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Fashion Fights Cancer How the Fashion industry is Helping Combat Mental Health Effects of COVID-19

NEW YORK CITY March 5, 2021 — The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many people’s mental health and created additional barriers for people already suffering from mental illnesses. During the pandemic, about 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. As the pandemic wears on, ongoing measures leave many people exposed to situations linked to poor mental health.

Fashion Fights Cancer (FFC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers innovative and therapeutic programs in fashion and design, FFC has pivoted during this time to not only provide support to cancer patients and survivors, but to help all people struggling with mental health issues. Fashion Fights Cancer previously hosted therapeutic online workshops, with CFDA Designer Tracy Reese, Jewelry Designer & FFC Advisory Board Member Pamela Love and Super Model Saskia De Brauw. Most recently, Fashion Fights Cancer hosted a class with Sustainability Designer Cara Marie Piazza, DVF’s former President & FFC Advisory Board Member Sandra Campos, Fashion Financier & FFC Advisory Board Gary Wassner and Seed Food and Wine Co-Founder Alison Burgos to learn about sustainable natural dying, as a way to help deal with mental health issues in cancer patients and general society alike.

Fashion designer Christian Siriano, who has also worked with the organization, was inspired by the initiative, saying, “Fashion Fights Cancer is such an amazing and inspiring organization when it comes to helping cancer patients and survivors enrich their mind and body. When I learned about all of the great opportunities FFC had to offer, I couldn’t wait to get involved.”

Fashion Fights Cancer is hosting a virtual Therapeutic Workshop for Women’s History Month. This workshop, led by Tauts of FFC, is co-hosted by Women’s Wear Designer Tanya Taylor, Fashion Bloggers Sophie and Charlotte of Yin to my Yang, Luxury Handbag Designer Jeff Wang, Cancer Fashionista Melissa Berry, and Penny Karabey, of Luxury Next Season & FFC Advisory Board. It will also be moderated by Stylist Monica Diaz and is sponsored by Mood Fabrics, Tandy Leather and Brooklyn’s own Buckle Guy.
The workshop will allow participants to create a leather clutch for themselves or a loved one. The organization is offering this therapeutic workshop for all persons dealing with anxiety and depression because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will teach skills to create a timeless piece and allow guests to create a clutch from the comforts of their home and bond with an online community during these times of isolation via Zoom on March 20th, 2021 at 1pm EST. Fashion Fights Cancer is accepting sign ups through their website.

There are other ways to support Fashion Fights Cancer, one of them being our Women’s History Month Auction running simultaneous to the event. The online auction will feature designs and online experiences from prominent designers such as Diane Von Furstenburg and Rick Owens; Project Runaway’s Nina Garcia and Gary Wassner will curate parts of the auction. All proceeds will go towards organizing therapeutic workshops that FFC offers.

Fashion Fights Cancer workshop facilitator Super Model Saskia de Brauw reflected on the importance of participating in FFC workshops, as she says, “After being part of a fashion photography workshop for cancer patients and survivors organized by FFC, I realized how important it is for patients and survivors to experience joy and laughter as part of their healing process. Taking their mind away from their illness is crucial to recovery.”
Fashion Fights Cancer’s workshops are offered online and free to all cancer patients and survivors, hospitals, and cancer research institutes including Mt. Sinai Health Systems, Gilda’s Club and Memorial Sloan Kettering. All others who wish to participate in this unique online workshop, can register for the event on FFC’s website. All proceeds from this event will support future workshops and programming towards Fashion Fights Cancer’s mission.

To register for the class, visit: fashionfightscancer.org/events
For more information about this organization, please visit: fashionfightscancer.org