Coronavirus Fashion Trends
Business is taking a massive hit, but some of our clients see an opportunity for growth—developing wearables designed to protect the population.
COVID-19, commonly known as Coronavirus, is a flu of “unknown cause” that emerged in China in early December of 2019. Since then, the number of confirmed cases worldwide has risen to 189,669. In New York City alone, there are 644 confirmed cases of the virus today. While this figure may seem small, the City only had 48 confirmed cases under a week ago. The virus is growing at an exponential rate, and the situation is not likely to improve in the near future.
On Monday, March 9, 2020, the stock markets became another casualty. The DOW Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq each dropped between 7.3 and 7.8 points. On Monday, March 16th, the markets continued to plummet, with the DOW Jones dropping 12.9 points and the S&P 500 dropping 12 points. Stocks of highly valued companies are being sold at a rapid rate in response to poor future earnings outlooks for 2020. Though some economists believe that the markets are in a position to rebound quickly, Coronavirus is here to stay—at least for the foreseeable future. Public health officials are advising to increase the frequency of handwashing and to reduce the occurrence of large-scale events, but certain interactions are unavoidable. U.S. cities are on lock-down, but people still need to get to the grocery store and purchase essentials like food and medicine.
HBA clients Elizabeth Silver, founder of KleenWraps® (@kleenwraps), and Nicholas “Nick” Graham (@itsnickgraham), founder of Joe Boxer®, independently developed products to protect the population. Both Elizabeth and Nick responded to the threat of the pandemic by stemming from the primary methods of its’ transmission. KleenWraps® is a sanitary hand grip designed to reduce hand exposure and TURTLEMASK is a mouth and nose barrier designed to minimize respiratory exposure. These products are poised to protect people during Coronavirus and future global health crises.
KleenWraps®
Elizabeth Silver and her son Russell Silver-Fagan founded KleenWraps® 5 years ago for in-gym use. The idea was simple: share work-out equipment, not germs. Since then, the idea has become a reality and its novel construction is protected by multiple design patents. Gyms are rife with germs and physicians have warned that equipment like barbells and elliptical handles have a high likelihood of transmitting Coronavirus. A study conducted by the University of Arizona with a random sample of supermarkets on the West Coast found that 50% of grocery store carts had e.coli. KleenWraps® are made with waterproof neoprene and are treated with an antimicrobial solution. Placing KleenWraps® around the grip of any tools reduces the exposure to both viruses and bacteria alike. The product comes in multiple sizes, is machine washable and has power-dots to maintain traction with the applied surfaces. These qualities make KleenWraps® well equipped for use on subway poles, grocery store carts and bike-share handles.
TURTLEMASK
Nicholas “Nick” Graham developed the TURTLEMASK in 2020 as a direct response to Coronavirus. TURTLEMASK is a neck gaiter that also functions as a mask that filters 99% of microscopic particles. The mask is designed with a nose clamp and elastic ear straps for a tight fit. Like Kleenwraps®, TURTLEMASK is designed for stable performance and withstands up to 50 wash cycles. Having his start with Joe Boxer®, Nick is perfectly positioned to bring practical design together with functional use. The development of TURTLEMASK means that hospital-grade masks can be reserved for the professionals who need them, while still allowing everyday folks to feel comfortable and chic in crowded spaces. allowing everyday folks to feel comfortable in crowded spaces.
Russell Silver-Fagan practices corporate, intellectual property and transactional law at HBA. His practice focuses on corporate transactions including venture capital investments, financings and mergers, and acquisitions as well as outside general counsel work, primarily in the fashion, lifestyle and technology industries.
Marc Reiner’s current practice includes General Commercial Litigation; the registration of trademarks; litigation and counseling in the areas of trademarks, copyrights, false advertising, cybersquatting, and violations of the rights of privacy and publicity.