Protection in style: Chinese designer makes silk coronavirus masks
Fashion Designer Zhou Li wearing her designed silk face mask poses for pictures, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
Adorned with intricate designs of orchids, camellias and Chinese characters symbolising good luck, the stylish silk masks created by Chinese fashion designer Zhou Li have become coveted items during the coronavirus outbreak.
Zhou, whose Dejin fashion brand recently exhibited at China Fashion Week, has been making embroidered silk masks equipped with high specification N95 air filters since February, providing the fashion-conscious with protective options.
Workers wearing face masks make silk face masks designed by Zhou Li, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
"When the situation turned very serious, we saw that many people needed to change their masks every four hours," said Zhou, explaining how she came up with the idea for the reusable masks made from colourful Chinese silk.
Now, as China and other countries lift restrictions, Zhou expects masks will be a necessity for the foreseeable future. She has adapted hers for summer, making them with a thinner silk that allows for better breathability in warmer weather.
The 55-year-old, who is director of design at Shandong Sunbird Garment company, enjoys adding traditional Chinese motifs to her work.
Designer Zhou Li spreads out PPE cloth used for making her designed protective suits, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
A yellow mask displayed at a workshop in Beijing's art district is decorated with golden orchids, representing a harmonious family with abundant wealth and many children.
Zhou is also designing personal protective suits, many also featuring flowers, after her friends asked for stylish outer wear to use during air travel.
The company can make around 600 masks a day, and sells them online at 118 yuan ($16) a piece. Zhou plans to market them by inviting influencers to participate in live-streaming on e-commerce platforms, and hopes to expand sales in England and Italy.
Workers wearing face masks make silk face masks and protective suits designed by Zhou Li, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
"I hope people can wear my masks that protect them, make them look beautiful, bring them good luck and keep them safe," she said.
(Reporting by Tingshu Wang, Irene Wang and Carlos Garcia, Editing by Karishma Singh and Lincoln Feast.)
Workers wearing face masks make silk face masks designed by Zhou Li, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu WangProtective suits with printed patterns designed by Zhou Li are seen displayed at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu WangA worker wearing a face mask draw patterns on a piece of silk cloth for making face masks designed by Zhou Li, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu WangA worker wearing a face mask sews PPE cloth to make a protective suit designed by Zhou Li, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu WangA worker uses a sewing machine to embroider Chinese characters "Ji Xiang", symbolising good luck, on a piece of silk cloth for making a face mask designed by Zhou Li, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu WangA worker wearing a face mask embroiders a flower pattern on a silk cloth for making a face mask designed by Zhou Li, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu WangDesigner Zhou Li and Ni Zan'er in protective suits and silk face masks designed by Zhou, pose for pictures at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu WangA piece of melt-blown fabric is seen sewed with silk cloth for making a face mask that is designed by Zhou Li, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu WangA worker cuts patterns off a silk cloth for making face masks designed by Zhou Li, at a studio in Beijing, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China May 17, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
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