From the Sutherland Designer Profile section
Perennials makes masks to combat COVID19
The Heart of Design
Our passion for design is only matched by our passion for community. In response to the local and national need for face masks, Perennials pivoted operations in order to manufacture masks, donating fabrics, labor, and facilities. We are proud to be able to help the essential workers and healthcare personnel on the front lines of the COVID19 pandemic.
We rise by lifting others.
There is no question that we are living in uncertain times. Every industry has been touched by the Coronavirus pandemic. From supply chain to showroom operation, the design community is reeling from obstacles – financially and otherwise. Yet among the economic burden and uncertainty, we see many industry players coming together to help fight the spread of this virus. An intersection of compassion and design. The Heart of Design
Perennials is headquartered in Dallas along with our sister brand Sutherland Furniture. In response to the rise of Dallas COVID19 cases and shelter-at-home ordinance, we quickly brought together our Perennials and Sutherland teams to organize our fighting efforts. We pivoted operations and reopened our warehouses to manufacture masks. Our ability to donate fabric, labor, and two facilities is our biggest asset in aiding those on the front lines. We use “unfinished” fabrics (those not treated with Nanoseal ™ technology) to make masks that fit over N95 masks, extending the life of regulation medical-grade masks. Because our fabrics are 100% solution-dyed acrylic textiles, they completely stand up to bleach, which is a great benefit as healthcare workers routinely wash clothes, instruments, and facilities using bleach.
I am optimistic that this crisis too shall pass, like those that came before it. Our company always comes out stronger on the other side. Knowing this I find it incredibly important to support our community, and our employees, in these uncertain times.
We are thrilled to employ skilled artisans not only just in Dallas, but also across the globe. We also directed our Perennials Textiles de Mexico and Perennials India facilities to aid in mask manufacturing from afar. Not to worry, our staff in every location is social distancing…
The Cause
The most important part of this project? Getting the masks into the hands of those who need them. We are thrilled to partner with Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, UT Southwestern, and DART to outfit their healthcare personnel and essential workers.
In addition to adult masks, we are also manufacturing child-size masks as the need for them increases at Children’s Medical Center. Our liaison told us about their shortage for patients who were undergoing non-COVID19-related procedures, such as chemotherapy. As these patients have weakened immune systems, it is upmost importance that they are protected from the virus. Again, as Perennials Masks are reusable and bleach-cleanable, they free up N95 masks for severely ill patients, doctors, and nurses.
We know the monotony of working from home and self-isolation can be emotionally draining. This is why we are encouraging industry friends and family to share acts of compassion with the hashtag #theheartofdesign. Only by coming together will we weather this storm. Every little bit of connection, optimism, and kindness helps.
