Ralph Lauren is producing medical masks and gowns, becoming the latest designer brand to offer aid in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Ralph Lauren announced that it has shifted its production to making medical masks and gowns through its charitable arm, Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation. According to the foundation, it will start producing 250,000 masks and 25,000 isolation gowns in the US.
It has also pledged a donation of $10 million towards the global response to the coronavirus pandemic, as the US death toll has exceeded 1,000 casualties.
Ralph Lauren, executive chairman of the fashion brand, said: "At the heart of our company, there has always been a spirit of togetherness that inspires our creativity, our confidence and most importantly our support for one another. In the past weeks and months, that spirit has never wavered."
As the demand for medical wear continues to increase amidst the pandemic, other retailers have also shifting production lines to manufacture face masks and gowns, while car manufacturers are looking at how they can help make ventilators.
Luxury coat brand Canada Goose said it would begin producing gowns to be donated to healthcare workers at two of its previously closed Canadian manufacturing facilities next week, with the initial goal of producing scrubs and gowns.
Dani Reiss, chief executive of Canada Goose, explained: "Across Canada, there are people risking their lives every day on the frontlines of Covid-19 in healthcare facilities, and they need help. Now is the time to put our manufacturing resources and capabilities to work for the greater good."
Meanwhile, Ford is working with 3M and GE Healthcare to make medical equipment and protective gear as healthcare workers across the US experience a shortage in supplies, including masks, gloves and ventilators.
In an announcement, Ford chief executive officer (CEO) Jim Hackett said: “Working with 3M and GE, we have empowered our teams of engineers and designers to be scrappy and creative to quickly help scale up production of this vital equipment.”
