Fashion labels pitch in amid coronavirus crisis

Aussie fashion brands like Ford Millinery and Scanlan Theodore, whose fans include Meghan Markle, are repurposing their warehouses to create medical equipment such as hospital gowns and face masks in the fight against coronavirus. Luxury brands like Ford Millinery and Scanlan Theodore, whose fans include Meghan Markle, have repurposed their warehouses to create medical equipment such as hospital gowns and face masks. Ford Millinery boss Chantelle Ford, who is renowned for her bespoke headpieces, told Confidential she has designed a series of unique face masks as part of a new charity campaign. “We as a small business have been immediately affected by the coronavirus pandemic from an economic standpoint, our biggest stockist Myer closed their doors on Friday and that’s had huge ramifications for us,” she said. “We’ve been affected by cancelled events, autumn racing and weddings. So that was one side of it, but also there’s a shortage of medical-grade face masks. What we’ve seen in the US and the UK is nurses asking the wider public to make face masks. “We don’t recommend using our masks around known coronavirus patients, but what these are intended for is to ease the demand. It’s a little added precaution for when you’re ducking out of self-isolation to grab essentials.” MORE SYDCON: Ford’s face masks, which are part of her “Masks 4 Mates” campaign, are made of 100 per cent cotton. “It’s a bright addition rather than the clinical masks we’re seeing out there. These can also double up to go on the outside of medical masks,” she said. Although Ford’s business is struggling like many others due to the coronavirus pandemic, she is committed to giving back to help others. For every “Masks 4 Mates” face mask that is sold, she will donate a mask to a chosen charity such as the Salvation Army. “We’re going to donate to a charity or any other organisation that may be in need,” she said. Meanwhile, Scanlan Theodore has also repurposed its factory in Fiji to make protective equipment. “In response to the current global crisis, Scanlan Theodore are repurposing our factory in Fiji to manufacture personal protective equipment, starting with gowns which are now in urgent demand worldwide,” the company wrote on social media. “Our team have sourced the appropriate medical textiles and are moving forward with this commitment immediately. “As a company, we would like to express our gratitude to our dedicated design and production teams who have exhibited strength, unity and efficiency in a collective effort to support this cause.”