They say in crisis, humanity shines, and the fashion industry is continuing to prove this with incredible generosity in response to the Coronavirus crisis. We already know the extraordinary donations various fashion houses have made to the Covid-19 pandemic: Prada donated six complete Intensive Care Units to three hospitals in Milan, Giorgio Armani donated 1.25 million euros to four different hospitals in Italy, Donatella Versace donated 200,000 euros, LVMH is making hand sanitizer in lieu of perfume in its fragrance factories, Moncler donated 10 million euros to The Fiera Hospital Project and Zara Spain is making masks for patients and health workers affected.
But the fashion benevolence continues with news three of the biggest powerhouses in fashion – Prada, Kering and LVMH – are shifting their supply chains to manufacture millions of medical masks and hospital equipment.
Following the news LVMH was making sanitizer in its factories instead of perfume, the luxury conglomerate has now announced it would be supplying the French government with more than 40 million face masks in the coming weeks after striking a deal with a Chinese manufacturer.
The Kering Group, who own Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga, has also pledged 3 million medical masks from China, while Italian house Prada has announced they are to produce 110,000 masks and 80,000 medical overalls to relieve the shortage in their native Italy, a country devastated by the virus. This follows a plea for assistance from the Tuscany Region who are severely encumbered, with the masks and overalls delivered to healthcare personnel around the region by April 6. All items are being produced in Prada’s factory in Montone, which has been kept open for this purpose.
High-street brands are also pledging assistance, with the H&M Group announcing it would be altering its supply chain to produce equipment for hospitals and healthcare workers, while Spanish retailer Mango has donated 2 million face masks to hospitals across Spain.
