Leading Toronto-based fashion designer of evening and bridal couture Ines Di Santo took her love of glamour and sophisticated fashion, and reinvented it to help local front-line nurses with a line of personal protective clothing that are not only well-made, but stylish as well.
The famous designer – known for collections that imbue a sense of glamour, vibrancy and whimsical sophistication – has collaborated with her daughter and business partner, Veronica, and transformed her legendary workroom, where some of the most luxurious wedding gowns have been created, into making protective hospital gowns in response to the urgent need for PPE for local hospitals.
Together, they’ve created hospital apparel that give a sense of style while adhering to industry standards.
It has been an emotional moment for the mother-daughter duo who have been creating couture bridal gowns for nearly 30 years.
“As bridal market is always in April, typically, we would be working on our new collection and planning our runway shows,” said Ines recently.
“Instead we are focused on working on one of our most important collections, making gowns for our healthcare workers. It is important for us to give back to our Toronto community as they have supported my work over the years,” she added.
The need to help is one that led Veronica Di Santo to 20-hour work days creating prototypes and sourcing suitable and available fabrics.
“I have been working with local medical professionals to design prototypes that meet the specifications required for healthcare workers,” said Veronica Di Santo.
Born in Italy and educated throughout Europe and South America, Ines Di Santo’s label has been recognized for collections that inspire whimsy, sophistication and vibrant femininity. Her work has won global praise and media accolades and her gowns have appeared on the red carpet including the Golden Globes.
Today, she and her daughter are part of the solution to fulfil the need for protective hospital wear. The clothing, celebrated for being not only well-made but fashionable, is being produced at cost only, and hand-delivered in person to local hospitals, including Toronto’s Humber River Hospital.
– Check out Inesdisanto.com for more information.
