In order to slow the spread of the coronavirus [1], many countries — including Germany, United States, Czech Republic, and Austria — are urging everyone to wear a face mask in public. And although the United Kingdom has yet to advise on universal masking, a hundred doctors wrote a letter [2] to The Times recommending that we should all be covering our faces in public — even if that means wearing a homemade face mask or simply a scarf.
Just as fashion brands are stepping up to help produce medical-grade masks and gowns for healthcare workers [3] during the pandemic, many of them are now adjusting to customer's requests for non-surgical cotton masks [4] and offering 1+1 or 5+5 match packages online. For example, Reformation offers three different options with its Millions of Masks initiative [5]: purchase five sustainably-made cotton masks for yourself, donate five masks to the healthcare system, or buy in bulk for your company.
We like to see that a lot of these labels are recycling fabrics from past collections, or using fabric scraps that could have been thrown away or used for a different purpose. Alice + Olivia's Stacey Bendet was one of the first designers to begin selling cotton masks [6] with her iconic Staceface print, and we are sure that there are more to come. If you don't want to pick up some fabric and DIY a mask of your own [7], the below options are here for your consideration, and we thank the fashion community for rising to the occasion.
— Additional reporting by Kara Kia
The Vampire's Wife Silk Face Mask
Susie Cave launched two versions of The Vampire's Wife Silk Face Mask [9] (£35) that sold out within a day — but are restocking very soon. The floral masks are made of 100% silk with a ruffled edge and come with a matching silk drawstring bag. Although the masks are not medically certified, 100% of proceeds are being donated to The World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-Solidarity Response Fund.
Alice + Olivia Staceface Protective Mask
The Alice + Olivia Staceface Protective Mask [10] (£9), expected to ship at the end of April, features Stacey Bendet's iconic quirky print. With the purchase of one, A+O donates one mask to the medical community as part of its #MaskTogether initiative [11].
Helmstedt Safety Mask
Helmstedt is upcycling leftover fabric from its Spring 2020 collection to create these Safety Masks [12] (£29) in bright prints and colours. Profits from a purchase of the mask go to WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund [13].
Reformation 5X Masks
Sustainable brand Reformation launched its Millions of Masks [14] initiative, and on the site you can decide between donating masks, purchasing a pack of non-medical grade masks, or these 5 Assorted Reusable Masks [15] (£28), though they make take one-to-two weeks to ship due to high demand.
Collina Strada Face Masks
Sustainable brand Collina Strada has made the smart decision to send free excess fabric to customers with each and every purchase until the company runs out. You can follow the steps online to make the Collina Strada Face Mask [16] yourself, once you receive your package.