Virgil Abloh and Off-White™ proudly announce a new philanthropic collaboration and initiative with the leading academic medical center Cleveland Clinic, and the Los Angeles-based green production shop Suay with the creation of a new hand wash, hang dry mask. All proceeds from the sale of this mask will be directed to support COVID-19-related research at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Global and Emerging Pathogens.
Abloh and Suay have co-designed and developed a new hand wash, hang dry mask, which has been exactingly constructed for high filtration and breathability. It has also been tested with their medical partner, the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. This non-woven (two-ply polypropylene) surgi-cal wrap material is fully encased in a bias-cut Japanese power mesh. The masks feature neon contrast-hued binding with adjustable ear loops, a meticulously crafted contoured face covering, and they are shipped in compostable packaging.
(Courtesy: Gabe Loughney)
The production process for these masks was also rendered with a sustainability-minded focus. Pioneering the clean up economy, everything at Suay is made from a combination of post-consumer waste and deadstock integrated with domestically and organically grown fibers.
(Courtesy: Gabe Loughney)
Cleveland Clinic worked with an outside lab to test the masks’ material and degree of breathabil-ity. Testing showed that the breathability and particle filtration were high performing. Even after 20 washes, the masks continued to perform with a high level with an efficiency.
“In the grand scheme of things, projects like these are when fashion is the most important,” says Virgil Abloh.
“Masking is critical to limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Lara Kalafatis, chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Philanthropy Institute. “Thanks to Virgil Abloh and Suay for their creativity and support. We are grateful for their commitment to helping us meet a critical need as we navigate this global health crisis. Thanks, also, to the many people who will purchase and proudly wear this unique face covering. The proceeds from the masks purchases will immediately fund the life-saving COVID-19 research underway at Cleveland Clinic.”
(Courtesy: Gabe Loughney)
The masks will be released for purchase from December 9th, 2020 on Canary Yellow. In addition, Off-White™ has made a monetary donation to the center whilst simultaneously creating a limited edition t-shirt that reads “I Support Our HealthCare Heroes” that has been donated to the Cleveland Clinic’s staff. The tee is a keepsake and symbolic item, celebrating the collaboration.