FACE MASK FASHION WHY ANY OLD COVERING JUST WON’T DO
You thought face masks couldn’t become fashionable? Think again...
YOU can argue all day about the merits or otherwise of wearing a face mask, which will become mandatory attire on Northern Ireland’s public transport from today.
But, while the debate continues, who wants to wear just any old covering?
Remarkably, face masks have become the latest fashion statement — despite the obvious difficulty of making the item fashionable.
After all, if your face is your fortune, why cover it?
The first signs in the UK that they could be an a la mode accessory arrived during the controversial Cheltenham horse racing festival in March, when various face masks, tailored to match the other garments, were worn on Ladies’ Day just before lockdown was declared.
What came across as almost laughable then turned out to be prescient.
And now, as we tread the timid path towards normality, with shops, salons, pubs, restaurants and cafes having recently reopened for business, more and more people will wearing face masks of some description to protect others around them.
So why not have one that stands out from the socially distanced crowd?
Designers and manufacturers began producing masks in earnest during lockdown, many of whom found they had more time on their hands as a result of being furloughed.
Many are also donating a percentage of their sales to various charities — and you can visit their websites for details — but it means there are plenty of options to choose from.
For a jolt of colour, for example, there is Jennifer Rothwell (jenniferrothwell.com), Helen Steele and Niamh Mccabe (nimcake.com) who are all producing masks in vibrant prints.
Meanwhile, anyone drawn to the so-called Y2K style should take a look at the work of Donegal-based fashion student Mariusz Malon, who is selling matching mask and bucket hat sets via his Depop (depop.com/mariuszmalon).
Sportswear giants Reebok and Adidas are also selling their own branded face masks on their websites, while Nike is additionally offering a snood.
Otherwise, Nanotech face masks from Scientific Labs have a water resistant layer that prevents droplets filtrating both in and outside the mask, while Boohoo budget fashion site also has lots of options to choose from.
But, fashionable or otherwise, who has to wear one? Turns out, it is all about geography.
Face masks are currently mandatory to wear public transport in England, with some experts calling from them to be enforced in all crowded places to fight any future Covid-19 waves.
In Scotland, wearing a face covering in some shops and public spaces is recommended, while they must be worn on public transport.
It is not mandatory to wear a mask in Wales or the Republic of Ireland, but it’s recommended in situations where social distancing isn’t possible.
Northern Ireland’s Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon said that the introduction of mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport was in order to “support efforts to reduce the risk of transmission”.
This applies to most bus, train and ferry services as well as on public transport premises, such as stations.
People with relevant medical conditions and children under 13 are exempt.
A cross-departmental group has also been established to explore if, and when, this will apply to the tour coach and taxi industry.
Face masks will not be mandatory on outdoor areas of ferries, or on school transport.
Minister Mallon also said that a face covering “is a covering of any type which covers a person’s nose and mouth; it does not have to be a surgical face mask”.
But a word of caution: wearing a mask can help stop the spread of Covid-19, but cloth masks aren’t medical grade.
Social distancing and hygiene measures — not fashion — remain the first thing to follow.
❝ It is a covering of any type that covers a face and mouth — it does not have to be a surgical face mask