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Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga sport blinging face masks – but from Swarovski crystals to diamonds, pearls and pure gold, are these even Covid-19-proof?

Designer masks are today’s must-have accessory. Photos: @imngo/Instagram, @ThePuneMirror/Twitter, @imngo/Instagram, Screen capture/SCMP

Back in the deep mists of time in, say, 2019, wearing a mask was unusual. In 2020? You’re not properly dressed without one. As Covid-19 has made face coverings part of our everyday attire, people are getting increasingly creative on what masks they choose to wear.

From diamond studded masks to pearl embellished designer coverings, here are the most glamorous and crazy expensive masks we’ve seen from around the world.

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A bejewelled diamond mask in India

A jewellery store in Surat, in the Western Indian state of Gujarat, grabbed the media’s attention when it introduced a jewelled mask decorated with diamonds and cubic zirconia. Inspired by a customer searching for masks for a soon to be married couple, the extravagant mask is now a popular buy with wedding guests.

In a BBC interview, the seller Dipak Chokski explained that they are keeping to government guidelines about what the masks should be made from: “They are N95 masks and washable, too.” Available in a range of different colours and fully customisable, you can coordinate your mask to match your stylish outfit, Chokski added. And if you will only wear the mask once, the jewels can be taken out and turned into other jewellery pieces.

Or a mask made out of pure gold?

Shankar Kurade, a businessman in Pune, India, added glam to his mask by making it from pure gold. Weighing 60 grams and taking eight days to make, the gold mask came about after he saw a man wearing a silver mask on the news. Kurade loves gold and he doesn’t leave the house without wearing some glistening jewellery. Kurade explained to Asian News International that “It’s a thin mask … so that there’s no difficulty in breathing,” but he did say himself that he is unsure if the mask will protect him from the virus.

With a price tag of around US$4,000, the gold mask is definitely giving Shankar a chance to shine in the media spotlight.

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Japan’s pearl ornamented mask

As everyone is wearing masks in Tokyo, a local jewellery designer put her 35 years of experience in accessory crafting into making masks. Using real akoya pearls, Rieko Kawanishi takes three days to sew 310 real pearls onto a mask, using different sizes to create patterns. As its so intricate, it’s no surprise that the mask costs 1 million yen (US$9,350). Rieko wanted to make a fun and elegant mask and recommends wearing her mask with a medical grade mask underneath.

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Swarovski crystal masks

 

Michael Ngo, who designs for pop stars like J.Lo and Ariana Grande, is now dolling up masks for a good cause.

 

From US$110 vinyl masks to US$500 Swarovski embedded masks in rainbows for the Pride edition, his ideas are endless. Not only do they look great, but Michael is donating 100 per cent of net-proceeds to @lafoodbank (he raised US$29,500 by May) or Black-led LGBTQ+ organisations, depending on the mask.

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Fashion

Thanks to the coronavirus, the face mask is definitely 2020’s most important accessory, but don’t be basic: be like Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga and embellish