These 11 Latina Small Businesses Are Making Masks Accessible And Also Very Stylish
To help halt the spread of coronavirus, the mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, has ordered that effective Friday, April 10, 2020, Los Angeles residents wear protective covering on their faces while outdoors. Essential employees are also required to do the same.
Since March, residents have been struggling to find retailers that have face masks readily available for purchase. This surge of panic buying also resulted in a shortage of medical-grade face masks for doctors, nurses and other individuals in the medical field.
Inspired by relentless workers, small business owners are doing their part to help flatten the COVID-19 curve, by making their own face masks.
Since the Center For Disease Control recommends wearing some form of cloth to help slow down the spread of coronavirus, we have rounded up 11 Latina small business owners who are making masks easily accessible. Below are a few members of our community who you can help support while helping our universe heal from this pandemic.
Cha Cha Covers
This brand has a wide assortment of washable, reusable face masks available. Some prints have become so popular, particularly those that show L.A. pride, they have sold out but the brand promises to restock soon. Also available in kids sizes.
Ashley Nell Tipton
Former “Project Runway” alum and fashion designer, Tipton says she was sitting in her studio “thinking of ways to make a positive impact during this time.” Her solution resulted in a positive impact that helps elderly people in her neighborhood — a fun masks. She says if we have to wear a mask, why not do it in style? And we like the way she thinks.
Back Stitch Bruja
This brand says they hoarded fabric for the apocalypse, but we’re glad they’re using it for a good deed. Their assortment of masks includes Coco-inspired designs as well as other fun prints with bruja vibes written all over.
Diosa Leon Footwear
This brand is selling hand-sewn face masks and with every purchase that is made, they are donating a face mask to a frontline worker. As they say, “con amor y unidad, nada es impossible” and we stand behind that statement as well.
Heart And Sew Clothing
This brand sells their face masks between $5-$8 as a conscious effort to make their supplies accessible to people with lower income. This business is run by a mother of two girls.
Azteca Negra
This brand is providing free cotton masks for healthcare workers and first responders in addition to masks for sale for the general public.
Lvly Shorty
This mother-daughter duo is hand sewing face masks with animated prints. They are based in Los Angeles and are providing free shipping with orders of three or more masks. They offer kids and adult sizes of their reusable, washable masks.
Action VC
This nonprofit organization is giving masks away for a $10 donation. In addition, 100% of donations raised will go toward their program that purchases and delivers care packages for low-income seniors and families.
JY Silkscreen
This Latina owned family business is assembling and customizing face masks directly from Los Angeles with an assortment of prints including one that says Chula para la Sala which is incredibly relatable right now.
The Magick Cabinet
This brand is a wife-husband team working endless hours to provide masks to residents. They are very appreciative of the support they have received.
Have Cats Will Travel 3
This brand has masks available for fans of the cult classic “Harry Potter.” If traditional sarape-type prints are more your style, they also have something for you.
Thank you to our FIERCE community for nominating these small business owners. For the complete list, check out our post below:
We are forever inspired by your hustle, mujeres.