I’m taking a break from my NYFW Series. Five more to come.
Scene: The mask. A necessary accessory that has become a way to express ourselves. I’ve noticed over the years Asians visiting the city wearing masks which is attributed to protection; from environmental harms, air pollutants, allergens, and the sun. The modern surgical mask with multiple layers of gauze dates to the late 1800s. At the beginning of the pandemic, face coverings were a health and safety precaution and still are, but as people settled into the reality, all sorts of different styles have emerged. Function and style. We all know wearing a mask is essential during this pandemic. Protecting others and ourselves when interacting. It’s not a simple cultural proposition. And, of course, the face mask is political. As the country moves toward reopening, masks are assuredly part of our future.
Wearing masks is a sartorial sign that we are willing to give up some freedom and comfort for the common good. And exhibits our individuality with different patterns, colors, materials, and styles we choose. There are masks for every taste and budget. They include bandannas, balaclava, scarves, and shields. It’s no small thing that fashion has gotten hold of masks. The designers, artists, and sewists have taken liberty in smoothing edges and heightening the look and fit. The face mask has become a symbol of our times, our armour. Stay safe xox
Scene: Helen Oppenheim, Hair Guru, wearing a Rita Starnella mask who made and sold her masks to fund creating them for hospital workers and nursing homes.
Scene: Daoud, Manager and Maître d’Hôtel of La Goulue Restaurant at 29 East 61st Street in Manhattan.
Scene: Shamba.
Scene: Semvje.
Scene: Daniel Giel, Music & Movement, offering Pilates, A.I.M., C.R.M., and Acrobatic sessions.
Scene: Sherri Jessee wearing one of her many exciting mask creations.
Scene: Atlas, the bronze statue, in Rockefeller Center, within the International Building’s courtyard, on Fifth Avenue.
Scene: Fortitude, the marble sculptor, with it’s twin, Patience, guard the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, sporting masks to encourage New Yorkers to continue to follow safety measures.
Scene: Man wearing surgical mask as G-string walks past a woman, as the spread of the coronavirus continued, on Oxford Street in London, July 24, 2020. Reuters/Simon Dawson
Scene: Surreal sculpture of face masks kissing, Still in One Piece III, by Hong Kong-based artist, Johnson Tsang, known for his astounding ability to manipulate clay into exquisite porcelain sculptures. Tsang calls attention to the transformation in how people interact during COVID-19. The gesture is touching. It’s a reminder that even with the need for separation, we can still enjoy moments of closeness. My Modern Met/Jessica Stewart