LGBTQ+ Fashion Designers Supporting COVID-19 Relief
9 LGBTQ+ Fashion Designers Supporting COVID-19 Relief
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So many brands have stepped forward to donate to COVID-19 relief in the past few months. Whether that's been donating a portion of their sales to various charities, like local food banks and hospitals, or making masks to send to the frontlines, the fashion world has stepped up in a big way.
For Pride Month, we want to spotlight a few LGBTQ+ designers who are really making a difference in COVID-19 relief. From Christian Siriano, who has been donating masks for months already, to Michael Kors, who donated money to New York hospitals and charities, these designers are doing what they can to help. Scroll through to check them out and get in on their charitable efforts.
Brandon Maxwell
Brandon Maxwell and his team started making PPE for doctors and nurses on the frontlines back in March. The designer also pledge to continue to learn how he and his team could best serve the fashion community and those in need throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
Michael Costello
Designer Michael Costello has been making mask after mask after mask to donate to first responders, hospitals, and healthcare workers. He has made and donated hundreds to those on the frontlines.
There are several masks available for purchase on the brand's website, including the Reversible Paloma Mask ($40), which features two designs, and a Kid's Mask ($10).
Christian Siriano
Christian Siriano was one of the first designers to donate time and resources to making masks. Siriano tweeted to New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, that he was willing to rally his team to help, and he did in full force. He's made and donated innumerable masks to those on the frontlines, and you can donate to the effort directly through the brand's website.
Prabal Gurung
Prabal Gurung designed pieces — like this All Americans Movement Hat by Prabal Gurung ($35) — in collaboration with All Americans, and proceeds support marginalized communities most affected by COVID-19. All Americans movement is also dedicated to fighting racism and xenophobia.
Phillip Lim
Similarly, Phillip Lim also partnered with All Americans for a custom hat and t-shirt design: the All American Movement T-Shirt by 3.1 Phillip Lim ($35). Net proceeds from sales go toward "medical supplies, curbing racism and violence, and economic stimulus for small and medium-sized businesses" in marginalized communities, according to the All Americans site.
Jonny Cota
Jonny Cota, the winner of Making the Cut, pivoted his efforts to make masks to donate to the Los Angeles LGBT Centre. His brand Skingraft has partnered with Tom of Finland on a collaborative mask-making effort. For every face mask ($25) they sell, they're donating one to the LA LGBT Centre for staff and homeless youth.
Coco and Breezy
Twin sisters and founders of eyewear brand Coco and Breezy, Corianna and Brianna Dotson, worked with Billionaire Girls Club on its Creative Quarantine Conversations. Entry fees for the virtual events were donated to a rent subsidization initiative to help New York residents affected by COVID-19.
Michael Ngo
Michael Ngo and two of his assistants have been working at their homes to make masks. He's selling the masks and donating a portion of the proceeds to the LA Food Bank. As of April 26, he'd raised over $23,000, and he wrote on Instagram that the money would "provide 93,200 meals to students, hardworking families, struggling seniors and anyone in our community that has been deeply affected by COVID-19."
There are a variety of masks available for purchase on Ngo's website, ranging from basic colours like Jade ($45) to Swarovski-Crystal Encrusted ($500).
Michael Kors
Michael Kors and his eponymous brand made a massive $2 million donation to COVID-19 relief efforts in New York City. On Instagram, he wrote that the donations would go toward "NYU Langone Health and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Additionally, it will provide assistance to our longtime partner @GodsLoveNYC, a local non-profit delivering nutritious meals to people living with severe illnesses, who are especially vulnerable during this time, and A Common Thread, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund for COVID-19 Relief that provides financial relief to small businesses in the fashion community."
