As face coverings have been increasingly mandated around the world to reduce the transmission  of  coronavirus , masks made of cotton and other washable materials have become big sellers, and an emerging fashion item.

Britain and France announced this week that they will require masks in public indoor spaces.

That could help France's textile and luxury goods companies unload a surplus of masks that numbered 20 million in June.

In addition, at least 25 U.S. states are requiring masks in many indoor situations. Oregon on Wednesday even began requiring masks outdoors if people can't stay 6 feet (2 meters) apart.

In a sign that masks are becoming a fashion trend, Vogue magazine recently listed 100 "aesthetically pleasing" selections.

The fashion magazine's recommendations include a mask with beaded accents from Susan Alexandra. The cost: $70. Masks made from vintage quilt tops, by Farewell Frances, go for $25.

After U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi began wearing masks that matched her outfits, people watching her on news channels noticed they had a Donna Lewis label on them. The boutique in Alexandria, Virginia, became besieged by purchase orders and soon ran out of the labels, which customers demanded.

The boutique now has a huge backlog of orders, co-owner Chris Lewis said.

"I'm shipping them all over the world now," Lewis said. "Orders are so furious, I can't keep up."

Perhaps showing some fashion sense, when President Donald Trump wore a mask publicly for the first time Saturday, he chose a navy-blue one that bore the presidential seal and matched the color of his suit.

Thanks to mask sales, Etsy, the online crafts marketplace, has seen revenue jump. In April alone, Etsy sold 12 million masks, generating $133 million in sales.

"If face masks were a stand-alone category, it would have been the second biggest category on Etsy in the month of April," CEO Josh Silverman said.

Second-quarter revenue, to be announced in August, will likely show mask sales are red hot.

Black masks are in highest demand, followed by white and floral patterns, Etsy spokeswoman Lily Cohen said.

"We are seeing lots of unique variations on masks, including personalization with names and monograms ... styles with animal faces or lips," she said.

Also available are masks saying, "Black lives matter" with an image of a raised fist. Some businesses have told employees they can't wear them, sparking debate about appropriate workplace attire and the desire to show solidarity with the fight against racism.

In Paris, a firefighter wore a face covering with the colors of the French flag before marching in the Bastille Day parade celebrating the national holiday this week along the Champs Elysees. Others at a protest across town wore yellow masks, representing the yellow vest movement against economic injustice that began in late 2018.

Workers at restaurants and other businesses are wearing masks with corporate logos. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown wears one showing the state flag.

In Colombia, dozens of fashion companies have pivoted to producing masks, including ones with colorful images of toucans, jaguars and other tropical designs that normally go on expensive swimsuits. South Africans often sport masks made of colorful African fabrics.

But for many consumers, plain white will do.

When Uniqlo, a major Japanese clothing retailer, put its white "cool and dry" masks with breathable fabric on sale in June, shoppers lined up at stores and crashed its website. Supplies sold out in hours.

Choosing  perfect sunglasses is not an easy task. Before choosing any sunglasses we need to think about eye protection from the sun radiation, skin tanning and aging.

The easiest way to protect our eyes from the sun's hazardous radiation is to wear sunglasses, not only in the summer months, but year-round.

Ultraviolet (UV) light can damage the iris, retina, lens, and cornea, leading to permanent vision loss. It's a good idea to request UV protection (an invisible coating) on all of your prescription glasses.

UV light has three wavelengths:

UVA is long, looks almost blue in the visible spectrum, and is responsible for skin tanning and aging. It may also contribute to skin cancer risk.

UVB is shorter and more energetic, and it's linked to sunburn and skin cancer. A large portion of UVB light is absorbed by the atmosphere's ozone layer.

UVC is short. It is completely absorbed by the ozone layer.

Sunglasses are labeled according to guidelines for UV protection established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). There are three categories:

Cosmetic: These lightly tinted lenses are good for daily wear. They block 70% of UVB rays, 20% of UVA, and 60% of visible light.

General purpose: These medium to dark lenses are fine for most outdoor recreation. They block 95% of UVB, 60% of UVA, and 60% to 90% of visible light. Most sunglasses fall into this category.

Special purpose:  These are extremely dark lenses with UV blockers, recommended for places with very bright conditions, such as beaches and ski slopes. They block 99% of UVB, 60% of UVA, and 97% of visible light.

Just because a lens is expensive or appears darker doesn't mean that its ability to block out UV radiation is any greater than that of a cheaper or lighter lens. Look for the ANSI label. Even inexpensive sunglasses can be protective.

