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Editor's Note: Mari Rodríguez Ichaso has been a contributor to Vanidades magazine for more than two decades. Fashion, travel, gastronomy, art, architecture and entertainment specialist. Film producer. CNN Spanish Style Columnist.
(CNN Spanish) - The other day I put on Instagram a photo of my daughter with a pink mask that fit her face very well. Soon, two friends wrote to me, asking me where I had bought it! Even one of them commented that it was "very cute" and "a beautiful pink tone".
What a most unexpected thing! And in just a few minutes, checking social networks and the Internet, I "skipped" ads and sales sites of all kinds of masks and face protection. A very curious consumer "competition" and probably the beginning of a new "fashionable" accessory.
On the Internet there are all kinds of masks or face masks: those that imitate the faces of cats or dogs, those that are made of fabric stamped with dollar bills or those printed with paintings by famous painters such as Van Gogh or Frida Kahlo. Some very “elegant” velvet or brocade fabric in gold and silver, and many with phrases that allude to the pandemic or with solidarity words of encouragement and hope. Superinteresting messages that we will carry on our faces to protect ourselves and others.
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Other protections are plastic visors with a hat or cap that, I confess, I immediately bought myself, but they have the defect that they tarnish with the breath. This also occurs with masks, which, in people with deviated nasal septums (as in my case), hinder natural breathing. A problem.
All this led me to reflect on what the future will be. In many countries, these masks will be mandatory for long months, and covering our mouth, nose and part of the face is an action that curiously reminds us of the controversial use of the veil and the burqa as part of the tradition in Muslim countries. Before criticized and banned in some places, raising national security issues, now we will cover ourselves for survival.
For millions of Muslim women (from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates) wearing masks and veils is everyday. And, in many cases, they use them with great creativity and definitely as a fashion accessory.
When I am in London, for example, where many Muslim women with different styles are seen, I am fascinated by the Kuwaitis, dressed in rigorous black, with their elegant veils and long “abayas”. Once, I asked a very tall (I'm a daring) woman who was shopping in a store, what kind of fabric was her outfit. Very kindly, and with enthusiasm, he replied that it was "of a pure silk chiffon." Instantly, I realized that, although her look was 100% different from mine, she was an exact woman to me, who loved fashion and had been happy to have been questioned by a curious foreigner. I soon noticed that under his robe he wore brand moccasins, as did his bag or purse. Two apparently different women, but united by fashion.
In Indonesia, women wear "kebaya", similar to "abaya", and cover their face and hair with different styles of "hijabs". A culture and a religious custom that are now more interesting than ever.
To survive, ironically, we will have to wear these masks, or hats with plastic visors, for long months, covering our faces. It will be long months, until a vaccine is discovered, in which we will have to see, in the midst of the unfortunate situation, which mask or mouthpiece offers better protection, which one we like more and is more comfortable. We will carry it, of necessity, but with bearing.
It is even more curious to notice that the clothes that are advertised and sold on the Internet promote wide dresses, long and loose tunics, and "baby doll" models, in a way it seems to complement the "total look" with the mask that we wear.
Yes, you have to admit it and admit it, looking your best is still psychologically very important to all of us. It is part of the balance and helps to cope with the situation. It is a very necessary and positive gesture of self-love, in the midst of this tragic crisis that affects us and hits us so deeply.
The time will come when we remember these moments as a day to day, which made us stronger and taught us to appreciate our lives.
face masks