Q&A: #WRECares Partners with KRELwear to Donate Face Masks

Photography by on April 17th, 2020 in #WRECares, Editorials, Lifestyle

Karelle Levy

Miami, FL – April 17, 2020 – #WRECares is proud to partner with Karelle Levy, founder KRELwear, to help fight COVID-19. KRELwear is tropical knitwear based in Miami, FL. Born in Paris and raised in Miami, she graduated with a degree in textiles from Rhode Island School of Design. She applies her multi-cultural background to designing and fabricating colorful, body-conscious knitwear for tropical climates. As a performance and textile artist, she creates large-scale installations and works on canvas. Her most notable performance project is Quickie Couture, a series of on-the-spot, custom fashion pieces begin in 2008. Levy also hosts “Stitch N Bitch,” monthly knitting and crochet workshops at various locations around the Miami area.

Read the full Q&A below about how Karelle Levy is doing her part to help fight COVID-19.

Karelle Levy

WRE: How did you get connected with #WRECares?

Karelle Levy: I was connected to WRECares through Erin Newberg. A dear friend, writer, and fabulous Miami socialite who is also the sister-in-law to Jessica.

WRE: How is your company helping to fight COVID-19?

KL: I am selling tubular face covers on my website since March 23. Each mask sold, I’ve donated $10 toward helping front line workers. Last week I donated $400 to Tropical Chinese who is donating meals to hospital workers around Miami. I also donated $100 toward the purchase of PPE through Gelareh Mizrahi’s Go Fund Me toward these supplies in NYC. I am also donating as many masks as I can make to WRECares, because the people who are fighting the terrible pandemic need the support that thankfully we can provide some help for.

I believe anything I can do to help our current situation, it is my duty as a designer in our community to do so… It’s important to keep ourselves and our front line workers as protected as possible.

Karelle Levy

WRE: Why did you want to get involved?

KL: I believe anything I can do to help our current situation, it is my duty as a designer in our community to do so. I’ve always said, If I can, I do! So I am. It’s important to keep ourselves and our front line workers as protected as possible. And those who can’t do it on their own, we should help. It’s an honor to be able to. I also want to make sure that people everywhere with in our community, cover their face and I mean everyone! It’s scary to see people not taking this seriously and taking this for granted. I watch people in the super markets and on the Venetian Causeway, act like nothing is happening and it is beyond scary to me. I want to encourage everyone to cover their faces and if they can do it in style, and comfort, well even better!

WRE: How were you able to involve your industry in the making of masks?

KL: I was asked by a client to start making them so I was already making face covers. I am lucky enough to have my own industrial knitting machine, yarn in sock, and fabric I’ve made in the past.  With all of my own resources, I am able to create my version of a face cover.   I’ve been making these since 2005, and was just going to launch them back into my collection.  But then this happened, and now with the pandemic, I’m actually making something people need. This really feels good!

WRE: What resources do you need to help increase your production of masks? 

KL: It’s hard to say, as what I do is knit on an industrial knitting machine, and sew my own fabrics. Having seamstresses who know how to work with knit materials and have a serger on hand would be greatly appreciated to maximize the production capability. During these last few weeks, I’ve been not only producing masks in need, but I have been moving out of my condo into a new home, with out movers, so it has been really difficult to balance the demand with my personal life. I do want I can, and I’m grateful to be helping in these difficult times.