TREND ALERT: Air pollution may make the air in Beijing gray, odorous, and sickening — but that doesn’t mean their fashion has to be! This week Beijing hosts China Fashion Week, and fashion designer Yin Peng’s pollution-inspired face masks are almost as hot as the ones worn by Beijing’s marathon runners.
China’s top models donned masks ranging from the traditional mouth-to-nose piece to a futuristic full-face, welding mask-like design to the always sexy and ultra-protective head-bag known as the facekini. Peng’s designs are versatile, light-weight, and (naturally) breathable. Reuters fashion correspondent reported from the runway on this season’s hottest accessory:
The models looked determined not to let the conditions of the city … get to them.
The masks varied from full-face cover, as with a fencing mask, to angular lightweight mouth-covering designs to compliment running gear
The designs also included more casual pieces — rounded masks to go with slouchy hooded designs, safety goggles for men, and futuristic full-on gas masks with bright pink mouthpieces.
So far, Grist fashion experts are mum on when mod masks will hit stateside smog/fashion hotspots like southern California and New York City. But given that every season just keeps getting hotter, it’s only a matter of time before we all get hauter, too.
