Photo by Pangea Kali Virga featuring
Lyfe Brand Tee shirt Masks
We at Miami On Sight are so proud of the local Miami design community and their ability to come together during this time of crisis. Miami designers are using their skills to make face masks for donation and purchase as well as teach others virtually how to make their own. Combined this list of designers has sewn 4,000+ masks and counting. Dedicated to the community, health, and sustainability each designer we featured here incorporates sustainable practices into their masks through various ways. Read more to learn about how deadstock fabric, upcycled material, and zero waste practices can be incorporated in mask making. It is such an honor to be able to serve our communities in this way and we hope you enjoy this list of fabulous designers and charitable initiatives!
We are excited to announce that Miami On Sight will be partnering with some of the designers below for face mask giveaways every Friday starting May 1st. Learn more by following us on instagram @miamionsight.
Keep reading to learn more about mask recommended guidelines and the masks being made by local designers for purchase and donation.
Let the distance keep us together.
recommended mask guidelines
notes from the center for disease control
Flatten the curve! The most useful thing that you can do is to take care of yourself and be mindful of your own actions to prevent transmission of the novel coronavirus. Wearing a face mask is now recommended by the CDC for all people in the United States.
Masks according to the CDC should...
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fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
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be secured with ties or ear loops
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include multiple layers of fabric
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allow for breathing without restriction
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be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
Learn more about material effectiveness here
Even with a face mask you should still follow safety precautions...
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Wash your hands regularly. Use soap and water, and wash them for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is acceptable to use if you are unable to wash your hands.
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Cover your face when coughing with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
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Avoid touching your face, because you could transmit the virus from your hands into your mouth.
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Stay at home, except for essential trips outside like trips to the grocery store or to see your doctor. This is also called sheltering in place.
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Practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from other people. The White House also recommends avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people, which should be easy because you're staying at home.
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Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces daily
mask-making miami designers
sustainable, chic, community-driven.
world red eye cares
local designers teaming up to donate masks to front-line workers
In response to COVID-19, World Red Eye launched #WRECares on March 23, 2020. World Red Eye has transitioned its website WorldRedEye.com into an informative hub for the Miami community to share updates and resources on how we can rise above COVID-19 and help restore the prestige of this great city.
In support of the seamstresses in our community who have been furloughed as a direct effect of the pandemic. #WRECares has assembled a network of 20+ seamstresses and designers who have pivoted their businesses to become mask makers (including Miami On Sight designers Krelwear, Pangea Kali Virga, and R. Fitting Room). As a result, they can now support their families while making and donating face masks to those in need. All of the masks donated are made in Miami, for Miami.
The team at #WRECares is distributing the masks to people who need them most (local hospitals, police and fire departments, foster care facilities, eldery homes, etc).
For every $3 you give we will donate 1 mask to our Health Heroes! Our goal is to donate 100,000 masks!
One hundred percent of your contribution helps support #WRECares network of seamstresses and their materials used to make masks and help save lives. You can donate to World Red Eye Cares initiative via this link. #WRECares #LLFoundation #DoGoodFeelGood #1Mask1World
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Based in Miami, Sea Jasper is a clothing brand centered around creating eco-friendly clothing while following a mission to help bring awareness towards living sustainably through a more conscious use of materials and clothes. Remaining aware of our environmental impact is our number one priority while creating our designs. Working on face masks helps the community because supplies are low and being able to create cloth face masks for the general population helps keep PPE available for front line health care workers. These masks are sustainable as they are washable, reusable, and handmade in a small place.
Sea Jasper masks are made of broadcloth cotton blend because it is tightly weaved and more effective in filtering air droplets and other particles. The mask features three protective layers—two of broadcloth cotton blend and one of a non-woven material. The filter pocket can fit a surgical mask for extra protection. Disposable handmade filters include material from vacuum bags, HEPA filters, coffee filters, or paper towels. It is recommended to change the homemade filter often, discarding it after use. A nose bridge is also included on each mask for better fit and to avoid unnecessary gaps on the face. A chenille stem or pipe cleaner can also be used as an additional nose bridge. The fabric used to tie the mask to the back of the head is 100% cotton. Masks should be washed at high temperature and tumble-dried. If necessary, they can also be sterilized by putting them in boiling water for 10 minutes.
Nurses have told us about the difficulties with finding scrub caps, so we made a design using an outside layer of patchwork and an inside layer of upcycled irregular 100% cotton t-shirts. Buttons on each side to attach a surgical mask are included to eliminate the potential for the elastics to cause discomfort behind the ear. Scrub caps should be washed at high temperature and can also be sterilized by putting them in boiling water for 10 minutes.
For every mask purchased, one mask will be donated. Available in BLUE and BLACK. Masks are $30 for two; other purchasing options are available on Seajasper.com or via DM on our instagram @seajasper.
Thanks to your donations, Sea Jasper has been able to donate over 500 masks to front-line workers, among them being firefighters in Miami Beach, nurses at the Miami Children’s Hospital, and midwives in Portland.
