ONE STITCH AT A TIME

Fashion designer PATTY ANG and her dedicated staff tirelessly make PPEs for frontliners and medical practitioners, in an effort to help sew the world back together from a deadly pandemic

Patty Ang’s leadership style has always been about working closely with her people. Since she started her atelier in a small onebedroom apartment several years ago, she always considered her sewers and staff as family. When the business quickly grew, the young designer took everyone with her—making sure they all had a place at the new and improved Atelier Patty Ang. As she continued to find success, her work family only increased. Their two-floor Fort atelier includes a large workroom, where dozens of sewers tirelessly work to create beautiful garments in tight deadlines.

Despite long work hours and crazy time schedules, everyone is always in good spirits. Patty likes to keep it light and enjoyable, creating a wonderful working environment for her family of skilled artisans. It isn’t an unusual sight to see everybody in the workroom having a good time. There are frequent sounds of laughter and chatter (Patty’s laugh is infectious), while food and drink are always being passed around. In her 2017 cover story for Lifestyle Asia, Patty even mentioned how much she loved to play games with staff, as well as invite everyone to stay for after-work drinks.

HER TOP PRIORITY

The recent spread of COVID-19 has put the world as we know it on a full stop. Businesses are in peril, families are suffering, governments are struggling. These uncertain times have certainly put a dark shadow over the entire globe. Patty knew she had to take responsibility for the welfare and safety of her staff. They are and always have been her top priority. Although most of 2020 was already meticulously planned way in advance for the fashion house, Patty had to scrap the plans. It was a small price to pay to make sure that her staff is well taken care of, away from possible infections and the further spreading of the disease.

“My team and I kept ourselves updated on the situation in-country and overseas,” she shared. “We constantly held internal meetings, which granted us ample time to plan ahead of how we can adjust, recover, and move forward from this crisis. It was a bit of a challenge, as the government was also very quick in changing regulations.” Because of the team’s precise preparation, Atelier Patty Ang is able to continue business in a healthy environment. They engage their clients through their social media channels or by communicating through the telephone.

NO OFFICIAL PROCESS

With her work family safe, Patty decided it was time to use her skills and resources to aid medical practitioners against the deadly coronavirus. With the help of her staff’s good hearts and volunteerism, as well as the generosity of many who donated materials like fabrics and zippers, Patty and her team are exercising their knowledge in fashion to craft PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment). “The fashion industry holds power and influence over its consumers, which can be used for [the greater good],” she shares.

Patty admits that there’s no official process in creating the PPEs. “A lot of people are reaching out to us,” she says. “But we want to focus on small public hospitals as they don’t have the funds to provide for the frontliners.” She continues to say that they act as fast as they can. They compile social media messages, emails, and text messages. The team then lists everything, which is sent to production. The PPEs are immediately sent to hospitals as soon as the last stitch is sewn.

FASHION’S HOTTEST COMMODITY

When asked about the future of the fashion industry, Patty decided to stray away from the topic, and just focus on the now. It’s not that she was scared of the question but instead wanted to emphasize that the situation in hand is more important than anything else. She noted that although the pandemic will change many things, people should take this time to truly reflect on how they can improve themselves and their businesses, as well as “how they can contribute to society with the resources they are granted”.

“Despite being overwhelmed by the effects of this crisis, I believe there is something good that came out of it—solidarity. If we continue to lift each other, we can move forward and make it through this,” she shared. This pandemic has brought Patty back to square one when she was starting her business with only two-sewers. It was all about working together to create something to wear for other people. It took all their passion and hard work to make it through the day. Today, they continue to do just that, albeit in different circumstances. Instead of gowns, tops, and dresses, they are making PPEs. In today’s world, PPEs may very well be fashion’s hottest commodity. Not because they are stylish, but because it protects our heroes in this current war.