Pyer Moss to Host Medical Supplies Drive and Support Minority-Owned Business During Covid-19 Crisis

It’s no secret that Covid-19 is wreaking havoc on the fashion industry (as well as just about every other industry) right now. From cancelled events to closing retailers, there’s been no shortage of headlines on what the future of fashion will look like once we’re on the other side of this pandemic. However, there’s good news coming out of the industry that’s worth shining a light on, too. LVMH and L’Oréal have both turned their beauty production facilities into hand sanitizer hubs, and just yesterday Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss announced two incredible initiatives to help both medical professionals and minority-owned small businesses during this time.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Jean-Raymond wrote that he’s been inundated with messages from medical professionals on the front lines of the pandemic in relation to their lack of supplies. This hits particularly close to home for the designer as his sister is one such professional. He wrote, “Many of them, including my sister, have not had enough n95 masks and some are without gloves. My sister was exposed to Covid-19 and her elder patients’ safety have been compromised due to some professionals having to wear makeshift masks.” He then went on to share a story of doctors in Philadelphia who have reportedly been cleaning their masks with bleach.

Masks and gloves are in high demand currently, after panicked citizens stocked up on the items at the start of the crisis to the point medical staff and establishments are facing a lack of supplies. To help combat this, Jean-Raymond’s HQ for his fashion brand Pyer Moss is transforming into a donation centre for these items. “We will use recommended hygiene and social practices to receive and re-distribute these items directly to medical professionals on as needed bases,” he wrote. Additionally, the brand has set aside USD$5,000 to buy these supplies where possible and is asking the public to help with leads.

Secondly, the designer announced that the brand has reserved USD$50,000 “for minority and women owned small creative businesses who are currently in distress.” He called to those who “cannot make payroll or cannot cover pressing costs to keep your business afloat” to reach out for aid. The funds are not limited to American businesses, either.

For both initiatives, the email is wanttohelp@yourfriendsin.nyc.

It’s an incredible show of support which we hope to see more designers echo in the coming days and weeks.

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