What comes to mind when you hear the word designer? Lavish lifestyles, splendor, and all things nice? If so, you’re not entirely wrong. However, you may have a slightly outdated view of what designer really means.

As we’ve moved into our modern era, eco-friendliness has arisen as a top priority among most societies. As a result, sustainability has become the order of the day, and designers have adapted to suit. Just look at leading designer Stella McCartney with her impressive eco-friendly accolades of cruelty-free and sustainable packaging alongside recycled textiles.

However, now that we’re facing down the barrel of Covid-19 and the millions, if not billions, of masks it’s thrown into circulation – the environmentally-friendly roots of the designer industry are really starting to show.

Are designermasks inherently sustainable?

As it transpires, the answer to supplying enough masks wasn’t to simply make more; it was to make better masks. Research has shown that around 7,200 tons of medical waste was produced every day throughout the pandemic, much of it disposable masks. These masks found their way into greenhouse gas emitting landfills, oceans, and onto the streets.

As environmentalists scratched their heads over the solution, designer mask producers already knew the answer. In fact, it lay within the very materials they dedicate their careers to. As a rule, designer products tend to be made from more robust, durable, and all-around high-quality materials. As a result, they’re usually passed from generation to generation, recycled at thrift stores, or sold. But, above all – they last.

The sustainable designer mask movement

So when mask shortages arose, designers such as Christian Siriano pivoted from their haute couture familiarity towards the world of designer masks. His designs were minimalist, chic, with most of his masks carrying the words “Logo” or ‘Slogan.” Naturally, there was some doubt as to whether the final designer products would meet safety standards. But, in the end, the designer masks won out. Not only were they passingly safe, but they were also something that was sorely needed during an uncertain time – reliable. You knew they wouldn’t break or snap when you were out and about. Once home, you could wash and reuse them without fearing their material would degrade or tear.

Making designer facemasks accessible for all

Many expected such long-lasting, high-fashion, and unique masks would come with a price tag to match. Fortunately, these expectations were not met. In fact, the price range of designer masks ranged anywhere from $20 to $1,000 plus. Everyone could have their pick of a life-long mask. Better still, a once-off payment was considered more favorable than regularly purchasing low-quality masks that were liable to break. These new face mask additions to the scene were versatile, ranging from gas-mask mimics to metallic cool. Some people even sported contemporary memes or their favourite slogans across their facemasks.

The future of face masks is bright

Going into the future, the popularity of designer facemasks is expected to skyrocket.  Whether it be designer face masks for men, women, or children – the supply is suspected to increase as masks become more ingrained in our day-to-day wear.

How you can get in on the trend

Purchasing your first designer mask is easier than you think! And you may be happy to hear you can do it from the comfort of your own home. Check out our guide to ordering designer face masks online here to get you started on your haute couture facemask journey.