KUALA LUMPUR: The local fashion industry is coming together to do its part to help the country battle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Designer Melinda Looi, who is president of the Malaysian Official Designer Association (MODA), said that she had been inundated with calls and messages from those in the local fashion fraternity, all wanting to do their part for MODA’s initiative to sew and supply Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for Covid-19 frontliners.
Looi said this was the time everyone was coming together doing whatever they could for the country and the real heroes in this crisis.
“I have received so many calls and messages from designersl wanting to help.
“Some are willing to donate money while others are open to crafting, cutting and sewing these essential protective gowns.”
The response was heartwarming, she added, given that during the Movement Control Order (MCO), designers could not run their businesses as normal and their income had been affected.
However, they remain a caring lot and want to contribute in any way they can.
“Right now, face masks are like gold and PPE gowns, as valuable as diamonds,” said Looi.
The challenge now is in sourcing for the materials to make these gowns as it is both in short supply with prices that keep rising.
She added that one roll of the material cost about RM5,000 now and one roll could be used to make 600 gowns.
“If anyone is willing to donate or sell the material to us, please get in touch with me.”
MODA has around 40 members and 200 home seamstresses on hand to do the job.
Among the designers who have embraced this cause are well-known names in the local fashion scene such as Khoon Hooi, Celest Thoi and Alia Bastamam.
Thoi, best known for her gorgeous bridal gowns, is overseeing a team of 10 to 12 seamstresses, some her own and others, volunteers, who have agreed to give their time to this cause.
“I’m touched by how people are coming together for this effort.
“We as designers are used to making gowns, but these gowns save lives and it’s heartwarming to be involved with something like this,” said Thoi.
“People can buy and donate masks but not many can sew, which is why fashion designers play a crucial role in this effort.
“We can contribute in this area, because we have the skills.”
Fellow designer Alia Bastamam considers it a patriotic duty to support this initiative.
“I grew up near a hospital because my mother was a lecturer to medical students so this is an issue close to my heart,” she said.
Alia has ordered two rolls of the necessary fabric and hopes to make 1,200 protective outfits.
“I’m thankful that I’m surrounded by family and friends who are quick to donate the supplies needed to make this happen.”
One of the most established names in fashion, designer Khoon Hooi believes this is the time to give back to society and relishes the opportunity to do so.
“Rather than just sitting home, it feels good to assist those putting themselves in danger to help others during this time,” he said, adding that he had been informed that hospital staff could use up to 400 gowns in just one day, so whatever they could supply would be much needed.
“There are four of us in my team including me, doing the sewing. We are glad to contribute in any way we can.”
On March 30, fashion designer Datuk Radzuan Radziwill launched a charity initiative to stitch PPE for frontliners.
He was driven to do so after becoming aware that some hospital staff were stitching their own PPE garments.
He is preparing 50 PPE outer gowns daily with the help of a doctor from Serdang Hospital.