Indian luxury fashion designer Anita Dongre’s namesake brand House of Anita Dongre has started the production of protective cloth masks for distribution in an effort to further contribute in combating the grave COVID-19 pandemic in India.
The reusable masks will be created out of fabrics that are used for the production of clothes for the brand’s various fashion labels such as AND, Global Desi and Anita Dongre.
After receiving the necessary permissions from the Government, House of Anita Dongre has commenced with the production of these masks in two of the five rural village centres based in Maharashtra.
“Every one of us must do everything within our power to stop the spread of this virus and keep safe as many people as we can. The production of reusable masks is one step in that direction,” Anita Dongre, Chief Creative Officer of ‘House of Anita Dongre’, said in a statement.
Around 24 women employees from among two of Anita Dongre’s community tailoring units in Charoti and Dhanevari, have volunteered to offer their services to manufacture approximately 7,000 masks each week starting Monday, 13 April.
These reusable masks will be distributed for free across various NGOs, village residents, individuals and hospitals. With no maximum number being declared, the designer clarified that the masks will be produced and distributed as long as people need them.
Apart from these masks, these skilled women workers will also be producing special quality medical grade disposable masks for doctors, nurses and medical staff at the request of local hospitals in the area.
To ensure the health and safety of the women working at these centres, strict social distancing and hygiene protocols as outlined by the Indian Government, are being followed.
Ever since the lockdown has been enforced in India, the iconic designer has been finding ways to meaningfully contribute to safety efforts. She also set up a Rs. 1.5 crore medical fund to support the small vendors and self-employed artisans working with her amidst the Coronavirus outbreak.