DOWNEY — To help combat the COVID-19 health crisis, Downey’s Johana Hernández, fashion designer of choice amongst new Latinx Hollywood celebrities, is making safety masks for hospital workers at PIH Health Hospital in Downey.

Hernández’s connection to the hospital is personal – her father’s life was saved from a heart attack by the hospital’s expert staff.

Hernández is also teaching people how to make safety masks from home through online videos on the Glaudi YouTube channel.

Hernández recently launched Glaudi Beverly Hills and was inducted into the Hall of Fame at her alma mater Downey High School, where she was enshrined along the likes of The Carpenters and Metallica's James Hetfield.

Born in Compton of Salvadorian parents, Hernández is the first designer of Salvadoran descent to go to Paris Fashion Week and has designed many dresses for young Latinx celebrities. Like many Latin American immigrants, her parents worked long hours in the Los Angeles garment industry sewing for brands such as Calvin Klein, Guess and Gap.

This is where Hernández got her inspiration to make her own name in fashion. At age 19, she got her first job as a head designer. Her first collection was presented in the Wall Street Journal.

At age 22, she was the head designer for Seven7 Jeans, in where she designed for all sizes including plus sizes. She also designed for Isaac Mizrahi Jeans, Eli Tahari, Disney personality Hannah Montana, and more.

Hernández’ collections are available exclusively at GLAUDI stores locations. At age 24, she showcased her own collection, GLAUDI by Johana Hernández for a cause; through her fashion events and sales, she would donate for low income children in Latin America.

Hernández also made her triumphant return from Paris Fashion Week where she showed for the third time, a first for a designer of Salvadoran descent. Walking Johana's new couture "Alta Costura" and GLAUDI – Bridal collections was the new face of Glaudi - Spanish model (and wife of Latin superstar, "Despacito” singer Luis Fonsi) Águeda López.