The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation have come together to donate critical PPE products needed for healthcare workers on the frontlines of combatting coronavirus. As stated on CFDA's website, the joint donations include 250,000 masks and 25,000 isolation gowns that follow FDA-required standards, which, starting this week, will be given to frontline workers in highly impacted areas including New York, New Jersey and North Carolina.

In addition to their joint efforts with the Ralph Lauren, CFDA has launched A Common Thread, a storytelling initiative across all Condé Nast channels spearheaded by Vogue to raise awareness and funds for brands that have been impacted by the coronavirus. The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund originally began as a response to the 9/11 tragedy and has since evolved to supporting young designers, and now has found a new purpose on providing COVID-19 relief efforts.

Independent designers are facing the toughest battle with coronavirus, as department store and boutique orders have been cancelled. Small businesses are able to apply for economic relief and loans as part of the 2 trillion dollar stimulus package passed by Congress to help those who have lost profits due to coronavirus. Hopefully the industry will continue to come together to insure that small, independent brands survive.