facilities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Donatella Versace
Allegra and Donatella Versace have pledged a personal donation of 200,000 euro to help Milan’s San Rafaelle Hospitals ICU department.
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.
Great article!
Awesome article! Great to see what Brands/Houses we should be supporting & giving our money to going forward.
Hermès is producing hand sanitizer as well.
Are they really producing hand sanitizer? After I read your comment I texted my Hermes SA and she spoke to her Supervisor and they had no knowledge of this. I had hoped it was true so Hermes could provide it to hospitals and the general public. Can you provide me your references re: this topic? Thx!
I asked the same, and likewise mine had no clue either. She said every one production sites is shut down so she had no idea where or how it would be produced with nothing open. And I hate to be a Debbie downer, and am grateful for positive peer pressure, but I think some of these houses are only stepping up b/c they are having to not b/c they are so philanthropic and generous.
It was an internal memo reported by AFP (Agence France-Presse). Morningstar reported on it in the US: https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/202003173711/hermes-closes-bulk-of-production-sites-until-march-30-due-to-pandemic-afp
According to your source in Morning Star: “–The French company said it will keep operating its perfumes and cosmetics production site, where it is considering producing hydroalcoholic gel to cover France’s needs but will shut its 42 other sites in its home country, AFP reports. Hermes will also close production sites in Switzerland, AFP reports”.
Therefore, “considered producing…” to me means that they “thought about it”, but never produced it or haven’t initiated production yet. That explains why my S.A. and her Supervisor had no knowledge of it. Overall, Hermes is a company that is a leader in designer handbags and should help because ethically and morally it’s the right thing to do. I’ve been shopping at Hermes for the past 12 years, since they opened a store in my City, but I feel no obligation to continue to support them if they can’t help the community. Thank you for responding back to me, I do appreciate it!
Understood. It seems very H to play it close to the vest, but those who want to support companies stepping up in this time are basing their decisions on public information.
That said, after dusting off my rusty French (and some help from Google translate), they donated 30 tons of gel and 31,000 of their masks:
https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/hermes-reduit-son-dividende-et-don-de-20-millions-deuros-pour-lap-hp-1366236
Thank you! This was important to me and I greatly appreciate your correspondence and time!
How could you not even mention LV here? They were the FIRST to start producing hand sanitizer. Granted they (LVMH) own Dior also, which subsequently did the same, but LV set the stage. A big miss not to include as the first on deck. Also, anyone heard from Chanel? …yeah me either. And so far not a single IG post from Hermes other than men in suits waterskiing.
We covered this in its own article last week!
No I know, but I still think that saying, we covered LV last week who launched the first xxx, others have followed suit…Just a reference to them when you include your big list I think as apropos.
An article by Kaitlin was dedicated strictly to LVMH and their manufacturing of hand-sanitizer on Mar 16, 2020; however, what is Chanel and Hermes doing to assist at this time? My Hermes S.A. sent me an email re: that while she currently couldn’t sell me anything that I could send her my “wish list” and she would have it ready once the store opened. Hmmm..not exactly the “help” that I was thinking Hermes should be offering at this time. I do understand she needs employment though and hopefully Hermes is helping take care of their staff, at the very least.
Please see my comments below. Hermès produced 30 tons of sanitizer and provided 31,000 masks to the French government.
Yes, I read your updated comments below. It’s good to see that all of the major design houses are contributing their resources.
I am so glad that these fashion companies are using their existing resources to help, instead of trying to do fund-raising from the public.
This is really interesting, thank you for the article! I find it touching and inspiring that how some of these brands and individuals have stepped up. While I’m sure that, financially, they could likely do quite a bit more — it’s also true that they’re nearly all built on having a pretty exclusive/upper tier image. To see them strip that aside and really produce life-saving products for the everyman — it’s great. I’m very glad they’ve stepped up.
Whattabout Coach? They are as cliche and pandering as the rest, aren’t they? My nose rests,Your Honor!
I haven’t heard anything about Coach manufacturing medical supplies; however, they have committed $2MM to the NYC Small Business Continuity Fund and matching their employees donations to response efforts.
Chanel’s image is in the thumbnail but no donation or efforts to assist in the body of the post…am I missing something or are we hinting at notable absentees?
Try clearing your browser’s cache. It’s there, first on the list!
I have been crying reading this entire article…I didn’t know the Major Fashion Houses were doing this…wow.
i can not help but cry reading how not only these brands ,but other non fashion brands have pulled together to join in on the battle against Corno V19. I would gladly support any of these brands because of their generous nature. Let’s stay inside and stay well!
In Australia, all European brands have closed, but Dior and Louis Vuitton has not. Is there any idea to protect the health of employees? Or simply those two brands are just greedy for making more money as much as they can instead of protect their employees.