Top 5 Luxury Face Masks to Make COVID-19 a Bit More Tolerable

With the imposition of the new Toronto by-law imposed on July 7th, wearing a mask or face covering will be mandatory in indoor public spaces. That means that the majority of business owners will have some form of a mask policy and only children under 2 or those with an underlying medical condition will be exempt for wearing a mask. If caught breaching the bylaw, there is a set fine of $1000. To avoid the hefty penalty, here are some of the top 5 luxury face mask brands I've selected due to their price point, quality and luxurious style.

1. Peace Collective

Peace Collective is a Toronto based company, you may have heard of them in 2014, when the founder, Yanal, wore a “Toronto vs. Everybody” t-shirt to a Raptors game. Their goal is to focus on the bigger picture and for every item purchased, the business provides 5 meals to a child in need. Having now shifted to creating masks, the materials include 100% cotton fabric and includes a filter sheet to facilitate safe breathing. They start at $30 CAD for a 2 pack and come in a variety of colours and local designs.

2. Dust of Gods

Dust of Gods is a Canadian based brand by Antonio Tadrissi that makes some truly original, sustainable pieces that have gained international and celebrity attention. His iconic pieces have been photographed on celebrities such as Steve Aoki, Alesso and Offset to name a few. Recently, he has launched a limited quantity line of bandanas, masks and dust masks. The standard masks are $35 USD, the bandanas are $55 USD and the dust masks retail for $299 USD. If you're looking for something uniquely one-of-a-kind, I highly suggest checking them out - once they're gone, they're gone.

3. Noir X Apparel

If you’re looking for a mask that will set you apart from the crowd, Noir X Apparel has definitely got you. Made from 100% vegan leather and utilizing a special heat treatment, their masks create realistic looking snake scales. Each piece of custom fabric is hand selected to give each person their own unique pattern and it even comes with a luxury carrying case. These masks are currently onn sale at $38 USD, down from $89.95 USD, and are limited edition.

4. Harry Rosen

If you’re looking for something a little more work-friendly, Harry Rosen has taken their signature dress shirts and repurposed them into face masks. Made from fine Italian cotton and featuring 4-layers of protective construction, these masks are designed with style in mind. The masks are fabricated in Toronto and to date, they have donated over 2,200 masks to local hospitals in need. The masks are available online only and come in a pack of 2 for $50 CAD.

5. Off-White

I'm not kidding when I say this particular mask has caused absolute fashion chaos. Recently, the brand had to pull the masks from their site due to controversy over excessively high resale prices due to a 496% increase in mask searches featuring the iconic Off-White "X" logo.

If you’re not particular about Canadian-made and are looking to go all-out, Italian luxury fashion label, Off-White offers three styles of masks, starting at $135 CAD. The masks are made from 100% cotton and feature a double elastic for comfort and stability. If you want to snag one of the highest coveted masks of 2020, you're going to have to shop on third-party websites and don't be surprised if they're listed for insane prices.

There are many options to choose from when looking to buy a face mask. If you’re interested in checking out other Toronto based designs, some other candidates that we like include:

• Peach Berserk (silkscreen pillowcase masks)

• Sydney’s (Japanese suiting material)

• Handsome and Lace (quirky designs)

• Chronic Ink (tattoo shop designs)

I'd love to hear some of your favourite small businesses that have started making masks and I'd love to know if you've stumbled upon some crazy, unique face masks and coverings that you're obsessed with.

Stay safe my friends,

Ciara Lauren