Let’s Not Mask The Issue

This article is part of our Fall 2020 print issue. See the full, digital version of the issue here.

Models Jane Fishleigh, Taneen Davari, Kayla Morales-Thomason photographed by Gabby Dunlevy.

It’s about time we say the p-word. Yes, that’s right: pandemic. Americans have greeted each other through face masks since March, and most of the shock value has since subsided. Those weekly staff meetings have gone remote, and social outings are planned with safety restrictions in mind.

For the fashion industry, this has significantly transformed the production, presentation and popularity of garments. In the initial months of the pandemic, shipping slowed out of concern for safe handling. Fashion week was canceled before becoming a partially digital affair with limited seating. Consumers have started to dress for video meetings, and many discovered that remote interactions give way to stylish loungewear.

We’ve adjusted for the time being. For the most part, it seems to be working. The key word being “seems.” People walk around in masks but rip them off once they’re alone. The fabric covering their faces is tolerated but not celebrated, and it’s time to acknowledge this.

The tension surrounding masks comes in the form of two issues: 1) the failure to get on one accord and 2) the fatigue of living through a pandemic. Though people are acting in accordance with the guidelines, it’s an isolating sensation to smile at strangers just to realize they can’t tell. It’s disorienting to greet someone just to ask if they can repeat themselves because the mask muffled their voice. This is all to say that while masks serve as a strong preventative measure against the spread of COVID-19, it’s time to peel back the layers of how they are changing our personal lives and especially the fashion world.

A mask may cover half of someone’s face, but it can speak volumes about what they stand for. The act of wearing one suggests concern for personal well-being and the safety of others. In other countries, masks are worn for common cold prevention, so the mask mandate has not been such a shock. Everyday Americans, however, tend not to walk around in medical masks, resulting in this new accessory being met with resistance.

The initial discomfort with this shift in everyday practices, including mask-wearing, has resulted in viral videos of customers protesting the mandate, people demanding restaurants to open at full capacity, and large organizations choosing to hold events regardless. After months of this counter-mask movement, people have begun to realize that masks are required. Whether it has come out of being personally impacted by the virus or realizing the severity of the virus through media platforms, masks are becoming less of a joke.

What a mask says about someone can extend even further than their regard for health precautions. As people protest the systemic racism that lays at the core of this country, a mask becomes a way to incite conversation and show support for certain issues. Expressions such as “Black Lives Matter” can be painted across a mask and allow the wearer to advocate for the movement. Masks that advocate for people to vote can be effective in motivating others to choose proactivity over complacency. Ultimately, masks give consumers yet another way to express themselves and their views.

We spoke with fashion designer and business owner Daniela Tabois, a highly skilled designer who developed her passion for fashion in her early teens before pursuing a formal education in design. She then gained professional experience within the industry and went on to establish her own brand, which is now evolving because of the mask-wearing time we live in.

Tabois’ brand, offering both masks and formalwear, is one to take note of. With mask designs that exude glamour, timeless elegance and confidence, it’s hard to resist the urge to purchase them all. We sat down with Tabois to find out more about her role as a designer and how her business is adapting to recent changes.

Your clothing designs are stunning. What motivated you to create a line of masks as well?

Tabois: It started when I saw an opportunity for brides who were planning to move forward with their weddings. There was a need for a special bridal face mask to match their wedding gown and for bridal activities. Later, I slowly grew my mask collection for women who were attending formal events.

It’s every designer's goal to create a bride’s dream dress, but what is it like to design their dream mask?

Tabois: It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that I was able to provide a special face mask to help brides proceed with their wedding. I think love does not wait for anything, even if we are in the middle of a pandemic. It’s about a union between two people who love each other, and if there’s a will, there’s a way to do it while protecting you and others around you.

What advice would you give to aspiring designers and, more specifically, aspiring designers of color?

Tabois: First, I think aspiring designers should be open to doing a lot of things in the beginning to figure out what works for them. This is your learning stage, where you will make mistakes. Second, there’s always an opportunity when things go wrong. It’s about looking at the situation and seeing how you can turn it into a positive. Third, don’t get caught up doing one kind of thing. Branch out a little because you may get discovered for this idea that’s an addition to your brand.

The pandemic undoubtedly transformed everyday life, and the only way to move forward is to acknowledge this shift and adapt to it. Until it’s safe to have maskless outfits again, we must recognize how we can better our world amidst unprecedented challenges. Designers are getting involved in slowing the spread of the virus while also refining their skills and adapting their brands. Everyday consumers are redefining the role of fashion in their daily lives as they wear masks for safety and for political, social and economic advocacy.

We’re realizing now, more than ever, that the rules of fashion were made years ago by people who could not foresee the changing landscape of today. In no way should a pandemic be celebrated, but never fail to overlook the positive change that can come out of its chaos.