Mask mayhem

DANIELLE Bernstein, the founder and face of blog WeWoreWhat, is getting slammed online for allegedly copying a mask design featuring a chain. Influential fashion blog Diet Prada claims Bernstein asked for samples of the linen masks with a metal chain made by By Second Wind, which has a patent pending. Diet Prada wrote: “Bernstein solicited masks from Latina-owned company, then knocked them off . . . she appears to have lifted it directly from @bysecondwind . . . On June 29, Danielle reached out to the brand via DM and hustled some free masks.” Now, WeWoreWhat has launched its own line of masks “and they’re nearly identical.” But, after criticism of Bernstein posting photos of herself sans mask, Diet Prada wrote: “After her carefree summer gallivanting around the Hamptons, Danielle is finally wearing a mask.” Bernstein responded: “I designed and ordered these masks over two months ago, before I knew what By Second Wind was . . . the chain and construction are completely different.” By Second Wind founder Karen Perez said, “I was really excited she liked our masks, I started it two weeks after the pandemic. I literally put my blood sweat and tears into it . . . she reached out to me to support me, why didn’t she tell me she was working on the same thing? She used the same kind of chain and the same fabric, and colors as me, that really upset me. When I saw her masks I was heartbroken . . . I am fed up, for me — as a woman and a minority . . . I have to stand up for myself. She’s a phony, she stands up for minorities, but she’s ripping us off, thinking we only have a tiny voice.”