Pangea is the Executive Producer and Creative Director for the Miami On Sight fashion show. Her work is all one of a kind, zero waste, and upcycled with an attention to couture detailing.
Pangea is making multi-layer upcycled cotton masks for purchase and donation. For each mask purchased Pangea makes two masks to donate. Masks are washable, come in four sizes (also kids sizes), includes a washable sewn in filter or filter pocket (your choice), and includes a nose bridge wire to prevent gapping. Masks range in price from $15 (plain, tie dye, or stripe) to $30 (custom details like beading, rhinestones, lace).
Pangea loves custom orders and can accommodate most requests. All masks are made to order and can be purchased on Instagram via DM at @pangeakalivirga or via text at 516 695 7473. Masks can be shipped with tracking anywhere in the USA for $5 or via contact-free pick up in Miami at Fountainhead Studios (7338 NW Miami Ct).
Pangea Kali Virga is also proud to announce her partenership with World Red Eye Cares, donating masks to hospital and civil workers in Miami. To date Pangea has donated 400+ masks. Learn more about Pangea's partnership with #WRECares here.
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As part of R Fitting Room's commitment to the evolution of the fashion industry, our mission is not only to raise awareness on the global textile waste and its detrimental impact, but also to create strategic partnerships with designers and design schools by bringing sustainable fashion and upcycling through their work, and promoting their creativity and innovation from one of a kind designs.
R-Fitting Room, led by Denise Serrano Jost , took action and partnered with World Red Eye Cares and the Miami Marlins to help provide much needed masks to the front line heroes during this crisis. “What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make” is our belief.The Miami Marlins donated nearly 1,000 pieces of clothing, including 100% cotton T-shirts to help R-Fitting Room transition their business into a mask making one for the South Florida community including medical facilities, the City of Miami Police Department, and the University of Miami Health System.
The days and weeks ahead are extremely uncertain for everyone, but at R-Fitting Room we are here to support each other through this tough time. We are a sustainable fashion company practicing Circular Fashion, where there should be no end life to anything. “What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make” is our belief“ .Learn more about R.Fitting Room and #WRECares at this link here.
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During this uncertain time, it is more important than ever to limit waste and to use our resources with great responsibility. I have always found joy in giving discarded and deadstock material a second life on the runway, and now being able to do so in a way that is protecting others is even more rewarding. This is a part of our collective timeline that was unexpected, but one that will hopefully open more eyes to the necessity of being responsible in our means of production.
Each Modalessio mask is made from up-cycled cotton/woven material, has adjustable 12" ties, and has openings in the sides to add an extra filter if you choose. 100% machine washable! Masks are $12 each, shipping included. If you are interested, please direct message on Instagram at @themodalessio or email me at info.anadalessio@gmail.com.
I started making these face covers in 2005 as a tubular translation of a scarf, face cover, and head band something used for winter more than anything. I just recently programmed this style again for my machine and then Coronavirus happened. It seemed very appropriate to bring it back. Since there was a shortage of N95 masks, I thought that covering our faces would be essential, even if it wasn't as protective, it would at least shield others and ourselves more than having nothing. And saving the N95 for the front line workers.
I believe that having masks that are reusable and washable are very important. That way we don't use disposable masks that would end up in the land fills. One of the main things about this virus is sanitation and cleaning our hands. Just as important we need to wear clean masks, Washing every mask after each exposure to people is very important.
Krelwear offers three options, traditional face tube ($20) , face tube with elastic yarn knit at the top ($25), or the mini tube with elastic at the top and bottom($30), covers from your nose to your chin. All of these styles double as a head band or a neck warmer. SHIPPING ONLY as It’s quarantine. $10 of each mask will be donated to a charity supporting the brave people helping our victims through this tough time!
Onikas is a sustainable textile company that collaborates with global artisans to produce beautiful goods. We believe in preserving cultural heritage by supporting the production of traditional crafts like the art of block printing and weaving. we encourage and embody a lifestyle of slow living in consumption, production, and being.
our masks are zero waste because we have used materials from our very own dead stock. this hamsa - symbolizing protection and blessings- came from an over stock of pajama pants that our workshop messed up, and the masks are made by the pretty lady who is modeling, Pearly, in her Wimberley, Texas home studio! Our masks are small batch because we use our own fabric and when one style runs out we move onto the next- also they have a pocket lining to insert a filter! Dimensions: 4”x 9.5” - Fabric: 100% cotton voile and muslin (3 layers total) - Care: Hand wash recommended but can be machine washed gentle and in a lingerie bag if available. $25. Masks can be purchased on the Onikas website here.
Thank you for supporting local designers and sustainable fashion! stay safe and don't forget to wear a mask!
THE AUTHOR
Pangea Kali Virga is Executive Producer and co-Founder of Miami On Sight and is a full time fashion designer, stylist, creative director, and producer. You can learn more about Pangea at www.pangeakalivirga.com and on Instagram @pangeakalivirga.