The Integration of Masks into Fashion

Oct 21

Oct 21 The Integration of Masks into Fashion

Fashion is always adapting and changing, and recently it has incorporated a major change: the face mask. Although face masks were already being used as preventive health measures due to pollution and contamination in other countries, the pandemic has necessitated the use of face masks for practically the entire world. Living under a capitalist society, it is no surprise that masks have become a commodity as brands and designers are quick to latch onto any opportunity for profit. This, however, does not reduce the traumatic origins that have led us to the normalization of face masks.

Masks are a necessity for everybody today; however, there is a question to be asked about the line drawn between medical necessity and fashion statement. The integration of masks into society has now become a part of daily life, but does this necessarily mean that they should become a fashion statement? Should masks be used as another means of identity and self expression or should they be kept as an indication of safety and respect for others?

The moment when masks as a fashion statement become a hazard is the moment when this “trend” has crossed the line. Some specific instances of this come to mind, the most shocking being the pictures of Lana Del Rey wearing a sparkly mesh face mask while meeting fans. Not only is this dangerous and disrespectful to her fans, but it also shows how some people do treat these safety methods as merely accessories.

In difficult times like these, where social contact is limited and social distance measures make it easy to feel isolated, it is only natural for people to find new ways of self expression, especially when half of your face is hidden during any outing (except for Lana Del Rey, apparently). The mask now becomes something greater than a cloth on your face, a facet obscuring emotions and character. The natural progression, therefore, to turning masks into a personality marker makes sense. However, the commodifying of a medical necessity, which represents the isolation and suffering that is occurring at the present moment, into a product for consumers does seem to raise questions about how far capitalism is willing to go in these traumatic times.