How Star Wars, Power Rangers, Teletubbies and Netflix inspired coronavirus protection suits

As the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers continues to rise in the Philippines, Vice-President Leni Robredo recently called on the local fashion community to design and produce its own.

A joint effort by designers led to the creation of a prototype PPE. Upon review and approval by medical experts, the pattern was at once uploaded online to be accessed by designers for free.

It did not take long for other Filipino designers to create their own PPEs in varying designs – from large suits for medical workers with bigger frames, to two-piece PPEs that would make it easier for female doctors to use.

In Iloilo City, known as the “city of love”, designers Adrian Pe and Ram Silva, have come up with fun and colourful suits to lift the spirits of medical workers. “I think this helps create a positive environment for our frontliners,” said Pe. “Instead of feeling scared when going to work, at least they feel empowered.”

Pe isn’t only in the business of fashion; he holds a full-time job as an OR (operating room) nurse at The Medical City Iloilo, too. Before the pandemic hit the Philippines, he had been creating bridal dresses and ball gowns in between hospital shifts.

Heeding the call of his community, Pe sought help from his fellow nurses and seamstresses to begin making PPEs instead. “Being a nurse myself, I saw and understood the dire need of protection for my colleagues,” Pe explained. “When there are no cases, we would [use] our time making PPE suits.”

Pe began producing PPEs from yellow, green and purple fluid-resistant fabrics, as these were the only materials available. When a friend pointed out that the finished product looked like the Teletubbies, Pe tried to source red fabric to complete the four. Posting it online, his work caught attention and more fabric donations came in.