Virgil Abloh Merges Fashion With Function In Support Of Health Care Workers
Virgil Abloh and Off-White announced a new philanthropic collaboration and initiative with the leading academic medical center Cleveland Clinic, and the Los Angeles-based green production shop Suay with the creation of a new hand wash and hang dry mask. All proceeds from the sale of this mask will be directed to support COVID-19-related research at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Global and Emerging Pathogens.
Abloh and Suay have co-designed and developed this new mask which has been exactingly constructed for high filtration and breathability. It has also been tested with their medical partner, the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. This non-woven (two-ply polypropylene) surgical wrap material is fully encased in a bias-cut Japanese power mesh. The masks feature neon contrast-hued binding with adjustable ear loops, a meticulously crafted contoured face covering, and they are shipped in compostable packaging.
In the grand scheme of things, projects like these are when fashion is the most important.
– Virgil Abloh
The production process for these masks was also rendered with a sustainability-minded focus. Pioneering the clean up economy, everything at Suay is made from a combination of post-consumer waste and dead stock integrated with domestically and organically grown fibers.
Masking is critical to limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Thanks to Virgil Abloh and Suay for their creativity and support. We are grateful for
their commitment to helping us meet a critical need as we navigate this global health crisis. Thanks, also, to the many people who will purchase and proudly wear this unique face covering. The proceeds from the masks purchases will immediately fund the life-saving COVID-19 research underway at Cleveland Clinic.Lara Kalafatis, Chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Philanthropy Institute.
Cleveland Clinic worked with an outside lab to test the masks’ material and degree of breathability. Testing showed that the breathability and particle filtration were high performing. Even after 20 washes, the masks continued to perform with a high level with an efficiency.
The masks will be released for purchase from December 9th, 2020 on Canary Yellow. In addition, Off-WhiteTM has made a monetary donation to the center whilst simultaneously creating a limited edition t-shirt that reads “I Support Our HealthCare Heroes” that has been donated to the Cleveland Clinic’s staff.
The tee is a keepsake and symbolic item, celebrating the collaboration.
Photos | Gabe Loughney & Atiba Jefferson