It's Time For You to Meet your Mask
For most of the us in NY and elsewhere, June will be our 4th month coping with the novel COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’ve been self-quarantined or outside serving as an essential worker, we’ve all been withstanding the fears and uncertainties that Coronavirus came with, so if you’re reading this, I’m so happy you’re here!
NYC continues to be on PAUSE, but we’re on our way toward entering Phase 1 of reopening, which means sooner or later “Outside’ will be opening in the near future! If you’ve been headed outside in the meantime, then you know that we’re all required to wear face masks in public places and many (if not all) businesses that are open require patrons to wear a mask in order to enter. Whether you believe you should be wearing them or not is not up for discussion, we protect ourselves and others in Her neck of the woods, ok!?
Even though the quarantine has kept us indoors, some of us would like to stay cute and fashionable when outside does open, and I cant blame them. Going for a walk or the trip to the supermarket has been the highlight of my days since we’ve been keeping safe inside - can a girl flex just a little? I did some research and found some of the most fashionable and practical masks sold by a few brands that come highly recommended. When I say highly recommended, I mean Black owned.
Get into it below:
MOSHODAT
Costume Desiger, Creative Director, MUA, and Stylist extraordinaire, Moshodat Sanni has made fashion masks available courtesy of her AllThingsMoshodat online store. Some of her items come as a set paired with a blouse, headwrap and face mask included. Moshodat’s masks display vibrant, colorful prints and each one is handmade. Portions of revenue from the sales of her masks are going to persons who’ve been financially impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic. You better shop for a good cause!
KIRA NACOLE
Kira Nacole is a custom fashion designer based in New York City. Her designs are so so creative, and innovative. I especially love the way she reconstructs a basic Champion sweater into so many super cute designs. Kira has made face masks available for purchase on her website (and HELLO straw holes!). They come in various sizes and colors and can even be custom made to fit childrens’ faces. Click here to shop now! Stay tuned, more designs are on the way! (Shopaholic Merch collab coming soon?)
ELEVYN THIRTY
For my glam girls! Tiarra Monet, founder of online boutique Elevyn Thirty, an online boutique catering to women of all shapes and sizes, has made this special bedazzled face mask available for pre-order. I read in the comments of a woman looking to purchase to wear to her wedding. We all have that one friend who loves everything that glitters! This mask by Elevyn Thirty is a great choice. Masks ship June 10!
AXCEXX
Now for the fellas! Celebrity stylist Harrison Crite is the founder of the Axcexx (pronounced “access” mens accessory line. When I tell you his pieces are bomb, they’re BOMB! (There’s this one leather harness, ouuweeee!) Anyways, he’s made an entire slew of gear available on his site to protect from you from the spread of COVID 19. Items include face masks, detachable face guards, and hats with extended tabs to make sure folks keep their distance. Harrison wasn’t playing. Shop now.
MARIO & LEE
Mario & Lee is a NY based brand founded by Lionel Nichols that I’ve been following for years . When I discovered his work, he was already producing leather tote bags and bomber jackets, and he’s only gotten better and better! His designs were always innovative and original and you can tell how passionate he is about the clothes he makes. You can see the passion continues with the over 25+ face masks available on his website. They come in a variety of prints and textures and some of them come paired with the matching durag. That Lionel is working out here!
Hats off, (or should I say “masks off”) to the brands we love to support for making it possible for us to stay safe, and on trend! I absolutely admire their abilities to keep up with the state of quarantine and social distancing we’re living through right now. As all of us are on the hunt for face masks that suit us the best, the demand is especially high. They’d like to stay safe and healthy as much as you do, so shipping delays are to be expected. Nevertheless, please continue to stay safe out here in Her neck of the woods, keep those faces covered, and your head held high. Hopefully this pandemic will be over soon.
Be well,
Eve