In the last few days, fashion and cosmetics groups in Europe and around the world have shown their willingness to get involved in helping fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the leading luxury groups have decided to focus their efforts on producing hydro-alcoholic gel and masks for the protection of those engaged in the front-line fight, and of the population at large.LVMH has marshalled three factories normally producing perfumes for Dior, Givenchy and Guerlain into manufacturing no less than 12 tons of gel per week, and L’Oréal too has taken action to show its solidarity for all those waging the Covid-19 fight.
Among the initiatives pledged by L’Oréal, an increase in hydro-alcoholic gel output by the group’s various brands. La Roche-Posay will be in charge with supplying its hospital, care home and leading pharmacy partners in Europe, while Garnier will distribute free of charge several million units of gel to all its European grocery distribution clients.“In this exceptional emergency, it is our responsibility to contribute in every way possible to the communal effort. With these initiatives, L’Oréal wishes to express its gratitude, support and solidarity towards all those who are mobilising with such extraordinary bravery and selflessness to fight the pandemic,” said Jean-Paul Agon, CEO of the L’Oréal group, in a press release.
Everyone is getting involved
L’Oréal’s Europe-wide plan doesn’t apply only to those active in the health care and food distribution sectors, the front line against the pandemic, but it also extends to the most vulnerable people. The L’Oréal Foundation has in fact announced it is donating €1 million, plus hygiene kits and hydro-alcoholic gel supplies to its partner associations engaged in the struggle against poverty. These essentials products will be destined to social workers, volunteers and the people they are helping.More generally, several fashion and beauty industry players are taking part in the fierce fight against the spread of Covid-19. Countless garment factories worldwide have undertaken to produce face masks, and many labels are doing so using fabric offcuts.French ethical, eco-sustainable label 1083 has for example reorganised its factory to produce protective masks for local health care professionals, doctors and pharmacists. The solidarity effort is widespread in Italy too. For example, a tie producer based in the southern region of Calabria has started using its fabric offcuts to make protective masks, the proceeds from their sales going to the Calabria regional authority to fund medical equipment purchases.
