Must-have for the season: A face mask

This year redefines the concept of an it-piece. The must-have for the season is not something to make you look better. It’s something that protects other people. We can’t wait to return to our pre-corona life. But even when we get back to our daily routines step by step we need to stick with some precautions for a while. Wearing a face mask is one of them. Because wearing is caring.

In most places masks are still in short supply, right now. And it’s not the fashion industry that helps us out here but individual initiative and local businesses. Like Teixits Vicens in Pollença. They have been busy sewing masks for health care and utilities lately, but now offer a choice of colorful masks in their online store. Or Ana Siles from Torre del Amor atelier who is manufacturing masks at home and is giving them away for free to her neighbors. As of late you can also find a nice choice of fabric face masks at Casa Julià, Botons and SASU.

If you have a sewing machine, you can easily design face masks yourself. The web is full of sewing patterns and video tutorials. And leftover fabrics or old shirts can make fancy upcycled pieces. Sure, cloth masks don’t meet the requirements for medical workers and they do not protect effectively those who wear them. But nonetheless they help to protect others in cases when we cannot keep the recommended distance. Like in public transport or at the super market. “I wear that mask for you”, social fashion label Armedangels prints on their face masks. That’s exactly what it is about.

So face masks are a matter of solidarity with those who are working to keep society running. And in sad times they can also bring some color in our everyday life. Fabric masks don’t have the hospital look and can even underline your personality. Plus they are more sustainable. Whereas you throw away a paper mask at the end of the day you just wash and wear your cloth mask.

If you start your own collection of face masks or if you know people who manufacture and sell them on Mallorca, please let me know. I’m happy to share the information. Because if wearing is caring, this holds true for designing, sewing and distributing all the more.