Companies in the style industry are quickly mobilising their response to the COVID-19 crisis. Many are switching production, while big brands like LVMH, Kering, Armani, Prada and Ralph Lauren are diverting to production of essential items like sanitisers, masks and medical suits.
The three factories of LVMH, that earlier produced perfume and cosmetics factories, have started producing hand sanitisers. This is for distribution to hospitals fighting the outbreak in France.The production plants of Armani will also start producing single use medical overalls. It is the brand’s effort to support healthcare workers in the Covid-19 crisis.
Gucci (owned by Kering) and Prada are churning out masks and overalls for medical workers. Ralph Lauren is also pitching in, producing medical masks.
Fast fashion label H&M plans to use its extensive supply chain network to help hospitals in need of supplies like masks and gowns. Inditex, the company that owns Zara, has offered to do the same.
Having cancelled the Met Gala, Vogue is working with the CFDA (Council Of Fashion Designers Of America) on a new initiative to raise both awareness and needed funds for those in the American fashion community who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a repurposing of the existing fashion fund from CFDA and Vogue.
In addition, the CFDA is helping connect designers and manufacturers with local agencies in the US – which involves sourcing materials and large-scale production capabilities.
