Be safe in style

Iconic French fashion designer Pierre Balmain said, “Good fashion is evolution, not revolution.” This means that instead of going against the current of change, designers must flow with it, constantly evolving and elevating their craft. This mindset is especially important in the now normal, wherein what people wear can be the difference between being safe and catching COVID-19.

Today’s fashion essentials are no longer just the perfect white tee or a reliable pair of sunglasses; face masks, face shields, and personal protective equipment (PPE) now also make the list. Looking for the perfect now normal essentials? Here are four designers with protective gear that will keep you safe and stylish:

Patty Ang

Patty Ang is a fashion designer known for her bespoke, sophisticated bridal and evening wear. Her designs use clean lines and classic silhouettes to create stylish and elegant statement pieces. She specializes in womenswear, and her goal for each piece is for it to transcend time and trend, making it a staple in every woman’s closet.

Patty’s PPEs are made out of carefully sourced nylon fabric. True to her minimalist and classic aesthetic, her gender-neutral PPEs come in bold, solid colors. She also creates reusable masks with filter inserts, which is a good alternative to disposable ones.

Patty’s PPE set consists of a protective coat and matching track pants

The color of Patty’s masks is a striking contrast against the colors of her PPEs

The bold colors of Patty’s PPE set

Adrian Pe

Adrian Pe is an operating room (OR) nurse who balances being both a medical frontliner and a fashion designer. His friendly and cheerful personality shines through in all of his pieces, and one great example of this are his Teletubbies and Power Rangers-inspired PPEs, which have been making rounds on social media for quite some time now.

Adrian’s PPEs come in bright, vibrant colors, and are made of waterproof fabric. What started as a small project turned into something that can give frontliners in Iloilo and other parts of the country protection and a dose of positivity. Adrian also has other designs for his PPEs, from jumpsuits and isolation gowns to embroidered jackets with matching face masks and headbands.

Medical frontliners from the Iloilo Mission Hospital in Teletubbies-inspired PPEs

Adrian’s PPEs also come in jumpsuits with matching masks and headbands

Adrian’s eye-catching embroidered PPE jacket

Jean Alta

Jean Alta is a fashion designer based in Albay, Bicol who specializes in formal wear made from ‘pinukpok,’ or abaca fiber. Pinukpok has evolved into a softer fabric over the years, but remains three times stronger than cotton or silk. With this fabric, Jean started producing masks that are stylish, washable, reusable, and environmentally-friendly.

Jean’s masks exude the same elegance that her formal wear does. They come in simple designs and colors that span from pastel to rich, solid ones. This lets the fabric shine, and draws attention to the beauty of the natural pattern.

Jean uses different colors of pinukpok fabric for her masks

Jean also tries different textures, like this beaded mask with a pinukpok base

Masks created for a Church in Albay, Jean’s hometown

Chynna Mamawal

Chynna Mamawal is a young fashion designer whose pieces evoke a sense of femininity and grace, but also have a certain ferocity to them. Chynna started doing PPEs through an initiative led by Vice President Leni Robredo, who sent her atelier a sample medical-grade PPE. This is what she uses for most of her designs.

Chynna’s PPEs span from medical-grade tracksuits to protective dresses. The designs and patterns reflect Chynna’s belief that PPEs don’t have to be boring. She uses patterned fabric, combines different textures, and adds a contemporary element to all of her creations.

Chynna’s masks put together different patterns, textures, and color combinations

Chynna’s athleisure-inspired take on PPEs – her medical-grade tracksuit set

Chynna’s PPE dresses add a touch of femininity to protection

With innovative designers like Patty, Adrian, Jean, and Chynna, fashion will undoubtedly continue to adapt to the now normal. They are only a few of the talented and dedicated fashion designers the country has, and supporting these designers not only gives Filipinos sustainable choices for masks and protective gear, but also a chance to band together as one by supporting local.

While these designers help Filipinos stay safe, we must remember that we also have to do our part in the country’s fight against COVID-19. This can be done by using now normal essentials, and using them properly. This means knowing the correct way of removing these protective gear, and washing reusable PPEs and masks after every use. Some PPEs and masks also have specific washing and drying instructions, which is why it’s always best to check with the shop it’s from for care tips.

In the long run, reusable PPEs and masks can greatly reduce the harmful environmental effects that come with using disposable masks, such as the build up of waste and putting animal lives in danger. By choosing the more sustainable option, we are helping not only local fashion designers, but the country as a whole.

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