“I’m a designer,” Naeem Khan told CNBC. “I know how to construct, how to design, so I decided to design my own mask.”
The Indian-American fashion designer has joined forces with other fashion royalty like Christian Sirano and Ralph Lauren to produce coronavirus masks. With the materials and resources available to them, they can produce a large number of masks. Currently, Naeem’s masks go to medical personnel for whom the shortage of medical masks poses a life-threatening danger.
In the midst of the pandemic, many hospitals have noted severe shortages in personal protective equipment. This includes various types of face masks. A few factors have influenced this outcome, including people buying out local supplies in a panic, and the length of the outbreak in China. Additionally, the wildfires in Australia and California over the summer diminished the global supply.
Naeem Khan Dresses Political and Musical Royalty
Before turning his talents to masks, Khan had an impressive resumé. Celebrities including politicians, royalty, and musicians around the world have worn his desgins. The intricate lace floral designs play off of a trove of traditions, and the draping style echoes the designs of theatrical gowns.
“My knowledge of fashion and lifestyle is much influenced by my time with Halston,” Khan recalls his mentor, American designer Roy Halston Frowick, “As a designer you have to be aware of the various arts, travels, cinema, museums, culture and geography in order to be a world recognized brand.”
Other than Halston, some of Khan’s mentors have been Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, and Elizabeth Taylor. All of this experience culminated in the launch of his own label in 2003. Since then he has dressed First Lady Michelle Obama, Queen Noor of Jordan, Beyoncé, Penélope Cruz and more.
Fashion Design Runs in the Family
“It was built into my DNA,” Khan says about his design career, “I watched my father design formal wear for India’s most influential people, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a similar path.”
Khan’s father and grandfather designed clothes for India’s royal family. He moved to The US from India to pursue his apprenticeship with Halston. In a short time, he had launched his own label. Then his collection became available at stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue. In 2008, he joined the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Durable, Reusable Masks from Naeem Khan
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Khan has turned his talents to masks. The CDC has published a guide on how to wear face masks properly, including homemade face coverings.
Khan uses hemp for his masks, a material that may have antibacterial properties when woven into a fiber. These masks cannot and do not replace the N95 masks recommended for medical professionals. However, they are durable enough and include a pocket to insert a surgical mask, offering extra protection and extending the life of those surgical masks. Khan’s designs are washable, and lined with microfiber cloth on the inside.
His team of seamstresses makes up to thirty of these masks a day, with over 5000 made since they began.
“They have been allocated this to work from home and are continuing to be paid to help with this project,” Khan explains. “That’s how I can keep them employed.” Khan teamed up with the Muslim American Leadership Alliance to distribute the masks not only to various Long Island hospitals, but also to families who could not afford or find masks. “We have the technicality and the power to do it, so I would like to help my country,” Khan says, and is prepared to keep helping his city, New York City, in a time of need.
Although many pharmacies and department/grocery stores may not have masks, here is a list of places where you still may be able to get them. CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta has also demonstrated how you can make your own functional face covering with household materials.
Hayat Life honored Khan’s contributions on the Ramadan Top 30 Illuminators list.
