Designer Christian Siriano and His Team Created 1,000 Masks for Health Care Workers
One bright spot to emerge from the global coronavirus pandemic? A genuinely moving display of human decency. The latest: Fashion designer Christian Siriano and his team have suspended clothing production and instead will focus on producing face masks and other medical material for health care workers amid the staggering shortages hospitals are facing, especially in New York City, where his business is based.
“Our team has extensive experience manufacturing fabric goods, and we have secured approval and instruction to produce much-needed items during this crisis,” Siriano wrote on his website; he is also accepting donations, 100% of which will go toward cleaning and sterilizing his team’s facilities, providing safe travel accommodations for workers located in and around New York City, and costs of production materials.
On Instagram the designer posted moving photos of him and his team hard at work, writing, “This is life for a little while I guess. But we made 1,000 masks in 3 days and they will be shipped tomorrow! Thank you to everyone who donated on ChristianSiriano.com we can’t thank you enough.”
Earlier this week Siriano explained how his team is operating during this unprecedented time in an interview with Good Morning America. “We have a lot of precautions, and it’s a lot of work. I mean, there are a lot of rules. You really have to regulate,” he said. “I think that's why it’s in such need, just because it wasn’t being done here, and it’s kind of wild that it wasn’t.”
Siriano said he and his team practice social distancing, have their temperature taken every day before coming to work, and have enlisted professionals to advise on the creation of the masks.
“You can’t just up and start making masks. You really have to make sure they’re protected,” he said. “If this is not going to meet any FDA or CDC regulations, then you can’t send it to a hospital. Your friends can wear them, but I would want anyone in the medical field wearing it. You want to make sure it’s protecting everyone.”
The designer added, “I think the masks that we are making are actually an upgrade from what they even have. It’s washable, bleachable,” he said. “That was really important that you could rewear it. They wear it every day and are loving it. Even if we help 100 people, that’s more people than nothing.”
In addition to Siriano, dozens of other influential figures have stepped up, including designer Ralph Lauren, who committed $10 million toward COVID-19 relief, while Alice and Olivia’s Stacey Bendet and Brandon Maxwell are also making medical supplies for those on the front lines. Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni raised millions of euros for hospitals, and Rihanna and her nonprofit organization donated personal protective equipment to New York City hospitals.
Earlier, Today anchor Hoda Kotbe broke down in tears after an interview with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who pledged $5 million to the coronavirus-ravaged state of Louisiana.
Read Siriano’s full statement from his website below, then visit christiansiriano.com to donate.
With the cooperation and encouragement of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Christian Siriano atelier is halting clothing production and undertaking mass production of face masks and health care materials to be given to emergency and frontline health care workers amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Our team has extensive experience manufacturing fabric goods, and we have secured approval and instruction to produce much-needed items during this crisis. 100% of your donation goes toward the cleaning and frequent sterilization of workers’ spaces and facilities, providing safe and private travel accommodations for our workers located in and around New York City, and costs of production materials.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
