Earth Day Shift
Pictured here: Mother and peaceful beauty, Rachel Niu in the Blaa Nancy Nursing Dress.Photographed by: Michelle Rose Photo
April Showers bring May flowers, they say. Has anyone been outside to notice the flowers blooming this month? This year is certainly different. I, like most of you, have been staying home with my two young children. My husband has been in and out working on the frontlines of the pandemic. This year has allowed me to appreciate the flower blossom season more than ever. Every time I get a chance to walk outdoors, I have a much deeper gratitude and appreciation for the cycles of Mother Earth.
This global shift has not been straightforward or easy, and we are trying to turn around and move the whirlpool of life’s momentum in the opposite direction. That’s what shelter in place feels like to me. A redirecting of my daily habits, of everyone’s daily habits, for the protection of health in our global community. I spent the first five weeks of quarantine in NYC merely coping in the eye of the whirlpool. Taking turns treading water and floating: one foot in front of the other, taking daily siesta, learning how to prevent exhaustion from turning into anger towards the kids. I gave myself space and time to garner new strength and direction to start swimming in the opposite direction.
The coping period experienced a shift in week 6. Every year, I give a nod of awareness on Earth Day. This year, because I was home and able to tune into virtual events, I gave much more focus. Earth Day and Fashion Revolution Week fell on the same week this spring, so I set my focus on both. In the past, I’ve not been a huge participant in Earth Day. I would continue about my schedule, maybe making some slight effort if it was convenient. This year, however, I tuned into a two day virtual summit hosted by Fashinnovation that focused on sustainability in the fashion industry. From the department of partnerships at the UN, to Diane Von Furstenburg, I was fully energized to take action for the health and humanity of our earth and our global community.
Inspired, I made moves, and here are some new projects in motion:
#projectppe - It’s time to join the parade of masks and support our frontline workers. Project PPE is an effort to raise funds to supply PPE for the frontline and the community at large. Fortuitously, we have a direct link to organizations and individuals coordinating the distribution efforts within hospitals…My husband is superman and has been on top of coordinating PPE for his hospital from Day 1 of this crisis. Av Norden’s first move has been partnership with D’Marsh Couture. You can buy gorgeous D’Marsh 100% cotton, made in NYC masks directly on our website. For every purchase, a medical grade mask or surgical cap will be distributed to hospitals and nursing homes in our region. More efforts are in motion to produce PPE of sustainable materials for both the community and frontline. You’ll love the masks we have and you’ll also love what’s coming!
Av Norden has partnered with The Lady Savant Foundation to take over St Joe’s NICU floor to support all the MOMS there this Mother’s Day. This includes moms with NICU babies and moms that have tested positive for COVID19. It’s just unreal; they not only just had a baby, they have a baby in NICU, are fighting for their health, and are all alone!! Some mothers are not even able to hold their new baby. Av Norden has donated nursing hoodies and warm baby socks to bring added comfort and strength to these warrior mothers.Av Norden is built upon mission driven efforts, it fuels everything we do. We want to continue to spread the loving and supportive vibes. You can contribute to our ability to expand these efforts by shopping with us this month. We have added a number of styles to sale, and have curated our favorite looks in the Mother’s Day Edit. We can ship 1 to 2 times a week under strict health and safety protocol. Check out the edit and sale, and support all the mothers!
Stay Safe,
Jenny