GARMENT DISTRICT FOR GOWNS
COVID-19 has afflicted more people in the United States than in any other country in the world. For months hospitals, nursing homes and healthcare facilities within the USA have experienced PPE shortages and severe disruptions in the supply chain, leaving healthcare workers inadequately protected as they work tirelessly to save lives and mitigate further spread of the disease.
Our mission is to help supply healthcare workers with an essential PPE needed on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic. By manufacturing and sourcing PPE within the United States we eliminate the supply chain disruption and price gouging activities that have led to the PPE shortages.
Through partnerships with manufacturers within New York’s famous Garment District we have been able to produce thousands of FDA registered Isolation gowns, caps and shoe covers, all whilst supporting over 1200 US jobs, and have helped the Garment District navigate through these uncertain economic times.
WHO WE ARE
We are a group of independent professionals in the fashion industry, with training and experience working for brands such as Ralph Lauren, Dior, Marchesa, The Row, Vera Wang, Ralph Rucci, and Oscar de la Renta. We are designers, product developers, pattern makers, and sewers, and we’re strengthened by our relationships with factories in New York City’s Garment District.
We have assembled our skills and resources to help supply healthcare workers with an essential piece of protection needed on the front lines. Within our first week of launching in April, we self-financed our first batch of 300 gowns, which was sewn by 30+ volunteer sewers.
Thanks to the support received via our GoFundMe campaign, we were then able to scale up manufacturing by subcontracting factories, safely bring back over 1200 furloughed workers, and produce thousands of additional gowns. Throughout this process, we have stayed in close contact with Governor Cuomo’s office representatives, NY state department of health and NYC city officials, as well as other non-profit organizations all coordinating in this huge effort to source effective and reliable PPE.
OUR GOWNS
GDFG designed and developed a medical gown that offers necessary and complete protection for healthcare workers. Our entire supply chain is sourced within the United States and we use the highest quality fabrics with excellent barrier protection. Our gowns have been tested in certified testing facilities within the USA and meet and exceed the requirements for AAMI PB70 Barrier protection for Levels 1&2 for up to 50 industrial laundry cycles.
American Made
Our gowns are produced in the USA in New York’s famous Garment District. GDFG has worked closely with Governor Cuomo’s office to grant permits to local apparel manufacturing businesses during the mandated state-wide lockdown. In enabling local businesses to pivot their production lines to producing this essential piece of PPE, we have been able to bring back furloughed workers, whilst following strict safety measures to safeguard over 1200 manufacturing jobs in the city. In sourcing and producing PPE domestically, we are able to mitigate supply chain delays and lower our carbon footprint in PPE manufacturing.
Medical Grade
In partnering with highly esteemed local hospital compliance teams, every aspect of the GDFG gown, from the material to its overall design, has been vetted, tested and approved as suitable and efficient isolation gowns.
Reusable
To further address the current PPE scarcity, our GDFG gown is crafted with a durable water repellent (DWR) polyurethane coating, which gives the gown a 100% fluid repellency capability and extends its usability up to 50 laundry cycles. Current hospital gowns are manufactured for single use and are disposed of after attending a single patient.
WHO WE SERVE
Garment District for Gowns has provided FDA registered Class I, Level II Reusable gowns to over 45 hospitals and healthcare facilities since March 2020. We continue to manufacture and donate essential personal protective equipment throughout the United States.
SUPPORTERS
We have received incredible support from the following organizations, companies, individuals and publications who have helped raise awareness, funding and donated key materials directly to Garment District for Gowns.
SUPPORTERS
We have received incredible support from the following organizations, companies, individuals and publications who have helped raise awareness, funding and donated key materials directly to Garment District for Gowns.
PRESS
Our Team
Rachel Rothenberg
Co-Founder, CEO
Rachel Rothenberg-Saenz is a graduate of Parsons School of Design who formerly worked as Head of Product Design & Development for Oscar de la Renta. Previously, she has worked in both design and development capacities at Ralph Lauren, The Row, and Ralph Rucci. Rachel co-founded the Non-Profit organization Garment District for Gowns which manufactures and donates critical Isolation Gowns to healthcare organizations within the United States.
Alexandra Baylis
Co-Founder, COO
Alexandra Baylis is a graduate of Central Saint Martins University in London, who most recently worked as a senior designer for Oscar de la Renta. Previously, she has worked at Christian Dior, Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang. Alexandra co-founded the Non-Profit Garment District for Gowns.
Amy Tiefermann
Co-Founder, CPO
Amy Tiefermann is a graduate of Kent State University in Ohio, who most recently worked as a Patternmaker for Oscar de la Renta. Previously, she has worked at Marchesa. Amy co-founded the Non-Profit Garment District for Gowns.
Alessandra Dean
Director of Production
Alessandra Dean is a graduate of RMIT University in Melbourne, and Fashion Institute of Technology. She has spent the last decade in Production, manufacturing in the garment district and abroad. Most recently she has worked at The Row and Opening Ceremony.
Emmanuel Nunez
Marketing & Communications Manager
Emmanuel is a graduate of Parsons School of Design. Most recently he has worked as a Designer for Oscar De la Renta and Coach. Emmanuel joins the GarmentDistrict for Gowns team to manage its marketing and communications strategy.
