I was so inspired when I heard what the fashion houses and other parts of the fashion industry have been doing to come together in the fight against the pandemic. I definitely could use some positive news to focus on and this was very uplifting.
Big Fashion Houses Making a Difference
Brands like Prada, Armani and Gucci have all dedicated their efforts to using their factories to help make medical scrubs for hospitals. Gucci as well as Versace have also made large donations to the hospitals.
Ralph Lauren, one of top fashion brands in the United States, has pledged $10 million to coronavirus relief efforts. In addition they are in production for 250,000 face masks and 25,000 isolation gowns. What an amazing contribution.
Other companies like Chanel have made commitments to employees to pay them and retain them during the crisis as well as also produce protective masks and gowns for the hospitals.
So many have donated right here in New York. Saks Fifth Avenue has pledged $600,000 to multiple causes including New York Presbyterian Hospital to support Covid-19. While Michael Kors and Kate Spade have donated several million to support causes such as New York hospitals and small businesses.
How You Can Donate To The Industry
The CFDA/Vouge Fashion Fund which has now been renamed, A Common Thread, by Anna Wintour and Tom Ford have redirected the focus of the fund to help designers, brands workers and small businesses seeking relief as an impact from the crisis. The parameters haven’t been fully defined yet to determine who will get the money but A Common Thread will tell the stories of American designers, how they are coping, how business are being affected and the plans to move forward.
Anna Wintour stated in her Vouge.com article “There is no simple fix…but I hope it is a step in the right direction.” If you would like to donate to A Common Thread you can contribute by texting THREAD to 44-321 or by clicking here.
The efforts above are just a few highlights from the hundreds of designers and fashion house brands that have made contributions all over the world. It is truly inspiring and a testament to an extraordinary industry.
-XOXO
Carissa
