Herman Miller and Grace Farms Foundation introduced a limited-edition, ethically manufactured face mask, with proceeds supporting Design for Freedom — a new movement to eradicate forced labor from the built environment.
Designed in collaboration with architects Shohei Yoshida, Principal of shohei yoshida + associates / sy+a and formerly of SANAA, and Peter Miller, Founding Partner of Palette Architecture and formerly of Handel Architects, the Design for Freedom face mask is inspired by the internationally award-winning SANAA-designed River building at Grace Farms.
The custom outer layer fabric is woven with silvery-like thread in KIRYU-ori brocade style, a Japanese textile tradition cultivated over more than 1,000 years. The artisanal weave creates a subtle gradient pattern and soft luminescent appearance that shifts according to light, direction, and the texture of the fabric. To reduce waste, the excess material cut to make the mask will be reused through Grace Farms’ programming. The architects created the design pro bono to support the initiative.
“The Design for Freedom face mask shows what’s possible when visionary leaders—like Herman Miller, Shohei Yoshida, and Peter Miller— bring their expertise to the table and collaborate to advance good,” said Sharon Prince, the CEO and Founder of Grace Farms Foundation, who spearheaded the Design for Freedom movement. “Human life and human dignity are at risk every day, and most people are unaware of the forced labor in the building materials supply chain. It is our hope that those who wear this face mask will shine a light on the issue of forced labor and create opportunities for change.”
Herman Miller and Design Within Reach are the exclusive retailers of the Design for Freedom face mask. The limited-edition, custom-designed face mask will retail for $30 and is available through Herman Miller’s online store. The organization states that 100 per cent of the proceeds will fund research and programs to move toward building slave-free.
“At Herman Miller, we design for the good of humankind. We believe in using business as a force for good and throughout our history have been at the forefront of creating industry standards for a better world. We’re proud to be associated with Design for Freedom and are committed to working with our stakeholders to ensure the development of an ethical supply chain, within the ecosystem of the built environment,” said Debbie Propst, President, Herman Miller Retail.