In one way or another, wearing masks is going to become part of our daily routine. With the Egyptian government, and most countries around the world, making masks obligatory, almost every household has a couple of boxes of masks ready for going out. It is highly unlikely that this rule would be lifted soon and many researchers are saying masks are going to be necessary until life is stable again.
Of course, the doctor’s mask, N95 mask, and others alike are one thing, but if we are going to be spending the rest of the year using masks every single day, then we might as well find ways to enjoy it. With that in mind and looking at the long term, masks have found their way into the fashion industry in various, special and authentic ways.
Designers For A Cause
Because we are all buying masks, supply runs out. While the country is working to produce massive amounts on a regular day to day basis, it still may not be enough considering the paper masks are only usable once. Hence, in the past few months, we’ve seen rising designers and various causes focused on producing masks too.
Reem Adl’s Instagram
A costume designer, Reem El Adl is one of those examples. She’s dedicated her time to creating disposable face masks, which according to CairoScene, are for free. Adl was inspired by designers from abroad, and in due time, she eventually received fabric donations and is continuing her mission to make reusable cloth masks in different colors.
Similarly, Cairo-based fashion designer Lamia Rady is doing a similar project. She told Arab News “I saw other international brands creating masks for hospitals in their area. So I grabbed my machine and I started sewing. I’m quarantined at home so I make them myself.” She explained that the cotton masks are reusable with an adjustable nose-piece, and will be distributed around hospitals, and other medical places in Egypt, for extra protection over their N95 masks.
Another designer, who is much loved and admired in Egypt, the Middle East (and globally too), is Farida Temraza. From very early on, Temraz initiated her black-colored, washable masks for Egyptian police across the country. Eventually, this was available for sale for customers to purchase too. The list of designers in Egypt, and around the world, who dedicated their machines, artistic effort and time to make all kinds of masks are in no way restricted to this list.
Beauty Behind Art & Giving Back To The Community
Photo from AFP/ Ahram Online
The names of famous designers that we know and love are not the only ones getting creative with their sewing machines. Ahram Online recently published an article titled “Women in Egypt’s Sinai sew colourful Bedouin designs on masks to combat coronavirus”. Long story short, a group of women in El-Arish are sewing the most beautiful, intricate designs on masks.
Many of the designers behind the masks have been sewing from a young age. And with these masks, they want to be able to showcase their Bedouin heritage all while protecting their community. Ahram Online explained that the Bedouin arts include tatriz, beads, geometric shapes, and abstract designs.
These smaller, local projects are just as important as the work of larger organizations. However, it is interesting to note that several garments factories decided to contribute by creating masks too. The Egypt Foundation for Integrated Development- El Nidaa shifted its production of clothes to water-repellent surgical masks. El-Nidda explained that these masks comply with the standards set by the Ministry of Health.
After joining forces with UNDP and Neya’s Online platform, the online campaign called ‘kemama’ began. Both individual people and businesses can donate to support the operation of the factory. If you want to help the contribute to the society, individuals and businesses can donate by visiting this website.
Sometimes, We Can Be Designers Too
While making our own face masks from supplies and fabric we have at home is not advisable because there is no guaranteed protection. However, you could wear your own DIY masks on top of medical masks.
Hence, a lot of DIY websites recommend t-shirt fabric and large headbands. Generally large headbands, if they fit right, can go right over the medical mask and stay put. With t-shirt fabric, you’d need to cut out 25 x 15 cm roughly. You’d also need about 15 cm of rubber bands, hair ties or a stretchy cloth for the earpieces. It’d be best to do this over a sewing machine, but it can be done by hand too with a needle and thread.
However, DIY masks are not sufficient for protection. Hence, they cannot be worn alone. But you can definitely make use of them on top of a medical mask (especially if you want particular colors and patterns).
Luxury Brands & Haute Couture
Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Armani and whatever other luxury, haute couture brand out there, did not especially make luxury-type masks. Most of the international, luxury brands worked on providing for those in need of masks on the frontlines. However, as the New York Times wrote, “capitalist opportunities often emerge from times of trauma. That doesn’t make the origin stories any less uncomfortable.”
Spanish Flu
Researchers and medical authorities are emphasizing that we may need to continue wearing masks for the rest of the year until a vaccine is developed. Meaning, masks are a fact of daily life. “But does that mean they should also become, like a coat and sunglasses, an individual fashion statement? Or are they, rather, a sign of something else: solidarity, and the social contract?”
COVID-19 is an international crisis and knows no boundaries, gender, or class. If masks ever make their way into fashion, the symbol they stand for may turn into something else. It no longer represents safety, solidarity and unity. Instead, it is a brand or a trend.
Food for thought; it’s okay to get crafty with masks for personal satisfaction. But they aren’t a ‘fashion statement’ or a ‘trend’.
