This guidance has led big-name apparel brands to shift production toward masks. But many smaller sellers are also stepping up to serve a societal need and bring in revenue at a particularly difficult time for retail.
Here are several Los Angeles companies now selling face masks:
Nylander: Nylander primarily sells bags and accessories, but has shifted to include hand-sewn face masks as well. To purchase, send a message on Instagram to arrange payment and shipping.
treehaus: This Atwater Village boutique is selling via pre-order masks made of double ply cotton dead-stock fabric in a few different shades and patterns.
Endo Customs: This bicycling apparel company is offering three-packs of masks emblazoned with the words “6ft please” in two sizes. If ordered alone, masks begin shipping next week.
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Manahan & Co: The husband-and-wife-founded tailored apron service began making face masks in mid-March. The current wait time for a Manahan & Co mask is five to seven business days. To get in line, fill out a form on their website.
The House of Woo: This Arts District company started by another husband-and-wife team is selling masks made from assorted excess fabric yields. Masks ship three to four days after orders are placed.
Liquid Sky: Liquidsky makes skydiving jumpsuits and other action sportswear. Its new poly microsuede fabric masks are made to fit tightly around the face and include a filter that can be inserted in the mask. Masks ship between 10-15 days after ordering.
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Heather Taylor Home: This posh home goods company sells 10-packs of face masks with its scrap fabric. Heather Taylor Home anticipates its next batch of masks will ship in the next 15-25 days.
Courtyard LA: Known for its vintage clothing, this shop offers decorative masks in a variety of fabrics and colors. Shipping begins one to two weeks from the time of order.
Hedley & Bennett: This Vernon-based kitchen and workwear company created a face mask with the help of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. The masks are made to use with a filter and take two to three weeks to deliver.
Rachel Schnalzer Stewart is a former audience engagement editor for the Los Angeles Times. In addition to overseeing daily news engagement for the Business and World Nation sections, she managed promotion for projects such as Global California, Repowering the West and the Great SoCal House Hunt. Schnalzer Stewart has also served as the lead writer for the Times’ travel newsletter, Escapes, and Business newsletter. Schnalzer Stewart graduated from Johns Hopkins University and worked at BuzzFeed and Snap before joining The Times in 2019.