WHO CREATED THE PLAGUE DOCTOR LICENSE
Masks for Plagueĭoctor Schnabel von Rom,’ (Nuremberg: Paulus Fürst, 1656), engraving, 30.1 x 21.6cm, British Museum, 1876,0510.512 © The Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license Masks might be ‘new’ accessories in the wardrobes of this generation, but they have a long history. Wearing – or not wearing – a mask is a political, medical, and ethical act, but it can also be a fashion statement. Cloth masks with bright prints, beaded ties and even ruffled edges have become big business, and, you can turn to Vogue to discover the most stylish (and expensive) options on the market. Single use non-biodegradable masks are filling landfills by the billion, and the medical industry is asking us to reserve the highest quality of N-95 masks for healthcare professionals. Designers have capitalised on the opportunity to brand and monetise the public health crisis, while those of us with sewing skills have started cottage industry production lines to provide them for friends and family. Choice of materials and maker has become important as consumers are chastised for their mask selection. As countries mandate their use in public spaces to combat the spread of Covid-19, many of us have started to wear masks for the first time, and they have become an essential part of one’s outfit. But it has been sartorially remarkable for the almost-overnight success of one formerly niche accessory: the mask.
2020 is unlikely to be recorded in the history books as a particularly fashionable year, as many of us have turned to neck-up ‘zoom-ready’ looks, elasticated waistbands, and slippers for comfort.
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