In our latest update on how brands are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re sharing details from Gucci, Chloé, Kering, and more.
Inspired by her afternoon walks in isolation, jewelry designer Brent Neale Winston has created a series of small still-life paintings. 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Central Park Conservancy. Though the paintings weren’t originally intended to be sold, the 45 of works on paper (available on Instagram through @brentnealejewelry) will go toward the dedication of a park bench to all essential workers through the conservancy’s Adopt a Bench program.
Chloé’s Fall/Winter 2019 collection.
Kering—the luxury group encompassing brands like Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Boucheron, and Alexander McQueen—has made a series of efforts in response to the pandemic, aiding medical facilities in China, France, and Italy. The group donated $1M to China’s Hubei Red Cross foundation. In France, Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent began producing surgical masks (as Kering purchased and imported its supplies from China) and made a donation to COVID-19 research at the Institut Pasteur. And in Italy, Gucci has been manufacturing masks and medical overalls for healthcare personnel, while the house has made a contribution to funding to four major foundation hospitals in Lombardy, Veneto, Tuscany, and Lazio.
In addition to manufacturing masks alongside parent company Kering, Gucci has announced over $2M in donations to the Italian Civil Protection Department (Protezione Civile) and the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. The Italian fashion house is also calling on its community to make donations through the Intesa Sanpaolo platform at Gucci.forfunding.it or on the brand’s Instagram, where the total amount raised will be matched by Facebook.
Courtesy of Kering.
The 40-year-old furniture and design accessories brand Ratana is also manufacturing masks—for elderly citizens and senior homes in its local community. So far, the brand has donated 1,000 adjustable masks, which are made from a specially sourced antibacterial material, and has plans to make more.
Chloé’s new initiative “Chloe Voices” offers a series of live interactions and performances daily on Instagram. Meant to keep its followers uplifted and connected, this week’s programming included: a talk between the brand’s creative director Natacha Ramsay-Levi and writer Pauline Klein; a DIY guide to drawing by Langley Fox Hemingway; and the upcoming Chloé Club (Friday, April 17, at 6 p.m. CET), which includes live DJ sets from Parcels Flora Fischbach and Pandora’s Jukebox.
Kindred has partnered with Americares and the #ClapBecauseWeCare campaign, aiming to raise $10M for essential workers during the Coronavirus pandemic. For the cause, Kindred is selling special t-shirts—made from sustainable cotton, featuring a heart in rainbow colors with the words “Thank You.” 100 percent of the profits will go toward protective equipment, training, and emotional support for frontline workers.
