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Limited-edition ‘New York Tough’ mask designed by Public School to raise funds for New Yorkers in need
Mask profits to be donated to COVID-19 relief charities Feeding America, Nurse Heroes, New York COVID Relief Fund
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his daughter, Mariah Kennedy Cuomo, announced New York is partnering with The RealReal and dozens of New York fashion designers to launch "Mask Up," a campaign to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts and remind the public of the need to wear masks. The "Mask Up" campaign will raise funds for communities impacted by COVID-19 by donating mask profits to three charities working in New York and across the country to help people in need: Feeding America, Nurse Heroes and the New York COVID Relief Fund.
The state and The RealReal will release a limited-edition "New York Tough" mask designed by acclaimed New York fashion label Public School as part of a five-week campaign featuring themed weekly mask drops.
"As we continue the fight against COVID-19, one fact is clear: Masks help stop the spread and save lives. But it's also clear that COVID fatigue is setting in and that presents its own challenge," Cuomo said. "We need to find creative ways to encourage people to wear masks. The ‘Mask Up’ campaign leverages the creativity of the New York fashion community to help solve this public health challenge, while simultaneously raising funds for communities impacted by COVID-19. Take a look at the ‘NY Tough’ masks and ‘Mask Up.’ Together, we will beat this virus."
Kennedy Cuomo said, "At a time when so many are looking for a way to make a difference, wearing a mask has the power to save lives, and is a statement about who you are. The ‘Mask Up’ campaign unites incredible designers who are deeply connected to New York, the fashion capital of our country. The RealReal and New York state are partnering to harness the power of the fashion community to convey a very simple, but critically important message: ‘Mask Up.’ Stop the spread. Save lives! Our country is still battling COVID-19, and this campaign demonstrates that we can find fun, creative ways to make an impact."
Julie Wainwright, founder and CEO of The RealReal, said, "By combining the power of the fashion community's influence with the leadership of Gov. Cuomo and Mariah Kennedy Cuomo, we can be a collective force for good. It's our privilege to bring together such a diverse and talented group of New Yorkers to inspire people to wear a mask, while supporting the work of our charitable partners doing so much for communities impacted by COVID."
Fashion label Public School was founded by New York City natives Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne and is known for its street-savvy clothing inspired by the designers' experiences growing up in public schools in New York. Chow and Osborne have ambitious sustainability plans to make a majority of their products from surplus, vintage or recycled materials.
"We are products of New York and represent the resilience and toughness of that New York spirit, so it's only right that we participated in this campaign," the creative directors and co-founders said in a joint statement. “We wanted to design something that represented the power of the people coming together to fight for a common cause. New Yorkers have always had each other's backs and that hasn't changed for this pandemic."
Over the next five weeks, The RealReal and New York will launch themed mask drops every Monday. Each week's theme is inspired by one of New York's core values: tough, smart, united, disciplined and loving.
Participating brands and designers include 3.1 Phillip Lim, 4SDESIGNS, Alejandra Alonso Rojas, Alice + Olivia, Altuzarra, Chromat, Collina Strada, Jonathan Cohen, KES, Mara Hoffman, Mi Jong Lee, Michael Kors, Nili Lotan, Noah, Prabal Gurung, Public School, Rag & Bone, Romeo Hunte, Ryan Roche, Sandy Liang, Studio 189, Tanya Taylor, Thom Browne, Victor Glemaud and Zero + Maria Cornejo.