THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK

PROTECTIVE masks are about to become as much a part of a footballer’s kit as boots and shin pads – and a Chinese graphic designer who has worked with Juventus star Paulo Dybala believes sportswear companies can cash in.

Zhijun Wang began making masks six years ago in a bid to protect himself from the Beijing smog.

He has now perfected a manufacturing process that enables him to recycle old training shoes – and been commissioned by Dybala and hundreds of other environmentally aware sportsmen and women.

Wang worked with the Premier League last summer designing the sleeve badge for the Asia Tournament in Shanghai and Nanjing.

And with players now expected to wear masks around training grounds and on team benches until a vaccine for coronavirus is found, the 37-year-old believes the game’s top stars will start to want to develop their own individual look.

Wang said: “I made my first mask in 2014. I noticed the upper material of sneakers – especially running shoes – is light-weight, durable and breathable.

“In 2017, I was invited by adidas to create 10 masks for basketball player James Harden and my design fitted the unique silhouette of his face and beard.

“I have collaborated with brands like Nike, Puma and Reebok for customizing sneaker masks for promoting their products.

“The masks were seen as a fashion item, but I made sure they retained functionality.

“Every sneaker mask is handmade by myself and can take up to a week to produce.

“But if I could cooperate with the brands and produce professional masks fit for athletes and affordable for normal people, it would be great.

“I have seen some brands making masks recently, but they look rough and are without a high protective level.”

Wang shows everyone how to make masks from an old pair of training shoes with a design template on his site zhijunwang.com.