As we fight the Coronavirus, Jamaican designers are stepping up to the challenge of providing us with cloth masks so we can stay safe and perhaps even fashionable at the same time.
You may be aware that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C) is now recommending that we wear ‘cloth face coverings’ in public settings.
The C.D.C is staying clear of using the word “masks” because of the severe shortage of these items. Please remember that surgical masks or N-95 respirators must be reserved for our healthcare workers who are fighting this war for us.
But have no fear! There are Jamaicans, among them notable fashion designers, who are making masks to protect us from the dreaded Coronavirus.
Meet 4 Jamaican designers who are making masks:
Mark Anthony
Mark Anthony is a Jamaican designer who runs a well-known men’s wear design house. Those of you who follow my husband, know that he has been a walking billboard for Mark Anthony designs. These days, Mark is very busy making masks and has even started to supply health care workers.
Here is how he got started.
Like most of us who are self-isolating, Mark was at home feeling bored. He was having a telephone conversation with a colleague who was making masks and he got the idea to make masks to match his own outfits. He jumped into his ride and headed to his store where came up with a mask to match his shirt.
Fashionable and functional.
Mark posted a few photos and a video of what he came up with, and he has been busy ever since.
Mark uses 100% cotton which is breathable to create a double-layered mask. His mask has a pocket which allows you to insert a filter (which can be dried wipes or paper towel). His design adopts the C.D.C guidelines of ensuring that the mask extends to the chin and below and the sides of the face.
This time, Mark isn’t designing for males only. His masks are for males and females and are available in prints and solid colours. He is currently working on rolling out children’s designs as well.
Giving back
Did I mention before that medical-grade masks are in short supply? Even first world countries such as the USA are struggling to find masks for their health care workers. The situation is so dire that the C.D.C has recommended homemade masks such as a bandana or scarf for health care workers who are taking care of COVID-19 patients.
Jamaica has not escaped this shortage since there is a worldwide demand for masks. Mark is helping by donating some of his supplies to hospitals and health care professionals here in Jamaica. In fact, he aims to be able to donate one mask for every mask sold.
Contact:876-946-1460 or 876-283-7758 | Delivers: Island wide
Tamia Carey
If you are a full-figured woman looking for a great fit, then you must know Tamia. Tamia is a Jamaican designer who has carved out her own fashion-forward niche by catering primarily to curvy women starting at size 8 to 3XL.
Almost 10 years ago, she started off her business with only $60,000.00 and is now one of the most sought-after designers for fabulous plus size fashion. She too has recently shifted focus and has added masks to her available items.
Inspired by noted fashion designer, Michael Costello, who quickly responded to New York’s Governor Cuomo’s call for help by converting his fashion house to a mask factory, Tamia started making masks to give to her customers for free. She was further motivated by Czechoslovakia’s response to the Coronavirus crisis. Czech has made wearing masks mandatory in public, and along with other measures, this seems to be helping to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Giving Back
Tamia now makes masks for sale at a reasonable cost of $500.00 per mask and donates much of her stock as she is passionate about educating everyone on the value of wearing a mask. Tamia is also a mommy and so she too offers masks for children so that everyone can be protected.
Contact: 876-582-1793 | Delivers: Island wide
Haley
Haley is a Jamaican designer known for her banging swimsuits and coverups. She is one of the local go-to designers for beach party outfits (full disclosure: she made all my awesome cover-ups for my last Mexico vacation.)
As a small business which relies heavily on the entertainment industry (read: beach parties = customers), she has been hit hard by COVID-19 which has cancelled everything. Even as she moped about the loss of business, she initially brushed aside the idea of making masks when her sister first suggested it. Then other customers started asking, so she started to do her own research.
Haley’s masks are made from breathable cotton and are made up of three layers of fabric. She has also included a pouch or pocket which allows you to insert an additional filter along with a small metal strip which is moulded to fit the nose and offers better protection. Her masks come in varying sizes and colours and are available for males, females and children.
Giving back
As a single woman, Haley is happy that making masks is now helping to keep her financially afloat. But she firmly believes everyone should be able to afford a mask and so her prices are very affordable. You can get up to 3 masks for $1,200.00. She has also been freely sharing her designs and research with other designers or anyone who sews and is interested in learning.
Contact: Instagram | Delivers: Island wide
Monique Nembhard-Wilson
Monique is unique to this list. She is not a fashion designer by profession, but a business development advisor who has a passion for giving back to her community. In fact, Monique is from a family of givers. She recalls that her aunt with whom she grew up was always giving back despite her own financial struggles. Even today, her sisters who live in Florida, feed the homeless and volunteer at various charity projects within their communities.
After a full day of servicing her clients' needs, Monique uses her evenings and weekends to meet the demand for masks. Her masks are made with two layers of 100% cotton and one layer of non-woven fabric. They are contoured to fit around the nose and mouth are a made with a pocket so you can add a filter which can be a coffee filter or even paper towel. She too makes masks for adults (males and females) as well as children and has a variety of print and solid colours.
Giving back
Since giving back is encoded in her DNA, Monique is using 50% of the proceeds of sale to purchase food items for those who are less fortunate within the parishes of Mandeville and St Elizabeth. To date, she has been able to purchase four boxes, which have been delivered to a middle-aged man who is partially paralyzed as a result of a car accident, two elderly men and a single mother with three children. Monique hopes to be able to deliver at least three boxes per week to vulnerable persons within her neighbouring communities.
If you want to order a mask from Monique, you may have to wait a bit. She is currently focused on finishing up a special order of masks that are exclusively for health care workers and police officers.
Contact: Facebook | Delivers: Island wide
Personal Note:
There are various schools of thought on the wearing of masks. Until fairly recently, we were being told that only persons who are sick or treating the sick need to wear a mask. This warning was mostly focused on trying to prevent a shortage for the first responders who need them most.
It is important to note that wearing a mask doesn’t negate the need for you to observe all the other recommendations such as frequent handwashing and social distancing. There is no doubt, however, that wearing a mask is one way in which we can all protect ourselves.
As we all play our part to fight this virus, I implore everyone to leave the medical-grade surgical masks or N-95 respirators alone. Our health care workers who are saving lives need them. But do get your own cloth masks to help us protect each other.
Can’t afford a mask? No problem.
Check out this C.D.C video which shows you how to make your own face covering with what you have at home in just a few minutes.
Thanks to these amazing Jamaican Designers! Tag someone you know who makes and sells masks.
Very Informative!