Mask-haves

Yakan and Tausug of the south, local colors and textured fabrics of the Philippines shaped and framed a mask wearable in the new normal.

The coronavirus pandemic heavily impacted the creative industries in the short- and long-term. Under the extended and modified enhanced community quarantines, local couturiers and artisans rose to the occasion by fashioning personalized and made-to-order protective gear. From the

Inabel and Binakol of the north, Yakan and Tausug of the south, local colors and textured fabrics of the Philippines shaped and framed a mask wearable in the new normal. From single-layered to double-layered, hand-painted and handwoven, these medical and non-medical mask creations are both

Wear Peach

The atelier known for respectful collaborations and creative cultivation,

wearpeach.ph specializes in outerwear and aims to create garments that provide maximum functionality without sacrificing aesthetic. Even in hardship, people deserve beauty in textured protective wear which the brand labels as “functional aesthetics.” From plain to printed, embroidered to beaded, its snug-fit waterproof masks with filter pockets are washable and breathable.

Rhett Eala

In keeping themselves and others safe and protected, Rustan’s’ former in-house designer and Collezione creative director Rhett Eala came up with embroidered fabric and hand-painted logos on his signature masks. The sophisticated and nature-inspired collection is available online

(rhetteala.ph) in five-piece and six-piece sets or can be purchased separately in his shop at Powerplant Mall. These masks are made from assorted fabrics and limited quantities with patterns and prints such as the willow and Harlow five-piece set beach mask and the flora and fauna Alexis six-piece mask.

Charina Sarte

Season after season, her collections celebrate women, uniting them from different corners of the world. Designed in Paris and made in the Philippines in partnership with the Manila Protective Gear Sewing Club using signature fabrics, the masks are made of 100-percent washable soft cotton that is reusable and breathable, with flexible elastic bands that stretch to fit. The non-medical grade masks for everyday use can only be shipped in the Philippines at charinasarte.com. The brand employs an all-women staff of skilled seamstresses promoting local talent.

Jor-El Espina

The Iloilo designer celebrating his 15th year in the fashion industry introduced an embroidered maskarong Tagalog —a washable face mask made of barong in

piña/jusi fabric, layered with cloth lining and designed in a sinuous, snug fit such as the new colors of Mindanao, Yakan and Tausug mask made of Pis syabit textile from Sulu. Wear it with pride and manifest freedom of expression with the limited edition “Butlak” (Sunrise). With a sun motif in patriotic colors of the Philippine flag, Butlak maskarong Tagalog conveys the messages of hope, freedom and a new dawn, artfully done and embroidered in the same traditional fabric.

Viña Romero

For a limited time and quantity, Basic Movement marketplace (basicmovement. ph) is featuring non-medical grade and The masks are made with flaps should you choose to add another layer as extra filter. reusable face masks by brands and designers tested using a lighter test. Embedded with subtle integration of femininity and masculinity and defined by an assortment of well-tailored designs, Viña Romero created pieces that can be easily dressed up and down and suited for all ages and physique. The pleated (set of four) and non-pleated (set of three) washable and water-resistant reusable face mask are made from leftover materials of designer studios. Practical and functional, they contain filter pockets and feature ear savers design straps to prolong mask wear.

Style Ana

Whether you’re running errands or visiting a salon, Style Ana (styleanashop.

com) has a collection of masks that helps you stay fashionable but safe. Made from 100-percent beautifully handwoven Inabel and Binakol, materials, these masks are crafted with passion, creativity and patience by the local artisans in Ilocos. A great and inexpensive way to protect yourself, masks are three-ply, washable and comes with a pliable tissue compartment.

Mark Bumgarner

His latest catalogue, “The Armor Project,” was unveiled in response to the pandemic. This, he said, is the brand’s initiative in showing resilience and adapting to the New Formal. Part of the collection is a sustainable and washable mask design. The non-medical grade mask with a replaceable tissue pocket from the used fabrics of previous collections is made with four layers of fabrication available online at (mark-bumgarner.com).

Sassa Jimenez

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising cum laude graduate and former Miss Sixty intern is another female designer who joined the roster of young designers making face masks. Each piece is slightly different because they are lovingly made in a “work-from-home” setup. The reversible and washable masks are made with a soft cotton weave at the printed side and of synthetic microfiber for extra protection at the backside. The masks are made with flaps should you choose to add another layer as extra filter. Disinfected and packed before shipment, these masks are non-medical grade and fits all sizes with limited stocks on each color and print

(sassajimenez.com). Ten percent of the earnings from masks and sale items will be donated to the Save The Children organization that provides health services and access to quality education.

Anika Martinez

Transcending trends in its simplicity, the proudly Filipino brand called Anika (wearanika.com) was born in February 2016. Her stand for style, substance and slow fashion in the new normal is Wrap for

Keeps — a mask that doubles as a water bottle strap. The essential wrap designed with a balance of form and function is versatile enough to be on current wardrobe rotation, made of cotton linen (outer layer), polyester peach skin (middle layer) and crepe de Chine polyester filter sleeve (inner layer) that can be handwashed and hanged afterward. Take cover in seven styles to suit every mood.

Vania Romoff

Inspired by feminine strength that channels romance in her collection, the womenswear designer from Manila is approaching her 10th year in the industry. Part of her “Essentials Collection” are reusable cloth face masks made from silk and jacquard fabric, available online at

(vaniaromoff.ph) in trio and duo sets. The non-medical grade face coverings are made with standard folds to expand easily for more coverage. An added slit that allows you to insert surgical masks in between for additional protection is a balance between understated luxury and thoughtful whimsy.

feminine- and masculine-safe.

Snug-fit waterproof masks with filter pockets from Wear Peach (above).

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF RESPECTIVE DESIGNER’S WEBSITES FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM (From topmost photo, downward): Viña Romero’s masks contain filter pockets and feature straps designed as ear savers to prolong mask wear. Celebs like Sabina Gonzales, Ariella Arida, Tweetie de Leon Gonzales and makeup artist Lala Flores wear Rhett Eala’s masks made from embroidered fabric and hand-painted logos.Yakan and Tausug weaves are made into functional masks by Iloilo-based designer Jor-El Espina. The straps of Anika Martinez’s Wrap for Keeps facemasks can also be used on water bottles.

(From photo above, clockwise): Mark Bumgarner’s non-medical grade mask are part of his latest catalogue, “The Armor Project.” Vania Romoff’s polka-dot masks are made from silk and jacquard fabric. The reversible and washable masks with flaps by Sassa Jimenez are lovingly made in a “work-from-home” setup.