As the world grapples with the coronavirus crisis, Ralph Lauren and his company are stepping up to aid those in need. This morning, the designer announced that the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation would set aside $10 million for causes related to the coronavirus. “At the heart of our company, there has always been a spirit of togetherness that inspires our creativity, our confidence, and most importantly our support for one another. In the past weeks and months, that spirit has never wavered,” Lauren, who is the company’s executive chairman and chief creative officer, wrote in a release. “We believe that no matter who you are or where you are from, we are all connected. That is why we are taking significant action to help our teams and communities through this crisis.”
The $10 million will be split among four charitable organizations. Through the Emergency Assistance Foundation, portions of the sum will provide financial grants to help Ralph Lauren employees impacted by the coronavirus, whether that be through medical care, childcare, or eldercare. Another portion will be donated to the World Health Organization COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, as well as to the company’s own Pink Pony Fund for cancer research. In support of American fashion, Lauren’s foundation will generously donate $1 million to Vogue and the CFDA’s A Common Thread initiative. What’s more, the Ralph Lauren brand is researching how it may be of aid in the production of medical-grade masks, gowns, and other hospital materials.
“We recognize that this is an unprecedented, multifaceted crisis which demands different responses for different needs in different places. That is why we are funding multiple activities to support our teams, our partners, and our communities around the world,” said Patrice Louvet, the president and chief executive officer of the Ralph Lauren brand. “As we move through this challenging time, we are focused on continuing to be the beacon of optimism and unity that Ralph Lauren and our brands have always stood for.”
Previously published on US Vogue
Editor
Steff Yotka