As is the case with many industries, the global spread of coronavirus has had a staggering effect on the fashion world, with whole fashion weeks cancelled or postponed, and lables such as Gucci and Prada calling off their upcoming shows.
As bad as this is, though, it’s surely not as bad as being on the front lines in the fight against the virus, which is where Donatella Versace and her daughter Allegra are directing a newly-announced €200,000 donation.
“In times like this,” the designer writes in a statement posted to Instagram, “it is important to be united and support however we can to help all those who are in the front lines, fighting every day to save hundreds of lives.”
“This is why, Allegra and I have decided to make a personal donation of 200,000 euros to the intensive care department of San Raffaele hospital in Milan.”
Milan has been hit particularly hard by the virus. Italy saw its death toll from the pandemic cross 1000 on Thursday, and the country is in full lockdown.
“Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by this disease and to all the doctors and medical staff who have been working heroically non-stop in the past weeks in the effort to take care of our loved ones,” Donatella adds.
“This is when we, as a society, need to stand together and care for one another.”
Earlier this month (March 8) Giorgio Armani also made a donation to the Milan hospital, alongside other Italian institutions, equalling €1.25 million. In February, the label streamed its AW20 show from behind closed doors amid fears about spreading the virus. Other labels – especially those based in Italy – have followed suit with the donations.
In January, before the extent of coronavirus was really felt iin Europe, LVMH and Kering made donations to The Red Cross Society of China – of approximately €2 million and €1 million, respectively – which Versace also aided, to deal with the shortage of medical supplies.