There is some evidence that blue light from the sun may contribute to the development of age-related macular degeneration. Lenses with a red, amber, or orange tint may provide better protection against this light. You may find less distortion, however, with gray or green lenses.

If you aren't sure what kind of sunglasses to buy or think you may be at high risk for eye disease, ask an eye care professional for a recommendation.

Source:  Harvard Health Blog

Prominent American jeweler Maria Tash says that piercings have changed much in recent years and predicts that multiple ear piercings is going to be everywhere. 

Everywhere from catwalks to billboards and adorning even the most conservative faces, piercings are now becoming the smallest must-have fashion accessory.

Tash became a jewellery tycoon, with concessions worldwide and has a large Instagram following. Her first eponymous store was opened in New York's East Village in 1993.

The intricate, fine jewellery can be seen punctuating the ears of celebrities from Beyoncé to Margot Robbie, reports Independent.co.uk.

Differing from most mainstream piercing salons, customers can wear most of the pieces immediately, without having to spend months waiting for holes to heal around sterile surgical steel bars.

Tash said “there are no rules anymore in piercing.”

“All the high fashion brands now allow the models to wear their own earrings and piercings. Ear piercing has become quite liberated,” she added.

Getting into piercing in late teens, Tash would pierce the ears of all her friends in their bedrooms. She puts the recent boom in multiple ear piercings down to the wider range of jewellery now available. 

“People just don’t get something because they like it. They think that’s really beautiful, where can I put that?'

However, the quality of the jewellery matters in piercing now, said Tash.

On the other hand, people sometimes consider metal colour and how it complements their skin tone, there’s the diameter of rings, fitting things in a way that’s close but not too tight is important, said Tash.

Tash believes one style in particular will become increasingly popular which is ‘high lobe,’ a stud placed directly above one’s first or second lobe piercing, or even high-up between the two.

After the month-long fasting of Ramadan, Eid-al-Fitr, the largest ceremony of Muslims brings us immense joy and happiness. And whenever we think about celebrating Eid the desire of shopping for family-members appears into our mind. The ecstasy of Eid remains incomplete without the tradition of buying gifts for our dear ones. However, due to the on-going grievous situation of the COVID19 pandemic, it would be risky to visit shopping malls physically. Are you being deprived of Eid-shopping this year? Wait! You can shop online! Read this article to know where you can do online Eid shopping in BD for men, women, and children.

Famous Fashion Houses for Online Eid Shopping in BD

Aarong

If you are a fan of comfortable outfits maintaining the elegant sense of fashion, go for Aarong!  Since their establishment in 1978, Aarong has acquired its position as the leading lifestyle retailer of the country.  Operating under BRAC, Aarong has been developed as a renowned platform for selling handicrafts, clothing, jewelry, home decorative products, lifestyle products, Ceramic, and many more items. To carry on Eid-shopping for Men’s wear, Women’s wear, Kid’s wear, and Footwear, Aarong can be your top choice. Website: https://www.aarong.com/

Cats Eye

Cats Eye has won millions of hearts in Bangladesh for their trendy designs of men’s wear. Found in 1980, this leading fashion house of Bangladesh launched a unique trend in men’s fashion. Here you can find both formal and casual men’s wear including, Shirts, Pants, Jeans, Panjabi, Sherwani, etc. What is more? Cats Eye offers a versatile collection of accessories, like Ties, Cufflinks, Wallets, Bags, men’s Shoes, Belts, Caps, sunglasses, Lapel Pin, Scarf, etc. Besides pioneering in man's clothing and accessories, Cats Eye is offering fashionable outfits for Women. Website: https://catseye.com.bd/

Kay Kraft

Focusing on handloom-based handcrafted fashion-wear; Kaykraft kicked off their expedition in the fashion world in 1993. Starting as a home-based fashion boutique, Kay Kraft has become one of the prominent fashion houses in Bangladesh. Merging traditional handloom skills with trendy fashion sense, Kay Kraft apparels come with a versatile combination of design, color, techniques, and ornamentation like satin stitch, screenprint, eerie, applique, block print, zardousi, sequin-work, knot stitch, tie and dye, cut-work, embroidery, Kantha stitch, etc. Visit Kay Kraft to purchase Men’s wear, Women’s wear, and kid's wear. Website: http://kaykraft.com/

Ecstasy

Starting the journey in 1997, fashion house Ecstasy has rapidly claimed its position among the biggest fashion retailers in Bangladesh. Focusing on the fashion trend of young generations, Ecstasy presents their exclusive brand “Tanjim” and “Zarzain” targeting fashion-conscious men and women respectively. Men’s wear collection includes Shirts, T-shirts, Blazer, Suits, Panjabi, Kabli, Pants, