1.2 Research Problems and Research Questions
In this interpretive study, we will interview designers who are currently active in the fashion industry in Malaysia and analyse their way of contributing to the frontlines in order to determine how the fashion industry is able to contribute PPE to the frontlines in the current pandemic. There have been many accounts of Malaysians getting together to make PPE for the frontliners. Except the formal fashion organization is mobilizing their production facilities and supply chains to help address the global shortage of PPE, the fashion designers are also shifting its skilled dressmakers to producing personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontliners so that healthcare workers need not worry about their attire, as the quantum of PPE usage may further increase as no one knows when the outbreak can be contained. The fashion designers do whatever they could supply would be much needed and shared so that it can assist those who are putting themselves in danger to help others during this time. The research question is based on what the fashion designers have to say about the COVID-19 pandemic, the contribution to the initiative, and sewing to help save lives.
1.3 Justification for the research The study of the research shows a direct relation with the current situation which is controlling the pandemic in Malaysia which is how the fashion industry can contribute to the frontlines and help control the pandemic by supporting and providing PPE. The lack of PPE is a global concern. The current global stockpile of PPE is insufficient, particularly for medical masks and respirators. The supply of gowns and goggles is soon expected to be insufficient also. The current PPE shortage is driven not only by the number of COVID-19 cases but also by misinformation, panic buying and stockpiling which is something that, if it continues, will only lead to further shortages of PPE.As the world has been treating cases from this pandemic, a lot of PPE has been used up while supply availability has been hampered by a number of issues, including export and travel restrictions by some producing countries, and lockdowns that have forced
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