The Coronavirus pandemic has hit the world hard in the gut disrupting livelihood everywhere. And as of now, we can safely say that it is here to stay for a long time. Our lives are swiftly forming around it. As no medicine or vaccine is available for the pandemic, the only protection we can offer to our body is the face masks.
Face masks have become one of the must-have items of our existence whenever we step outside. And in some parts of the world, it is even mandatory to wear masks outdoor. Like a scene from the apocalyptic worlds we see in the movies, a world where everyone hides behind a face mask is quickly coming to life. But as people are reluctant to wear them all the time despite the health risk because of its dull and tedious look, fashion comes to the rescue. Masks are quickly evolving to a must-have fashion item that you can coordinate according to your outfit.
With its booming potential to become a huge and profitable business, fashion units and entrepreneurs all over the world have pounced on the opportunity to grasp the market of these masks, converting them from mere necessity to a glamorous addition that you would want to flaunt.
Biggest fashion houses like Prada, Dior, and Louis Vuitton are getting involved in making masks a global fashion phenomenon as they start their journey by producing nonsurgical cloth face masks solely for everyone, converting their fashion production units into mask crafting facilities. Defacto has already come out with several eye-catching designs and Zara is reported to bring in some surreal collections very soon. Fendi wasted no time to capture the mask market in Asia with its anti-pollution mask.
Some lesser-known brands like Rent the Runway and Madewell are more focused on producing exclusive fashion masks for the general public. Ivanka Trump has recently been spotted wearing designer face mask by the famous accessories designer, Lele Sadoughi giving fashionistas all over the globe some major fashion goals.
We have already witnessed the evolution of masks from a health solution to a fashion item in some parts of Asia due to extreme pollution and earlier SARS outbreak. Hence, business analysts have predicted that the trend is going to rise as time passes and it will survive even after the pandemic ends or a vaccine is discovered. As the demand for these designer face-masks continues to boom, many brands have decided to come up with reusable and trendy masks. Social media is opulent with stylish and elegant masks from various big names in the fashion industry. From bedazzled ones to sequin to silk and embroidered ones, we have witnessed some extraordinary creativity presenting the designers’ wondrous artistry.
Many brands are now coming up with innovative ideas to keep up with the competition. Givenchy has gone a step ahead with their cap and mask combo, providing complete protection. The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) has won the internet, coming up with an eco-friendly solution utilizing ocean waste to make chic face masks.
People with fashion in their blood have now taken the reigns in their hand with smart DIY projects. Many are seen flaunting their three-layered, colourful, and attractive face masks on social media. Different materials like silk, velvet, cotton are introduced in those DIYs according to the taste and comfort of the makers reflecting their persona. Sprinkle your flavour to create your very own work of art. Look for ideas and take the assistance of many DIY mask projects available online. Just make sure to follow all the guidelines and instructions to make one, if you’re interested to try.
Our lives have altered in the blink of an eye presenting new and more difficult challenges ahead.
There is one thing that we can lighten up about. The masks no longer have to symbolise disease-ridden doomed humanity straight out of a terrifying sci-fi film, thanks to fashion. This could also prevent panic-buying of the face mask which left our frontline heroes with severe shortage, as these masks differentiate greatly from the heavy-duty face masks and respirators. Stay safe and overcome the pandemic in vogue.
