The Era of Masks

Brazen Eyes looking out unabashed out on the world boldened by the anonymity of their facial features covered, visions of masks adorned during the Carnevale di Venezia or alluring looks of the face covering in the middle east.

No I am not talking merely about covid-19 mandatory precaution only but it also the freedom to attire into partial or full obscurity when going on your day to day routine, how does it feel do not feel self-conscious about the way you look and to be able to observe the world with a distinctly different perspective.

Gucci foreseen this era with their manifesto in 2019 adorning their clothes with the logo “The mask as a cut between visible and invisible” , this statement can never be more relevant.

While I used to take extra care in how I look prior this new alien decree making sure my make-up and clothes is on point after the initial period where my grooming dropped to being basic and struggling to know who I am now with this strange mask forced on me to save me from this deadly invisible virus and hefty fines.

As humans we are adaptive creatures, we went from being fearfully masking ourselves to adorning ourselves with the most flattering and comfortable masks and turning our heads determinately to making the most of this masquerade ball.

Now the selfies dotting all social media is brimming with colorful masks and staying safe slogans, peoples caught up with it…

Ridiculous campaigns designed by house brands with branded masks and even jewelry brands with diamond embellished masks to catch up with this bizarre trend.

Is this a sign that we are enjoying this distorted form of freedom?

Invisible yet visible?

Seeing yet obscuringly feeling unseen?

Will this have any future implications on our well-being and self-image?

Only time will tell, in the meantime I will relish being the well-dressed yet anonymous Haleema enjoying the freedom of having my favorite black 3D mask cloaking my features to feeling safe from the world’s scrutinizing eyes.