In the Czech Republic and Malaysia two fashion designers are sewing their way to saving lives
'Making these kind of gowns is meaningful and fulfilling'
Celest Thoi joined forces with other local fashion designers to use their skill to help the medics of Malaysia.
'As local designers of Moda (Malaysian Official Designers’ Association), we have come together and are all working on crafting PPE (personal protection equipment) gowns and masks for our frontliners. United as one, we sew from the comfort of our own homes while these frontliners are risking their lives helping affected patients. We have to help, we cannot let them fall – for if they fall, we fall. Making these gowns of a different kind, gowns that save lives, is meaningful and fulfilling!'
'I'm sewing masks for those in need'
Petra Balvínová is a Czech fashion designer who began sewing face masks with her team immediately after her government directive on their use came into effect. Face masks are to be worn in public at all times, yet they are extremely scarce.
'I began sewing masks on Sunday, 15 March. I called my seamstresses, and asked them if they would help me. Then I posted on Facebook that we would gladly make a mask for anyone who wanted one, for free. In half an hour all my accounts on social media were flooded with thousands of requests. I kept telling myself: 'That’s enough!' But I couldn’t really stop. I finally collapsed from exhaustion.
I didn’t want a queue in front of my boutique, so I suggested appropriate intervals and explained to everyone through a glass door how to insert a filter and how to put the mask on. We need to slow down the increase in infected people and obey the quarantine rules. I don’t think I did something special, everybody is helping. Everybody is sewing!'
-
I just sat down with a celebrity tan expert and he told me that these are the only tanning tools you need for a streak-free glowYour ultimate at-home tan kit
-
Anne Hathaway had to kiss 10 men during a 'gross' chemistry audition early in her careerUgh
-
There was a hidden code in Baby Reindeer that everyone completely missedDid you spot it?
-
'I was only 24 and had no symptoms' - read one woman's shocking cervical cancer diagnosisThis Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, read Stephanie Varden's powerful story - from chemo to seemingly having the all-clear
-
23,000 young people face homelessness this Christmas – here's how you can help with CentrepointThis Christmas, Marie Claire has joined forces with Centrepoint to bring to light the homelessness crisis among young women.
-
What it's really like to be a 24-year-old model…And HIV positiveTo mark World AIDS Day, we spoke to 24-year-old model, art student and beauty queen Horcelie Sinda, who was diagnosed as HIV Positive as a child. This is her story...
-
COVID-19 Global Diaries: 'How my all-female, HIV-positive health workers are fighting two epidemicsIt's World Aids Day 2020 and In Mozambique there are 2.2m people living with HIV, which is why Ilda Kuleba, country director of mothers2mothers, is on mission to protect those most at risk from coronavirus
-
Hunger is epidemic in the UK - here's how you can helpLockdown may be easing, but for millions of Britons, hunger continues to spread fast. From donating goods and money to volunteering, here's what you can do to help tackle the crisis
-
I May Destroy You: sexual assault survivors have a few things to sayI May Destroy You, Michaela Coel's extraordinary drama of the year, has triggered many to speak out about their traumatic experiences. Lizzy Dening asks survivors what they want you to know – and how to help
-
World Refugee Day: girls tell us their vision for the future150 girls caught up in humanitarian crises around the world reveal what change they want to see
-
Covid-19 Global Diaries: 'I'm a refugee in London and people like me are dying'Fleeing persecution in Nigeria, Yetunde James arrived in the UK with dreams of a new and safe life. But coronavirus has taken her friends, put her life in danger and her plans to build a bright future on hold
