PPB January 2021

The Most Important Accessory Of Them All communities and institutions have conducted their own campaigns. Cook County in Chicago went the social media route with its Mask Up Cook County initiative, conducted through September 2020 and targeting residents ages 20 to 29—those with the highest rate of spread in the area—with digital ads across Instagram, YouTube and Spotify in English and Spanish. In June 2020, the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation invited statewide K-12 students to submit their design ideas for masks for the chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. In late September 2020, Twitter took to endorsing mask-wearing, using billboards to display pro-mask-wearing tweets shared by users, such as “if you dont wear a mask im gunna assume ur breathe stinks” [sic] and “People who wear a mask are considered more attractive remember that” [sic]. Twitter also updated its logo to feature the blue bird wearing a face mask, and changed its location to “everywhere, wearing a mask.” We can look for several new trends in face masks this year, according to Stylecaster , like embellished face masks, featuring sparkly accents and texture; eco-friendly, sustainable, disposable face masks; unique chains for face masks, from chunky to dainty and everything in between; and breathable, athletic face masks. Also very sought after are hyper- customized and unique face masks. Etsy, an online marketplace for artists and makers, has become a go-to source for one-of-a-kind masks, and sold 29 million masks worth $346 million during the second quarter of 2020, according to CNN. From allover ombre mermaid prints to dainty floral designs, neon tie-dye, plaid, animals and caricatures, and seasonal and holiday prints, to extra-silly face masks with cartoonish grins and masks that give the illusion of a face, there’s no parameters to the recall that face masks can offer brands and the usage, safety and personality they can bring to end users’ day-to-day getup year round. The Gaiter Fleece Hood is a great companion for end users participating in outdoor activities, like sports leagues or cleanup crews; to offer as a gift-with-purchase to event ticket-holders; or to offer in an employee or team store. Made from a blend of 55-percent cotton and 45-percent polyester fleece, the sweatshirt features a soft- hand, unisex style with a double-ply built-in neck gaiter, keeping wearers warm and offering them a way to practice safer measures in public. Additional details include cover-stitching throughout, a set-on pouch pocket and a tearaway label. Available in XS-3XL in five colors, shown in true navy heather (left) and cool royal heather (right). J. America / PPAI 351699, S1 / www.jamericablanks.com Communicate a bold and eye-catching message with the Polyester Mask CPCR035 . This non-medical three-ply face mask contains a polyester outer layer and two cotton jersey inner layers for added protection. Soft and breathable, and great for an everyday grab-and-go mask, it’s also washable and reusable, and has stretchable ear loops with adjustable slides for a custom fit. Crown/IMAGEN BRANDS / PPAI 113430, S10 / www.imagenbrands.com | JANUARY 2021 | 21 INNOVATE