On March 27, the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation announced that the company will donate $10 million to aid coronavirus relief—split among the Emergency Assistance Foundation, the World Health Organization's COVID- 19 Solidarity Response Fund, and other organizations.
Furthermore, the brand says it will provide financial assistance to its employees "facing special circumstances, like medical, eldercare, or childcare needs." The company previously announced that select Ralph Lauren stores are closing temporarily but assured workers that they will still be paid. Ralph Lauren also plans to utilize its "U.S. manufacturing partners" to produce medical-grade protective materials, including 25,000 isolation gowns and 250,000 masks.
"Now more than ever, in this time of need, supporting each other has become our mission. Together we move forward with patience and optimism in the face of uncertainty," Ralph Lauren's full statement on this issue reads. "Our hearts and thoughts are with the global community. Our hope is to be a beacon of optimism and unity as we navigate this unprecedented time. It is in the spirit of togetherness that we will rise."
Included in the $10 million relief effort will be an inaugural gift to the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Vogue Fashion Fund to help support the American fashion community.
Ralph Lauren, of course, is not the only fashion brand committed to helping those in need during the coronavirus outbreak. Brandon Maxwell, Prada, and a continually growing list of fashion houses have promised to use their resources to make masks and gowns for hospitals facing shortages. Christian Siriano has already produced 1,000 masks with his team.
Meanwhile, luxury brand companies, including LVMH, are also writing checks and retooling their perfume and cosmetics factories to create more hand sanitizer. We truly love to see it, and hope other major companies (fashion and otherwise) follow suit.
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