Would YOU spend £425 on a face covering? FEMAIL reveals some of the most luxurious designer masks on the market - from royal favourite couturist Fiona Clare to Givenchy

by · Mail Online
  • Duchess of Cornwall spotted today in £38 face mask by couturist Fiona Clare
  • Many fashion houses and brands have brought out range of face coverings 
  • Some masks cost over £100 while Givenchy has a mask and cap combo for £425 

With face coverings becoming a bigger part of our daily lives around the world amid the coronavirus pandemic, fashion houses are cashing in by churning out ranges of designer masks.

Today the Duchess of Cornwall was spotted in a chic Liberty London silk face mask crafted by London-based couturist Fiona Clare as she visited the National Gallery in central London.

Camilla's covering, which featured a striking peacock print, was reportedly a birthday gift from a friend when she turned 73 earlier this month.

The accessory cost £38 - more expensive than a regular high street mask, but modest compared to those offered by the likes of Givenchy, Candice Cuoco and Off-White.

Today the Duchess of Cornwall was spotted in a chic Liberty London silk face mask by London-based couturist Fiona Clare as she visited the National Gallery in central London

Givenchy's covering, currently sold out on Ssense, does come with a nylon-canvas blend cap which it clips onto via a press-stud fastening - which goes some way to justify its £425 price tag.

Meanwhile Jeune Otte has adapted vintage silk Hermes scarves into masks which are on sale for around £75. Here FEMAIL takes a look at some of the most luxurious designer face masks on the market.

Givenchy Black Logo Mask Cap - £425

The most expensive of the lot, this Givenchy face covering is detachable from the nylon-blend canvas cap, which features tonal grained leather on the trim of the brim, via a press-stud fastening. The Givenchy logo is printed in blue on both the cap and the mask, while the covering features a cotton jersey lining and perforated detailing, meaning it's probably not the best option to actually protect you from Covid-19. It's currently sold at Ssense and Farfetch, but it's possible to be notified when the product is back in stock if you visit the Givenchy website direct

Candice Cuoco Floral-print leather face covering - £180

This floral-print leather face covering by American fashion designer Candice Cuoco is on sale at Selfridges for £180 and is the most expensive of the range. Its outer layer is crafted from 100 per cent lamb skin, while the interior is lined with polyester satin

Collina Strada Scribble Braid Face Mask - £154.85 

This unusual and elaborate cotton face mask by Collina Strada, a brand created by New York designer Hillary Taymour, features bows and braided hair extensions with flower charms and Swarovski details. The lining allows for filters to be put inside. The mask is a collaboration between Hillary Taymour, Charlie Engman, and Tomihiro Kono, who is using scrap hair in his studio to make the one of a kind masks

Isaac Sellam Experience mesh layered face mask - £140

This black Isaac Sellam Experience mesh layered face mask is on sale at Farfetch. It features elasticated straps and is crafted from black leather and linen lining

Begg and Co Wispy Painted Camo Face Covering - £95

Made in Scotland from 100 per cent cashmere, Begg & Co's Wispy Printed Camo has been adapted into a luxurious washable printed face mask. The ultra lightweight, breathable face covering is machine washable at 40 degrees and on sale for £95

Mostly Heard Rarely Seen cheetah print face mask - £94

This £94 cheetah print offering from Mostly Heard Rarely Seen claims to be ergonomically designed to fit the contours of the face and secures comfortably around the ears with toggle-ended elasticated straps

Faliero Sarti floral print face mask - £80

This floral covering from Italian brand Faliero Sarti, which specialises in stoles, scarves and foulards, is fashioned from stretch cotton and features a knife-pleat design and elasticated straps

Jeune Otte Vintage Hermès Silk Scarf Face Mask - £73.50

These individual masks are handmade in Chicago from vintage Hermès Della Cavalleria print silk scarves. For each Jeune Otte mask sold, the brand is donating 10 per cent of proceeds to organisations serving at-risk communities during the COVID-19 crisis

Off-White Arrows face mask - £70

Off-White has produced a range of face coverings since the pandemic outbreak, and its Arrow printed face mask, available in a range of colours, has proved popular among men and women

Sarah Chofakian face mask - £66

These off-white face masks from Sarah Chofakian, a Brazilian designer who typically creates handmade leather shoes and accessories for women, feature leather panels, elasticated straps and a gold logo plaque

Slip Reusable Leopard Face Covering - £39

Slipping into the more affordable ranges, this £39 Slip reusable leopard face covering promises to be comfy, as it's outer layer is crafted from pure mulberry silk. Inside, the mask is lined with breathable cotton and to ensure the perfect fit, the elasticated ear loops and nose wire are fully adjustable to fit the unique contours of your face

Fiona Clare handmade face mask - £38 

If you were inspired by Camilla Parker Bowles' mask game today, you can order your own Fiona Clare creation crafted from Liberty London fabric by messaging them on Instagram. A £32 donation from each mask will go to the Literacy Trust and My Dear New Friend, a new movement, created by Alice Irwin, that encourages children and adults to use the power of letter writing to build new friendships and help members of the community support each other at this difficult time and beyond

The Vampire's Wife Silk Heidi Face Mask - £35  

  

Hot luxury label of the moment The Vampire's Wife, recently worn by Kate Middleton and Princess Beatrice, released two versions of the Vampire's Wife Silk Face Mask, with the stylish face-covering on sale for £35. However the mask sold out in just a day, as conscious fashionistas rushed to snap up the 100 per cent silk covering

Christopher Kane More Joy face mask - £30

Scottish fashion designer Christopher Kane has brought out a stylish face mask, embossed with the slogan 'More Joy', which offers more protection against Covid-19 than most. Its fabric has been treated with VIRO FORMULA ™ providing effective protection from viruses and bacteria: H1N1, H5N1, H7N9, Coronavirus (229E) and RSV. Tests show antiviral protection is maintained even after 30 washes at a mild temperature

Wolford Lace Mask - £29.95

Tights brand Wolford has also jumped on the face covering band wagon, releasing a mask crafted from lightweight silk with a printed, floral lace design. This chic mask also features adjustable, elasticated ear loops to fit the mask to your face shape and an aluminium nose wire to ensure a close fit around the nose and cheeks. It's also reversible with a plain black reverse, so you get two styles in one, and is completed with the Wolford logo in silver on the right cheek

What do the new laws on face masks say? 

People are required to wear a face covering in shopping centres, banks, takeaway outlets, sandwich shops and supermarkets under new regulations which came into force in England on July 24. 

The Government brought new laws into force which will see people who flout the rules get slapped with a fine. Here, we take a look at the new legislation.

- What has changed?

New laws called The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place) (England) Regulations 2020 have been published and were brought into force last week.

- What does the law say?

No-one can go enter certain buildings like shops without a face covering - which covers your face and nose - unless they have a reasonable excuse.

Face coverings must be worn in: shops and shopping centres; banks; building societies; credit unions; short-term loan providers; savings clubs and currency exchange offices; anywhere that transmits money by cash or cheque; post offices. 

A reasonable excuse includes: where a person cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of physical or mental illness, impairment or disability; when accompanying someone who relies on lip reading; to avoid or escape harm or injury to themselves or others; in order to eat and drink or take medication.

- Are there any exemptions?

Yes. The rules do not apply to children under the age of 11, employees working in the business in question or public transport staff, police officers, other emergency workers and officials. 

Premises which are exempt include: restaurants with table service and bars, including those in hotels or members' clubs; pubs; libraries; law firms; medical and dental practices; vets; cinemas; theatres; museums and galleries; aquariums, indoor zoos or visitor farms, or other indoor tourist, heritage or cultural sites; nightclubs; bingo halls; concert halls, public halls; conference centres; indoor fitness studios; gyms; leisure centres; indoor swimming pools; water parks; bowling alleys; funfairs; theme parks; amusement arcades; indoor soft play areas; indoor sports arenas; casinos; hotels; spas; beauty salons and hairdressers; tattoo and piercing parlours; storage centres; funeral directors; photography studios and auction houses.

- What happens if I break the rules?

You can be told to put on a face covering or leave the premises by police or transport officers. Police officers can escort someone from a building for refusing to follow the rules and can use reasonable force if necessary. You could be fined £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days, or even prosecuted.

- How long will the rules be in force?

The rules must be reviewed by the Government within six months of the law being brought into force, which is January 24 2021. Ultimately the law expires after a year unless the Government scraps it beforehand.