Marie Mercié makes masks available to help during the pandemic
The Brazilian women’s fashion brand Marie Marcié was one of many manufacturers who decided to dedicate part of their production line to the manufacture of masks. According to the founder Mércia Moura, the brand was finalizing the making of the winter collection when the pandemic started and new measures had to be adopted.
The company, which is part of Texbrasil (Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program) – the result of a partnership between Abit (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) and Apex-Brasil (Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency), has 50% of the team on vacation, and the rest works in shifts, finishing the collection and producing masks.
Mércia says that the making of masks was initially only for employees and their families, but it grew as demand increased. “That’s how we were able to meet the shortage of this protective material,” she explains.
With this, the brand started to produce 10 thousand masks every week, which are distributed to stores, supermarkets, enterprises and factories that are in the region of Marie Mercié’s headquarters, in the interior of the state of Pernambuco, and also cannot completely stop the operation. The parts are accompanied by a label with instructions for use, in accordance with the recommendations of the WHO (World Health Organization) and the Ministry of Health.
Thinking of the future
Mércia says that the winter collection, about to be launched, began to be produced in November. With the reduced staff, the company chose to complete the parts, which are sold in all states.
The new collection bets on shapes and silhouettes, especially the sleeves, which have gained prominence and various forms, from snorting, inspired by the fashion of the 1980s, to more delicate versions with ties and applications.
Even with the difficulties presented by the pandemic, Marie Mercié remains confident and optimistic, thinking about the future. According to Mércia, summer 2021 is the focus of the team, which is already developing ideas for the collection.
About Texbrasil
The Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program (Texbrasil) works with companies in the textile and clothing sector developing strategies to conquer the global market. Over nearly 20 years, it has helped around 1500 brands to enter the export trail, making USD 3.6 billion in business. The Program is carried out through a partnership between Abit and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil).