As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spreads globally, leading fashion designers are leveraging their resources to support frontline healthcare workers facing shortages of protective gear. Alongside initiatives like LVMH producing free hand sanitizer and Donatella Versace’s donations, smaller labels are pivoting to create urgently needed masks, gowns, and other PPE. Here are the designers stepping up:
Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss
Jean-Raymond (known for dressing stars like Gabrielle Union and Issa Rae) converted his NYC office into a PPE donation hub, collecting masks and gloves for redistribution to medical staff. He also raised $10,000 for PPE and $100,000 to aid pandemic-impacted small businesses.
Christian Siriano
After New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sought manufacturers for masks, Siriano mobilized his team to produce hundreds daily, sharing updates on Instagram.
Brandon Maxwell
The designer, favored by Lady Gaga, shifted production to PPE gowns using medically approved fabrics and aims to expand into masks and gloves as guidelines evolve.
Stacey Bendet of Alice + Olivia
Bendet’s team is crafting masks from excess fabric and designing hospital gowns based on medical specifications for New York healthcare workers.
Prabal Gurung
Gurung announced his NYC-based studio would produce masks and gowns, collaborating with Governor Cuomo’s office and hospitals to ensure compliance and reactivate domestic suppliers.
Michael Costello
The LA-based designer (who has dressed Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez) teamed with local manufacturers and his staff to fulfill mask requests for West Coast healthcare needs.
Rachel Comey
The LA designer called on manufacturers to supply hospital gowns and shared a DIY mask tutorial for non-medical use.
Cynthia Rowley
Rowley published a mask pattern online and is making hundreds of masks to distribute locally, aiming to slow infection rates.
Naeem Khan
Known for ornate designs, Khan developed a hemp mask prototype with a disposable filter pocket.
Ralph Lauren
Beyond donating $10 million to relief efforts, the brand committed to producing 250,000 masks and 25,000 isolation gowns.
Tanya Taylor
Taylor’s team sewed 5,000 masks for NYC hospitals and launched a crowdsourcing effort to donate 10,000 more.