The Transformation Of The Mask
It has been over a year since the world has gone into lockdown due to COVID back in March of 2020, and if there is one thing that reminds us that we are still living in the midsts of a pandemic, it is the masks. Masks continue to be a constant reminder to everyone that COVID is still spreading. No one in their wildest dreams would have thought we would be wearing a mask everywhere we went; adding it to our checklist of items we need when making those essential runs. Now in March of 2021 masks have become more than just a necessity, they are an accessory.
After a few months of wearing masks, the realization hit that they would be around for a while. Having the right mask has turned just as important as having the right bag or shoes; debatably even more so, given that it covers so much of your face. Face masks are now seen as part of your style, and making sure you have one that expresses you and the fashion statement you are trying to make, and the way you want to be perceived is now something that crosses peoples minds.
Masks can even be seen on red carpets and runways, as New York Fashion Week made face masks some of their defining pieces on the runway this year. Celebrities have also been seen wearing masks as part of their red carpet looks for award shows, using them to make a big fashion statement, and to add to their night’s outfit. High fashion companies have even started making masks and selling them in stores as well, creating a market for “High-end masks”.
Some concerns have come out of the concept of making masks into a fashion statement, prompting one to ask the question, should society be making fashion statements out of something that is associated with such loss and tragedy? In a vogue fashion piece, fashion news editors discuss this idea, with most of them on the side of being able to use mask to show creativity and have the masks be able to to serve the dual purpose of function as well as fashion. A good point was brought up, as they are not the first functional thing that we have turned into fashion (ex. sunglasses).
Looking ahead, the transformation of the mask will most definitely evolve even more, as it has only been a year since we started using them. It will certainly be interesting to watch the different masks trends come and go as both fashion and seasons will change along with it.
