The coronavirus outbreak has led to shortages of protective equipment across the world; fortunately, some of the biggest names in fashion have decided to help out.
The latest in that long list is Zara, which is now converting it factories to create masks for first responders in Spain. It will also produce hospital gowns.
Spain has the fourth highest number of cases, after China, italy and the United States.
Earlier this week it was also announced that French company The Kering Group was going to re-task some of its factories in China to produce more than 3-million masks that will be imported into Europe.
“The French workshops of Kering’s Houses Balenciaga and Saint Laurent are preparing to manufacture masks while complying with the strictest health protection measures for their staff members, with production getting underway as soon as the manufacturing process and materials have been approved by the relevant authorities,” said company’s website said.
And it’s not just large companies doing their bit. Project Runway mentor Christian Siriano has volunteered his sewing team to make masks for New York State, which has been the epicentre of the outbreak in the US.
“Thanks everyone for all the support. We are making waves and working on getting approvals before we start anything,” he wrote on Saturday. “It’s very important before anyone does anything to help, please make sure what you are making is safe and hopefully FDA approved. We must be smart,” said Siriano on social media.
Esquire now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit ‘Like’ on our Esquire Facebook page and ‘Follow’ on our @esquiremiddleeast Instagram and Twitter account.
