Make your mask a style statement.
Luxury meets protective wear, as an Indian businessman wears a face mask made of gold. Fabulous, right? Shankar Kurhade purchased a $4,000 bespoke gold face mask that weighs 60 grams or two ounces to ward off the threats of Covid-19.
“It is a thin mask and has tiny pores that are helping me to breathe,” says the 49-year-old to AFP. “I am not sure if it will be effective to protect me from a coronavirus infection but I am taking other precautions.”
Shankar admits that he loves adorning himself with gold, and this mask that looks straight out from a Lady Gaga music video is taking his love for bling to the next level.
Just like in India, the Philippines has made wearing face masks mandatory in public places to control the spread of the coronavirus. With this, the local fashion industry quickly produced face masks in an array of designs to support their business, thus making them the ultimate fashion statement of the moment.
If you can’t rock or afford a golden mask, you may want to check out these locally-made haute couture-worthy face masks that provide safety and a little extra style, just to satisfy your hunger for great fashion.
LAVA MASK
Known for his ethereal creations for Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, designer Mak Tumang is reimagining his iconic red dress into a face mask. Made of neocrepe, cotton lining, and non-woven filter, the Lava mask, just like the gown, is inspired by Mayon Volcano. Beaded, it comes in four designs, from fiery red to metallic ash fit for a Daragang Magayon.
0977 821 1110 | Instagram: @maktumang
RETASO MONSTER MASK
Much like in its collections “Mama, I feel quaint,” fashion brand Ha.mu brings beauty in madness and incorporates it in its custom Retaso Monster mask. Looking like a psychedelic ghoul in Studio Ghibli art, this quirky, maximalist face mask is washable. It comes with a funny tongue to scare Covid-19 away.
basicmovement.ph | Instagram: @ha.mu
MASK OF THE PHILIPPINES
Putting local materials front and center, designer Jor-el Espina incorporates Philippine-made textiles in his Mask of the Philippines line. The collection features masks made of local fabrics from all over the country like yakan, pis syabit, piña, and panubok, to name a few. Each mask is detailed with handembroidery and beading.
Instagram: @jorel.espina
GEISHA MASK
Memoirs of a Geisha, a movie adapted from the novel by Arthur Golden, holds unlimited fashion inspiration, thanks to the work of costume designer Colleen Atwood. Designer Rhett Eala reinterpreted the beauty of the geisha with his face mask he calls “Memoirs of Chiyo San.” The mask presents images of the Japanese muse in blue and black hues, a nod to the lead’s eye color.
rhetteala.ph | Instagram: @rhetteala
COTTON TOILE DU JOUY MASK
Designer Debbie Co stayed true to her aesthetic for her Cotton Toile du Jouy mask. Think of soft florals, muted pastels, and delicate femininity, the mask perfectly fits the royal era of the infamous Marie Antoinette.
shop.atelierdebbieco.com | Instagram: @atelierdebbieco
NEW SKINZ
Diving into the safari is designer Jaz Cerezo with her line of face masks for men. New Skinz features animal prints jacquard, from amphibians’ scale to striking fauna patterns in dark tones, with Swiss cotton lining.
Instagram: @jazskinz