Designer Raul Peñaranda Makes Masks To Give Away In Hospitals

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

In these difficult times in which thousands of people have lost their lives to the coronavirus, we have seen that many have come together to give a helping hand to those who need it most, be it their neighbors, their families and even unknown. In the same way, most of the major beauty brands have united and dedicated themselves to sending products to health workers or raising funds to help those in need. The great fashion houses, like many designers, have not been left behind and have made their equipment available to make masks or other items of need for hospitals. One of the designers who has put his face out is Raúl Peñaranda, who at the moment has his hands full and all for a good cause.

Seeing the need that hospitals were facing for lack of masks, the Colombian designer did not hesitate for a second to use his resources to help and together with his team he went to work to get some encouragement. We spoke with him to tell us a little more about this incredible initiative.

How did you decide to help create masks?

For the simple fact that I am a human being, a Latino with a heart and I wanted to contribute a grain of sand to help in some way to combat this pandemic.

Where did you do them? Have you used your team or have you done it with a group of volunteers?

They were made in the studio with a team that also wanted to join this project. All my haute couture dresses are made by a professional pattern maker, Marina Núñez, who made the patterns for the masks and made them.

How many masks have you created so far and to whom have you donated them?

Some 8,000 face masks have been cut and donated to the following hospitals: Sloan Kettering, Lenox Hill, Mount Sinai and Maimonides Medical Center.

What are the masks like and what types have you made?

The masks are made from a mixture of natural cotton [fabrics] and three different types have been made, one for adults from cotton fabric, one in plastic / vinyl for doctors and the other in anti-inflammatory fabric for children.

What does it mean to you to be able to help combat this pandemic in this way?

Being able to offer your help to anyone who needs it is something that is priceless and means everything to me. It is the simple fact of learning from my parents the great lesson called compassion. More than great personal meaning, I want it to be a test of what we can all do if we are guided by love and not fear.

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Do you have an anecdote that you would like to share from someone you have helped?

Of course, the simple fact of seeing through the SMILES of all the medical personnel who used what we did is something that touches your heart. And not just them, but the cameramen and reporters who cover the news. Something that gave me great satisfaction was giving masks to people who live on the street.

How has this experience changed you as a designer and as a human being?

It has not changed much as a human being because I have always been very grateful for the little things that life gives you every day. As a designer it has been a reaffirmation of the reason why I created my brand 10 years ago, which is environmentally friendly and cruelty-free [animal]. It is a luxury brand created with humility and compassion.