Emergency Designer Network
Image credit: Holly Fulton.
London-based designers Holly Fulton, Bethany Williams and Phoebe English have united to form the Emergency Designer Network (EDN) to create PPE (personal protective equipment) for the NHS in the UK. Alongside Cozette McCreery, this volunteer-led enterprise is using local production to support hospital stocks of key garments such as scrubs. Working as a collective with an initial group of 10 small-scale UK manufacturers and designers, EDN is looking for people who can support its endeavour.
Image credit: Blake Lewis.
EDN says, “We need skilled sewers with sample machinist or garment industry background, manufacturers with sewing capabilities as well as donations – however small – to help fund the purchase of raw materials (NHS-certified fabrics, webbing, thread, etc). Alternatively, we can accept some but not all plain 65/35 150gsm poly-cotton fabrics with a preference to mid to light greens and mid to light blues. As COVID-19 is a global pandemic, EDN would be open to hearing from anyone internationally, and can also openly offer support and insights to those undertaking similar work overseas.”
The cost of materials required for the EDN to make one pair of reusable hospital-approved scrubs is £6. People can donate at GoFundMe - the campaign has currently raised £20,000 - and find more information at emergencydesignernetwork.org.
Image: Alena Dedova Bramall by Alex Bramall wearing Edeline Lee Mask.
Elsewhere, London Fashion Week Designer, Edeline Lee is working with home sewers on a non-profit mask-making project to donate masks to frontline workers. You can buy a pack of three barrier masks from Edeline Lee and 100% of the proceeds will be used to buy materials to make a further 80 volunteer-made masks to be donated to frontline workers. The masks are designed to be worn over officially-issued respirators to make them last longer. Edeline is aiming to make 50,000 masks to donate during the epidemic. You can donate money for materials at GoFundMe or volunteer as a sewer.
Find out more information at the fundraising page.