Fife wedding designer embarks on new project after fulfilling requests to make thousands of scrubs for NHS workers

NHS Scotland For The Love of Scrubs was started by Kirkcaldy bridal wear designer Mirka. Along with her volunteers, Mirka has made thousands of scrubs for NHS workers.

Mirka Jankowska normally uses her materials to design bespoke bridal gowns, but for the past two months, she has been making sanitary clothing for frontline health staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

Her shop, based in the town’s commercial street, became a hub to support the national effort which involved over 300 machinists across Scotland who volunteered their skills in order to make the much-needed medical scrubs for the NHS. And this week she told Fifetoday she has finished making the scrubs with thousands made!

So she has re-purposed her studio again, this time to make fabric face masks and she has teamed up with a Scottish calligraphy artist, Christina of Laila Lettering in Glasgow, to design a ‘smile’ mask.

Kirkcaldy bridal designer Mirka wearing one of the new face masks she is now producing.

And for each sale made, she donated a children’s face mask to the Royal Hospital of Sick Children’s oncology ward in Edinburgh.

Mirka said: “The hospital we donated to is now sorted for face masks and isn’t looking for more donations so I was looking for another cause to support.

“I always knew Scotland has a real strong community spirit, but I never thought so many would come together to sew in such a quick time. It was like a real production, co-ordinated by people I have never met in person.”

Mirka revealed why she chose to make and sell face masks.

“I decided to start doing face masks to save my business,” she said. “All of my summer brides have had to move their weddings to next year or later and this was going to be my busiest wedding season yet. As I make all of the dresses myself, it means that the number of brides I can book for 2021 is limited due to weddings being moved from this year.”

She continued: “I will just keep making face masks as long as they are needed. We have finished an order of 2000 for a big business, Norbord, which is preparing in case it needs them for employees going back to work.

“I have set up a shop on my website and they are available to purchase there - I have even expanded it to be able to sell to the US and Europe. While I would much rather be making wedding dresses I’m so happy I am able to diversify my business.

“Not only for the much needed extra money but for something to do too – I even got my husband involved since he’s also not able to work right now.”

Mirka said she came to know Christina through her daughter and they both work in the bridal industry. Mirka said: “She was actually one of the first to buy face masks when we opened the store, and her personalisations are always amazing so we decided to make something to put a smile on peoples’ faces!”

Mirka added that she and Christina donated 20 facemarks to the oncology ward and has now appealed to any other places needing children’s face masks to get in touch through her website at www.mirkabridal.co.uk