The French luxury group LVMH, which owns Dior, Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy has pursued numerous solidarity initiatives in its fight against the virus, including the retooling of its Cosmetics production units to manufacture and distribute large quantities of free hydroalcoholic gel free, and the provision of orders for several million surgical masks for French health authorities from a Chinese manufacturer.

Most recently, LVMH has pledged to help address the surgical mask shortage France is currently facing. In response, Louis Vuitton has launched the production of hundreds of thousands of non-surgical face masks.

Louis Vuitton has repurposed its French workshops in Marsaz, Saint-Donat, Saint-Pourçain, Ducey and Sainte-Florence, and have mobilized three hundred artisans to increase production of alternative masks to assist in the fight against COVID-19 and protect the safety of healthcare workers on the frontline by ensuring the availability of personal protective equipment.

The materials for Louis Vuitton’s mask production are being supplied by Mode Grand Ouest, a regional network of the textile industry that is collaborating with the brand to create the non-surgical masks.

Michael Burke with Louis Vuitton employee at the brand’s Sainte-Florence workshop. (Louis Vuitton)

Michael Burke, Louis Vuitton chairman and CEO, marked the brand’s launch of mask production by visiting the brand’s Sainte-Florence workshop this week, where 22 artisans are voluntarily stationed to make masks.  

“As an important French House, Louis Vuitton wishes to commit at its level to producing many thousands of masks that will be distributed within the region, at no charge, to protect those who are most exposed,” Burke said.

“This production is the fruit of a wonderful collaboration with the regional sector of the textile industry,” Burke added.

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