Manufacturing Respirator Masks

Monterey Mills and Eder Flag, team up to start manufacturing of much-needed respirator masks

Monterey Mills based in Janesville, WI is the largest textile mill of its kind in North America, and supplier of knitted pile fabric used in a variety of medical and air-filtration products. Eder Flag, based in Oak Creek, WI is the nation’s largest manufacturer of flags and flagpoles and is converting part of its flag-sewing operations to produce the barrier masks.

Protective Masks for Covid-19 Pandemic

Protective masks for Covid-19 are being worked on by the apparel industry.

Hospitals across the country face dwindling supplies of medical equipment.  Hospitals have been rationing supplies and some have been asking staff to reuse masks until they become soiled.

Although factories already exist that produce protective apparel, they are clearly overwhelmed by the speed of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Several apparel industry companies are stepping up to help.

Also, craft stores are teaching us how to make protective masks at home.

Hanes Face Masks

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitals & first responders are facing shortages of personal protective equipment.

Hanes is retrofitting plants to make medical masks.

It has been reported that Hanes is sharing its design with Fruit of the Loom, SanMar, Beverly Knits and the National Council of Textile Organizations, as part of an effort led by yarn manufacturer Parkdale Mills America.

The Hanes design has apparently been approved by the Federal Drug Administration for use.

Live Fashion Commerce and Conversation

Could this be the beginning of interactive commerce’s breakout moment?

Every week, Betabrand invites its fanbase to an interactive chat experience celebrating the company’s latest product launch. Recently, a new discussion thread has emerged: How are you feeling? 

Whitney Cummings wears UNOde50

Whitney Cummings records a podcast while wearing UNOde50 earrings! 

The Good People actress spiced up her work from home outfit with UNOde50's Switch On Earrings ($100, www.unode50.com).

NINObrand Fashion

Ninobrand

Late last year they got to collaborate with an amazing young artist who ended up treating and hand painting a few styles for us. Her name is Cassie O'Toole and this year we're working on something bigger and brighter together. Please keep an eye on a very limited capsule collection launching soon. 

Ninobrand.com

Understanding N95 & Surgical Masks

The FDA regulates surgical masks and surgical N95 respirators differently based on their intended use.

The Apparel Search Company is NOT an expert in regard to protective masks.  However, we did compile a bit of information that may be of help if you wish to further research face masks because of the COVID-19 illness.  As you have heard on the news, COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

Below is partial information that we have found online.  Please review below but also do further research on additional websites for a more comprehensive understanding.  If you have specific question, you can possibly contact the FDA or CDC.

It is important to recognize that the optimal way to prevent airborne transmission is to use a combination of interventions from across the hierarchy of controls, not just PPE alone.

What is an N95 mask? 

An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. Note that the edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. Surgical N95 Respirators are commonly used in healthcare settings and are a subset of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs), often referred to as N95s. People with chronic respiratory, cardiac, or other medical conditions that make breathing difficult should check with their health care provider before using an N95 respirator because the N95 respirator can make it more difficult for the wearer to breathe. Some models have exhalation valves that can make breathing out easier and help reduce heat build-up. Note that N95 respirators with exhalation valves should not be used when sterile conditions are needed.  N95 respirators are not designed for children or people with facial hair. Because a proper fit cannot be achieved on children and people with facial hair, the N95 respirator may not provide full protection.

• All FDA-cleared N95 respirators are labeled as "single-use," disposable devices.

What is a surgical mask?

A surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment. These are often referred to as face masks, although not all face masks are regulated as surgical masks. Note that the edges of the mask are not designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth.

While a surgical mask may be effective in blocking splashes and large-particle droplets, a face mask, by design, does not filter or block very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical procedures. Surgical masks also do not provide complete protection from germs and other contaminants because of the loose fit between the surface of the face mask and your face.

Ruthie Davis announces the launch of the Mulan Warrior collection in celebration of Disney's "MULAN." Inspired by acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro's epic depiction of the fierce and inimitable warrior whose courage shaped the legend, the Mulan Warrior collection embodies the fearless, inner strength of the film's protagonist. "MULAN" opens in U.S. theaters on March 27, 2020.