Karleo launches ‘Masks for Humanity’ mask production drive

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Apr 9, 2020

Mumbai-based womenswear brand Karleo has launched an initiative titled ‘Masks for Humanity’ in partnership with civic body the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to produce face masks for essential workers.

 
As India faces a shortage of personal protective equipment for both essential workers and citizens under lockdown to halt the spread of Covid-19, Karleo is doing its part to address the shortage. The clothing brand has turned its production efforts to fabric, non-surgical face masks and aims to distribute 5,000 masks in cooperation with BMC, it announced on Facebook. 
 
The brand is working with clusters of women artisans who are currently working from home. Producing the masks ensures the women continue working and addresses the need for PPE. The masks are made from spare textiles the workers have in their homes and will be distributed to BMC essential workers including sweepers and garbage-pickers among others. 

Karleo is taking fabric donations to enable it to produce more face masks and is also looking for volunteers to help sew masks. 
 
“As fashion designers, we make accessories all the time, so making masks is the best way we could help using our resources in these difficult times,” the brand’s design duo Leon Vaz and Karan Berry told the Mumbai Mirror. 
 
Leon Vaz and Karan Berry founded Karleo in Mumbai in 2013. The brand specialises in evening wear, bridal wear, and accessories.