Coronavirus fashion rescue: 6 luxury designer labels that swapped haute couture for making masks and protective gear
Project Runway’s Michael Costello, Brandon Maxwell and Christian Siriano among the high-profile names who’ve stepped up to provide essential protective garments to frontliners dealing with the coronavirus crisis
Global luxury fashion brands like Christian Dior, Burberry, Gucci and Ralph Lauren are not the only ones filling in the shortage of medical equipment to fight Covid-19. These smaller, but equally, creative names in the luxury fashion industry are helping their communities in their own (run) way.
Although protective clothing is deemed as a “non-essential” in most countries, these six luxury fashion designers have stepped up to produce thousands of masks and protective wear for medical professionals in need.
Christian Siriano
Fashion designer and former Project Runway winner Christian Siriano worked remotely with his team to produce thousands of masks to support health care professionals in New York. Siriano sent a tweet to the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo. The governor accepted his help and the designer went on to produce masks and gowns for the front-liners.
Siriano has designed dresses for celebrities like Zendaya, Ashley Graham and Billy Porter. However, the masks are his current focus. The designer has posted on Instagram to tell his followers that “the (luxury) gowns take a back seat to our mission right now”.
Khoon Hooi
Malaysian fashion designer Khoon Hooi rolled up his sleeves to personally stitch together personal protective equipment (PPE) for the frontliners at local hospitals. Khoon Hooi is known for his detailed and sophisticated dresses, with striking, yet gorgeous colours. The designer’s outfits have been featured at the Golden Globes, and most significantly on Katy Perry at last year’s Jingle Ball in Minnesota.
Michael Costello