Whatever new fashion trends people thought 2020 would bring, the face mask probably wasn’t one of them, but, thanks to that frankly irritating COVID-19, the garment has swiftly plunged us headfirst into the worlds those dystopian films we’d previously thought of as fantasy warned us about.
Of course, both the commercial and sports sectors have stood up and taken notice. The Nation Basketball Association - whose 2019/20 season is currently on hold due to the pandemic - is donating all proceeds of its licensed face masks to the charities Feeding America and Second Harvest in Canada.
"We do believe that there will be a commercial opportunity around face coverings as we anticipate this becoming a staple in everyone's wardrobe," said Lisa Piken Koper, senior vice president of merchandising partnerships with the NBA, "We will continue to sell them on NBAStore.com and WNBAStore.com with the charitable component through 2020 and re-evaluate any changes to the program next year.”
Disney (‘Remember, there’s profit to be made!’) have already been producing face masks with members of their unparalleled roster of licensed characters adorned on them. Nicely, the entertainment goliath has also vowed to donate up to $1 million of the profit from its masks to Medshare, a humanitarian organization that provides medical equipment and supplies communities across the globe.
Sportswear giants have rolled out their own respective lines. Well, if you’re going to help stop the spread of disease, best do it in style!
Puma
Puma provides a two-pack with an RRP of £9.00. This triple-layered fabric mask is washable, reusable and has adjustable elastic to fit every face. It features the PUMA cat and stronger together motif. A portion of the proceeds from this sale will contribute to PUMA’s pledge of €100,000 to the U.N. Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization.
Nike
By far the best name for a product of its type: here we have the ‘Nike Strike Snood’. ‘Snood’ of course doesn’t scream ‘summer’ as we head into June but Nike reassures us that their soft fleece, which covers the face and neck, ‘wicks sweat to help you stay warm and dry’, and mesh over the mouth creates breathability and lets sound escape.
Available in small/ medium and large/ extra large, the Nike Strike Snood snugly locks over the ears securely. £16.95 and it’s yours.
adidas
The trip-stripes have wheeled out this subtle but striking number, with three for £12.95, in either black or white. Made with soft, breathable fabric - the majority recycled polyester - the adidas Face Cover is ‘comfortable, washable and reusable’ for practicing healthy habits every day.
While they themselves confirm that the product is not a medically graded mask nor a Personal Protective Equipment but it can help prevent the spread of viruses and germs through droplet transmission. Furthermore, continuing the good-will theme, £2 from every pack of face covers sold goes to Save The Children’s Global Coronavirus Response Fund.
