Put your face on

TOKYO, JAPAN

Shuhei Okawara has taken face masks to the next level by creating these hyper-realistic, 3D-printed designs. While they’re not medically approved, these masks will reach a niche market when they go on sale this year. They are set to sell for 98,000 yen (almost £700) each in Okawara’s Tokyo store Kamenya Omote.

Inspired by fantasy stories, Okawara used advanced 3D-printing technology to create the masks from models’ photos. When he launched the project last year, more than 100 applicants sent him headshots, expressing their interest in modelling for the masks. He plans to expand the range of faces after the initial launch, so there will be a choice of which mask to wear.

We are yet to learn more about the engineering behind this specific project, but Okawara is working closely with an unnamed printing engineer and claims that they’ll be able to create up to 100 identical masks a month.