Round-Up: Farfetch Launches New Initiative, Jewlr To Make Face Shields

Farfetch readjusts its platform to support its community of small boutique owners

Online retailer Farfetch regularly curates pieces, not only from giant name brands, but from over 700 boutiques across 50 countries worldwide. Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, these small, often family-run businesses aren’t able to welcome customers into their stores, making online trading a vital lifeline. Farfetch is doing all that it can to prioritize the success of such labels with the initiative #supportboutiques, by first increasing visibility of their stock on the site, as well as through assisting them with logistics, marketing and operations.

“Altogether, our community represents tens if not hundreds of thousands of jobs around the world. It is a hugely important part of our economy and also our culture, something that we all love and want to save,” founder and CEO of Farfetch José Neves said in a release. Additionally, while Farfetch partners are offering 25 per cent off their garments to encourage customer support, the digi-fashion giant is mirroring that by reducing the cost for these brands to use their marketplace by 25 per cent. “Like all communities, [the fashion industry] will be changed by current events, for better and worse. By supporting boutiques and designers, we can help see them through this immensely difficult time,” Neves added. “In the meantime, I wish you all health and love, and I know that the world will get through this.”

Ardene donates thousands of shoes and socks to frontline COVID-19 workers across Canada

Back in March, Ardene launched a donation campaign in support of healthcare workers battling COVID-19 on the frontline. As hospital and clinic teams change their shoes and socks several times a day to avoid any sort of contamination, the need for sanitary and unworn kicks is at an all-time high. To help with this, Ardene has been sending footwear to Canadian hospitals, medical centres and COVID-19 screening clinics since March 27. The Canadian fashion retailer has so far donated over 30,000 shoes to hospitals across Canada.

Although they have already achieved such a high distribution rate, the brand is still aiming for more — and they are asking for Canadians to help decide which locations are in most need. If you know of someone who will greatly benefit from this, email donations@ardene.com with the following information: your full name, your phone number, hospital/medical center, shipping address, the number of supplies requested.

“Stores may be closed right now, but we are still proud members of this community. We will continue to do our best to support Canadians, especially those on the front-lines risking their lives to keep us safe,” says a spokesperson for the Ardene Foundation, Ardene’s collaborative approach to social responsibility. In addition to this initiative, Ardene will donate new clothing to women’s shelters nationwide, and for every purchase on ardene.com, they will donate $1 to WE Well-being in support of youth mental and physical wellness education.

Nobis donates 100 per cent of sales to help fight COVID-19

Canadian (and Serge Ibaka-endorsed) premium outerwear brand Nobis has announced a three-week worldwide initiative that will see it send the entirety of its online sales (before taxes) to help protect frontline healthcare workers fighting the battle against COVID-19. Running from April 10 through to April 30, this initiative allows the customer making the purchase to choose the organization in which their donation funds are sent by simply selecting the hospital or organization name at time of checkout. Nationwide recipients include five local Ontario hospitals – Headwaters Health Care Centre, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Scarborough General Hospital, Toronto General Hospital and William Osler Health System, as well as CanadaHelps COVID-19 Healthcare & Hospital Fund, which supports over 90 hospital foundations across Canada. All international sales will support the Red Cross COVID-19 Global Appeal.

“Nobis, Latin for ‘us,’ has always understood the importance of community, and we are incredibly proud of and indebted to our frontline healthcare providers whose bravery and selflessness are a beacon of hope in uncertain times,” Nobis Co-Founder and Vice President Robin Yates said in a release, adding that the brand is doing everything in its power to acknowledge and support the sacrifices being made by those battling on the frontlines. This three-week global initiative follows Nobis’ donation of $100,000 to hospitals in Ontario, just last week. Get more transparency about where your purchase’s donation is going here.

Louis Vuitton starts producing medical gowns in its ready-to-wear atelier

Rue du Pont Neuf, home to Louis Vuitton’s headquarters, has turned its ready-to-wear atelier into a gown-making boot camp. The medical gowns they are making here will be sent to six Parisian hospitals in the Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) for the frontline medical workers taking care of COVID-19 patients. The AP-HP is the regional hospital centre operating in Paris and its surroundings, and has specific approved fabrics and patterns. The 20 volunteers working on making the gowns will follow those guidelines and have them shipped out to the six hospitals each evening. There will simultaneously be volunteer Louis Vuitton pattern cutters working from home, all in an effort to increase the number of gowns made.

Toronto-based online jewellery brand Jewlr devotes its time and resources to manufacture face shields

E-comm jewellery company Jewlr is using its own special technology to aid in the shortage of medical gear during the coronavirus pandemic. Their CNC laser, which is normally used to personalize customers’ adornments, is temporarily being repurposed to make protective facial shields. This will help alleviate the strain on the demand for medical-grade masks. So far, the company has crafted and donated over 2,500 face shields to Ontario frontline workers. As long as there is a need, Jewlr says it will continue with this initiative.