Coronavirus is obviously the talk on everyone’s lips recently. Sorry to bring it to the blog but it’s hard to get away from, with every corner of social media talking about it, always the headlines on the news, and now fashion corporations are getting involved. Over the past few days, I’ve seen various fashion companies release their own version of a mask, with some strictly saying they’re technically not medically safe. So, what’s the point in selling them? Are masks going to become the new fashion statement? In a world where people cannot leave their houses without being adorned by a mask, whilst others are wearing a Boohoo slogan mask for the lols.
Looking on my Snapchat earlier I came across this:
That’s Carole Baskin, who has found fame from featuring on the Netflix show, ‘Tiger King’. I just thought to myself that the creation of those masks is definitely a marketing ploy, although I could be wrong, where she’s created them from the kindness of her heart. But I’m not so sure on the latter.
A couple hours later browsing online to see what else may come up in this new creation of masks, I went on Berskha and this was immediately on their home page:
I immediately presumed they had hopped on the mask bandwagon, but no. Upon a deeper search into the website it turns out Bershka weren’t selling masks, and that the mask placed on that model was actually a styling choice. Now I just think this is weird. Masks are not a fashion statement; they’re worn to protect others and as a safety precaution. So, is the brand seeing this as a new trend in accessories? Put on your earrings as well as your mask to complete your outfit? I just find it odd how something that is essential in healthcare has been turned into a fashion statement on a clothing website.
Later in the day I was scrolling through my twitter to see Kim Kardashian had released her own masks with her clothing line ‘Skims’.
The nude tight aesthetic follows with Kim’s line, but looking further these masks are once again a fashion accessory.
"A non-medical, reusable and washable face mask that is soft, breathable and comfortable to wear. Please note, while a mask can reduce exposure to dust, allergens, germs, and bodily fluids, it is not a respirator and will not eliminate the risk of contracting disease or infection."
So, is it something to wear along with your ‘Skims’ cycling shorts? The things listed that the mask can protect you from have always been around, so by releasing them now in a time where people need to wear the masks for health reasons, makes me see it as a marketing ploy.
Also, as a side note. Why put the darker skinned model in a black mask when Kim has a mask that would match her skin tone? The other models got a mask that matched their skin colour so why not her? Profiting on non-medical masks, as well as a subtle hint of casual racism. Not a good look that, Kim.
This whole mask conversation cannot miss out Boohoo’s efforts. In their typical fashion, need to have something that looks incredible, hun. With a description like this, it looks like they’re not living in the same reality as the rest of us:
However, I've seen a lot of people talking about why patterned masks are even a thing. I know of a girl who’s a children’s nurse, and she said the kids were absolutely terrified of everyone in PPE. So, with an added personal element to the masks, it would put these poor children at ease and be more comfortable. But the key difference is they’re medical masks. Many fashion companies are creating these non-medical ones made for fashion purposes which I just don’t get. Why would I want to buy from a fast fashion company putting workers in danger all for a mask that says ‘woman’ on it?
Obviously different companies make it obvious where their motives are behind creating masks, where I’ve found smaller individual companies are making masks and donating all the money to the NHS or making them out of old scrubs so it is more ethical. This is not the same feeling I’m getting from bigger corporations. Masks most definitely are going to become part of our daily lives but for a reason, not as an accessory on the same level as a headband or a pair of earrings.
It seems like a lot of companies are cashing in on coronavirus, which just isn’t great at all.
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