Tony Singh, proudly showcase fi nished hospital gowns, sewed at his Midtown Manhattan Four Seasons Manufacturing
plant. The pattern was provided by top designer, Ralph Lauren, a client, who will donate the robes to
hospitals across New York. Tony Singh
Caribbean Life, May 1-7, 2020 3
By Nelson A. King
Jamaican-born, New York-based
designer Glenroy March and his fashion
brand D’Marsh Couture have
joined in the fight against the COVID-
19 pandemic, donating masks to frontline
workers at Brooklyn Hospital.
House of D’Marsh said in a statement
on Monday that the staff at
Brooklyn Hospital expressed their
gratitude to March, adding that the
fashionable masks “will certainly add
color and brighten” their day.
“D’Marsh and his team will make
another donation in the coming
weeks to Brooklyn Hospital, which
will comprise additional masks, plus
head covering, before moving on to
other hospitals in the tri-state,” the
statement said.
March said that his brand is partnering
with Av Norden to design, produce
and distribute essential protective
gear for frontline workers.
“For every mask sold, they will produce
and distribute a mask and head
covering to healthcare workers,” he
said. “Additionally, with your donation,
they will produce and distribute
head coverings and masks for healthcare
workers.”
House of D’Marsh had its genesis
in Spring 2003 when designer March
launched his Spring collection during
Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica’s
capital city, Kingston.
March said this start gave rise to
the pursuit of a passion that “would
later go on to stun audiences not just
locally but internationally.”
With an eye for detail and perfection,
March said he honed his design
skills at the prestigious American
Academy of Dramatic Arts, “obtaining
practical experience while working in
the costume department.”
By Tangerine Clarke
Guyanese-American, Tony Singh, is
doing his part to help in the Covid-19
fight by sewing non-surgical gowns
at his Midtown Manhattan, Four Seasons
Fashion Manufacturing plant to be
donated to hospitals across New York.
With more than 25 years of experience
manufacturing garments for top
fashion designers, Donna Karran, and
The Row, Singh, who recently completed
outfits for members of the 2020
U.S. Olympic team, (Olympics cancelled),
was approached by Ralph Lauren,
another client, to sew 5,000 gowns
and 10,000 face masks.
Singh brings a wealth of experience
to this opportunity after being
employed as a factory worker, his first
job when he migrated to the United
States 30 years ago, later acquiring
Four Seasons Manufacturing.
Today, the entrepreneur is once again
making history as the first Guyanese to
be thrust into such a prominent role,
helping thousands affected by the coronavirus
pandemic.
So far, staff that maintains social distancing
stitch and assemble from a pattern
provided by Ralph Lauren, while
others, who label and pack the items,
finished 1500 gowns.
The businessman, who said he will
not make much of a profit, but just
enough to keep the factory afloat and
staff employed, has a dedicated team,
but sympathizes with others, who were
afraid to come to work during the lockdown.
However, he said he was happy to be
back at work after closing his doors for
four weeks, adding, that he was also
honored to play his part in giving back,
and helping frontline workers in the
fight against Covid -19.
According to Singh, his hands are
full, since he works four days at the factory,
and another two days organizing
thousands of pounds of food from the
New York Food Bank, and handing out
hampers from Calvary’s Mission Food
pantry, he started more than 10 years
ago to feed the needy in the community
.W
ith the help of his daughter, Nadia,
son-in-law, Kevin Sookdeo, Roger Gary,
who travels from Brooklyn, and other
volunteers, hampers are packed and
handed out to hundreds who line up
from 5 am outside the Richmond Hill
Queens, pantry.
However, due to the pandemic, the
numbers have increased, forcing volunteers
to issue tickets, so that social
distancing is adhered to, as everyone is
served a nutritious meal.
He follows strict guidelines, ensuring
volunteers, as well as persons on line
wear masks and gloves. Hampers are
then placed on a table to be picked up.
Last Saturday, 1200 families were
assisted during a staggered 10-minute
time frame, starting at 7 am, with the
first 30 persons being served.
The charitable Singh, said he felt
great that he could give back, and
despite some volunteers being fearful
at this perilous time, he was confident
that God wanted him to do his (God’s)
work, adding that he will be protected
by the holy one.
“My family is concerned for my
health because I am diabetic, but I feel
strong, mentally and physically for my
age, and I will continue to do what I
enjoy.”
“We are united for the greater good,
and when you can make people feel
contented you feel contented too, especially
when they say thank you,” said
Singh, adding that the kindness of
a stroke victim assured him that his
handout was appreciated.
After dropping off a hamper to the
stroke victim, she insisted that he protected
himself, and offered disinfecting
wipes and paper towels to keep in his
car.
“People are appreciative of what you
do. I am doing this because I love helping
others,” he assured.
The food pantry, located at 102-16
89th Ave., Richmond Hill, NY 11418, is
open to the public. To learn more, visit
calvarysmission.org
Jamaican-born designer Glenroy
March (in black) poses with the
frontline workers at Brooklyn Hospital
after making a donation of
masks. House of D’Marsh
Guyanese-born sews hospital gowns,
runs food pantry in COVID-19 fight
Jamaican
designer
donates masks
to Brooklyn
Hospital
/calvarysmission.org
