In the midst of a global pandemic, it feels like we are inundated with bad news. You can’t turn on the television without hearing about the unprecedented impact that COVID-19 is having on our economy, our healthcare system and the way we live our lives.
But what has been so inspiring amidst this chaos is how the fashion world has stepped up to not only financially support the crisis, but pivot their manufacturing to support healthcare workers and the healthcare industry in general. We want to highlight a few of those brands (some of which we work with and are so proud to be their packaging partners)– both large and small – who are doing incredible work to fight this pandemic.
RALPH LAUREN: RL has pledged a generous $10 million to coronavirus relief efforts, which marks the biggest donation by a luxury company to date. In addition, they are producing 250,000 face masks and 25,000 isolation gowns for health care workers and is donating to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund to support designers who are being impacted by the economic downturn.
LVMH: LVMH is pivoting its manufacturing facilities to process large amounts of hand-sanitizing gel, which it will distribute free of charge to heath authorities in France. It will also donate 40 million face masks.
ESTEE LAUDER: Estee Lauder has donated $2 million to Doctors Without Borders to support its efforts in countries that lack substantial resources to combat COVID-19. It has also reopened its Long Island factory for the production of hand-sanitizing gel.
BROOKS BROTHERS: With factories in New York, North Carolina and Massachusetts, Brooks Brothers will produce medical masks and gowns with the goal of manufacturing 150,000 masks per day.
RAILS: The LA based fashion brand is pausing production of its collection to produce 5,000 masks which it will distribute to local communities. Rails will also donate an undisclosed percentage of the sales on its website to No Kid Hungry.
H&M: The H&M Foundation donated $500,000 to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and is also arranging for production of personal protective equipment that will be distributed to hospitals around the globe.
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE: Saks has pledged $600,000 to organizations that support COVID-19 relief efforts, hundreds of thousands of dollars to the New York-Presbyterian COVID-19 Patient Care Fund, $200,000 to Bring Change to Mind Fund which is creating virtual programs for high school students aimed to reduce feelings of isolation, and $150,000 to Girls Inc, which will provide social and emotional support for girls affected by the pandemic.
JOHN ELLIOT: the LA based brand has pledged 10% of purchases up to $100,000 to the UCLA Health Fund, and also has made a donation of $10,000 to the organization.
When this is all over, we look forward to continuing to partner with many of these companies to create beautiful packaging that will bring joy to their customers!
Sewing Photo courtesy latimes.com