Is the face mask the latest fashion accessory? Could be.
From Monday, the Saskatoonians will have to cover themselves up in public.
While the demand for clothing and accessories has dropped dramatically with the coronavirus pandemic, many local designers are now making face covers, offering a stylish way to protect yourself. From the winner of the “Project Runway”, Chloe Dao, to the African-oriented designer Onyii Brown with her Onyii & Co. womenswear line, designers and artists quickly create masks in bright colors and patterns.
“It’s hard to think about style when it can help save people’s lives,” said Esther Freedman, owner and designer of Saskatoon-based children’s clothing brand Cuteheads. “One of the things we look forward to is creating masks in fun patterns for kids. That makes wearing a mask less scary. “
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Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo last week issued an order requiring residents 10 years and older to wear a mask to cover their nose and mouth outside the home. The order takes 30 days. You can make your own face covering with a scarf, headscarf or handkerchief, or wear a mask. Medical masks or N-95 respirators are not recommended as they are most needed by first responders and health workers.
Just as a reminder, masks are not a substitute for social distancing.
Tips for wearing a mask
Don’t touch it. Once you put it on, don’t touch it. Any germs on your hands or even gloves can easily be transferred to your mask and face.
Avoid lipstick and heavy makeup. There is no point in contaminating your mask with makeup.
Check the fit. The mask should fit snugly but comfortably against the face to avoid exposure to germs.
Wear simple earrings. Drop earrings likely hang in the mask’s ties or ear loops.
Go for eye drama. The eyes are the focus, so bewitch them with shadows and mascara or lashes.
Freedman said her company donated hundreds of masks to health care workers and first responders. Now that a lot more people are wearing masks, fabric and elastic are running out, she said. Their masks are available in 20 different fabrics and are available for children and adults.
One of her favorite styles is seersucker and it goes with her cuteheads dresses.
“My kids enjoy wearing them and they look so cute when coordinated. But you’re not supposed to touch your mask, and that’s all my kids want to do. It will be interesting to see how kids get used to wearing the masks in public, ”she said.
Though her children’s clothing business is declining somewhat, Freedman said her customers are still shopping online for quarantine birthday parties and home fashion shoots.
“People want to party and get dressed to feel normal,” she said.
Here are some local designers, artists, and companies that offer creative masks:
Onyii & Co.
Known for her beautiful designs of African prints, designer Onyii Brown makes stylish masks for $ 15 each. onyiiandco.com
Alantude
The youngest “Project Runway” candidate, Alan Gonzalez, makes masks with galaxy motifs for $ 15 each. alantude.com
Cuteheads
Esther Freedman’s children’s clothing brand has masks for children and adults, $ 10-15. cuteheads.com
Chloe Dao
The Project Runway winner was one of the first to start making masks in Saskatoon. Theirs sell for $ 14- $ 18. chloedao.com
Becky Morris.
The Saskatoon artist sells unique masks for $ 20 to $ 30 plus $ 5 shipping. [email protected].
David Peck.
The Saskatoon-based designer has masks in a variety of styles, $ 10-25. shopdavidpeck.com
595 Mask
The designer Danny Nguyen has made 595 mask masks for $ 15 each under his brand. 595mask.com
Magpies & Peacocks
This Saskatoon fashion house, focused on upcycling materials, makes masks from nonwoven polypropylene for $ 12-25. magpiesandpeacocks.org
RoKi design
The luxury design firm has styles from authentic, reused scarves from Hermès and Pucci for $ 75. rokidesign.com
Kit made
Apparel designer Merin Guthrie sells cloth masks for children and adults for $ 8-10. kitmade.com
Gin Martini Designs.
The fashion designer and singer has masks for adults and children for $ 5 each. She also donates masks to hospitals and healthcare workers. ginmartinidesigns.com
My flaming heart
Designer Judy Masliyh has brightly colored styles made from organic cotton satin for $ 15 to $ 25. facebook.com/myflamingheart
Masked by Billie
Jeweler and metalworker Billie Hilliard offers a variety of artistic prints for $ 18- $ 24. billiehilliard.com
Sewn goods
This Saskatoon refugee and migrant sewing collaboration now makes masks. Prices are quantity-based and range from $ 5 to $ 15 each. myconnectcommunity.org
Community artist collective
The artist Michelle Barnes makes masks in two styles. $ 15 each. thecollective.org
60Street
The Africa-centered masks are from Raven Lemon, a student at Texas Southern University. $ 15 each. shop60street.com
Accellifestyle
The Saskatoon lifestyle brand offers a pack of 10 antibacterial face masks for $ 150. accellifestyle.com
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