The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the world we live in, from job cuts to shortages of life-saving medical equipment. In an effort to support Canadians through these difficult and uncertain times, the responsible luxury accessory brand Piper & Skye announced it was employing over 30 sewists to made non-medical grade fabric masks for various vulnerable persons nationwide.
"This pandemic has hit our global economy hard and as unemployment rates rise, I started to notice friends and family struggling with the uncertainty, " states Joanna MacDonald, founder of PIPER & SKYE. "I’m providing opportunities to those Canadians with the skillset to make tangible protective necessities for the communities going largely unseen right now, and augmenting the need for masks across the country."
Private Sector Mask Productions
Piper & Skye Employs Over 30 Sewists to Manufacture Masks
Trend Themes
1. Private-sector Mask Production - There is an opportunity for other luxury brands to shift their production lines and make non-medical grade masks to support communities in need.
2. Employment of Skilled Sewists - This trend presents an opportunity for brands to employ skilled individuals and keep labor forces engaged amid a pandemic-induced economic slowdown.
3. Non-medical Grade Fabric Masks - The focus on the production of non-medical grade fabric masks presents an opportunity for designers and environmentalists to collaborate and develop eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fabrics.
Industry Implications
1. Luxury Fashion - There is an opportunity for luxury fashion brands to repurpose their production lines and address the need for non-medical fabric masks.
2. Sewing and Textile Manufacturing - The employment of skilled sewists presents opportunities for the sewing and textile manufacturing industries to merge their existing operations with the creation of fashionable face masks.
3. Environmental Sustainability - The non-medical grade fabric masks trend presents an opportunity for designers and eco-conscious businesses to collaborate in the creation of stylish and sustainable alternatives to synthetic fabrics.