Proceeds of the face masks sales will go to selected Philippine charities
On the other side of the world, this time of the year calls for a closet shift. It is where fun, colorful spring pieces take the back seat, and knits and outwears in autumnal tones become the staples.
But as time goes by, the rules of styling change. That goes even here in the Philippines. Florals during summer, deep hues for when the monsoons shift are so overused, even Miranda Priestly is demanding for a change.
Breaking the style routine, NYC-based Filipino fashion designer Robin Tomas brings joy in this pandemic-stricken world with his line of face masks, all in happy prints.
“I wanted to be able to be creative and be able to help during this unprecedented time,” he says. “I wanted to give people a chance to still be stylish and expressive with the newest accessory piece born out of the pandemic—the face mask.”
With most of the facial features covered now, it is important for many fashion savants to make their face mask a statement piece, something that will reflect their personality. Through Robin’s brand Facelit, people in NYC and Manila can now take their stylish protective wearables game to another level with his reusable and washable face masks that come in an array of prints, from gingham and seersucker to camouflage, paisley, and tropical prints.
“As a designer with a background in fine arts and graphic design, I have been known to offer unique prints within my collections,” Robin tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “There is no exception for the face masks, which are generally happy, as I aim to lift people’s mood during these not too uplifting times.”
Apart from giving mood-boosting face masks, Facelit also aims to help out Filipinos and New Yorkers. “I enlist the talents of our kababayans back home, which is another reason for launching the line. To be able to give them work by hand creating the masks,” he quips. “I get my materials in NYC, helping NYC fabric suppliers and stores by purchasing goods from them, so everyone benefits.”
Proceeds from the face masks sales will go to Philippine charities, one of which is Kawa Pilipinas. Currently, Robin is developing Christmas-themed face masks just in time for the holiday season.
The masks are currently sold at AC360 boutique at the 2nd floor of Greenbelt 5 in Makati City. The brand also offers contactless delivery within Metro Manila. Contact [email protected] for orders. Styles are available for viewing via its USA online store at facelit.myshopify.com and on its Instagram @facelitnyc.