The facekini (Chinese: 脸基尼; pinyin: liǎnjīní) is a mask designed for swimmers and beachgoers that covers the head and face, revealing only the eyes, nose, and mouth.[1][2][3] The mask is made of stretchy fabric commonly used in bathing suits,[4] and comes in different colors and patterns.[5] They are often worn in combination with various sun protective clothing, such as body suits with long sleeves, sunglasses, visors, or umbrellas.[6][7]

A woman wearing a facekini

Origins

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The facekini was invented in 2004 by Zhang Shifan, a former accountant from the coastal Chinese city of Qingdao,[8] which became the hometown of this fashion trend.[9] The people of Qingdao use the garment to protect against ultraviolet rays, as well as jellyfish, insects, and other irritants at the beach.[1][10][11]

Fashion trend

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The facekini garnered increased attention from Western press in 2012, when creator Zhang Shifan began developing high-fashion masks.[12]

Fashion magazine CR Fashion Book published several sets of photos in 2014 with models wearing facekinis paired with designer Alexander Wang and Michael Kors swimwear and jewelry.[13]

In 2019, its creator launched new models that cover the whole body, not just the face and neck.[14][15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Ye, Tianzhou (21 August 2012). "Facekini craze hits China beach". NBC News. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  2. ^ Farrier, John (22 August 2012). "Fashion trend: The face-kini". Neatorama. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  3. ^ "The facekini: China's new beach trend". The Sun Daily. Retrieved 24 August 2012.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Chittley, Jordan (21 August 2012). "Facekini: The newest beachgoing craze at Chinese beach". Yahoo news, Canada. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  5. ^ Wilkinson, Isabel (21 August 2012). "Here's the face-kini, summer's new trend". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  6. ^ Newcomb, Tim (21 August 2012). "The Face-Kini: The Bizarre Art of Covering Up". Time Newsfeed. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Face-kini, Face Mask Bathing Suit, Is Popular On Chinese Beach". Huffington Post US. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  8. ^ "China's famous 'face-kini' gets Peking Opera-inspired facelift". Reuters. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  9. ^ Kim, Monica; Campri, Luca (31 August 2017). "Meet the Facekini—China's Best Beauty Accessory for the Skin-Savvy Beachgoer". Vogue. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  10. ^ Festa, Jessica (24 August 2012). "China's popular beach trend: The Facekini". Gadling. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  11. ^ Levin, Dan (3 August 2012). "Beach Essentials in China: Flip-Flops, a Towel and a Ski Mask". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  12. ^ "A Brief History of the Chinese Facekini". RADII - Culture, Innovation, and Life in today's China. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  13. ^ Kirkpatrick, Nick (29 August 2014). "The 'facekini': From the beaches of China to pages of a fashion magazine". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Facekini is back, this time even more bizarre". chinaplus.cri.cn. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  15. ^ "New facekini designs hit the beaches of Qingdao". shanghaiist. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
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