COVID-19: Asian fashion designers sew protective gear for health frontliners

As the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise around the world, designers and labels have responded to the pandemic by offering their factories and manpower to produce essential goods such as hand sanitisers and protective clothing for frontline workers.

The Malaysian Official Designers Association (Moda) has rallied its designers and seamstresses to help make personal protective equipment (PPE) like hospital gowns. Designers Khoon Hooi, Melinda Looi, Key Ng, Celest Thoi and Alia Bastamam, who are Moda members, have put their sewing machines to good use, and made and delivered close to 2,000 hospital gowns so far.

Fashion designer Khoon Hooi told Yahoo Lifestyle SEA, “Having free time is indeed a privilege to us in the fashion industry. Since we have the available manpower plus the equipment, and production has come to a halt, there is no excuse for us to not step up and help combat the shortages for PPE gowns. It also keeps us busy and productive. I see it as a call of duty.”

Another fashion designer who was involved with the effort, Celest Thoi, shared: “We need our frontliners to be protected, strong and have high morale! We are all in this together... for if they fall, we fall.”

Interested volunteers in Malaysia can email modamalaysia2019@gmail.com or WhatsApp +6012-8580899.

In Singapore, Meiko Tailor has teamed up with stay-at-home sewers to fulfil the demand for handmade fabric masks. As of 8 April, Meiko Tailor has distributed about 150 masks, with some donated to Grab and Deliveroo riders. If you would like to order your own batch of cotton fabric masks, email Meiko Tailor at enquiry@meikotailor.com.

Meanwhile, designers in the Philippines have also contributed to the production of hazmat suits and masks. Celebrity fashion designer Michael Leyva has created head covers and hazmat suits as well as reusable face masks, while Project Runway Philippines alumnus Santi Obcena has sewn face masks for donation.

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