Surgical-mask chic: a hipster's guide
'Viral fashion' normally refers to an obscure trend that affords those in the know a chance to be snotty about the mainstream. And catwalk innovators and style luminaries have been all over the surgical mask like, well, a rash, for ages.
London-based designer Dr. Noki (real name JJ Hudson) has been wearing a face mask in public for over a decade now. "My mother detests it," he admits, "but it's an arresting image. It may not be attractive, but it's my own form of branding." Vogue calls both Hudson and his designs "apocalyptic"; in fact, it's fairly hard to tell him apart from his catwalk models, because he makes them all wear surgical masks too. "My favourite is a Spiderman one," he reveals, "customised from an old T-shirt."
Dr.Noki Spring/Summer 2008
Forget Michael Jackson - in Japan, where fear of pollution and hayfever have long driven mask sales, you can buy leopard print and even delicate lace masks. At this month's Japan Fashion Week, Mint Designs sent models out in masks moulded to the contours of their faces and covered in thorn prints. In Tokyo, it's impossible to tell the hipsters from the hypo-chondriacs, and where other countries have fresh-faced Pop Idols, the Japanese have the TV starlet Mask Idol, aka Anna Nakagawa, who is known for the incredible beauty of the upper two-thirds of her face.
So, ladies, though we might be doomed by a pandemic, don't let the side down; when wearing your mask, aim for inviting eyes glinting above a hidden, but luscious, pair of lips. Set them off with smoky eye make-up - just remember to use a tinted moisturiser, lest others mistake your interesting pallor for wan sickliness...
Mint Designs RTW 2009
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More on Swine Flu Style...
The Moment (NYT Fashion Blog) Did an Effing Awesome Slide show of Runway mask styles
Mexican's decorate Masks in an effort to make some light of the situation
And Again..
The Swine Flu Mask Gallery
[FP]
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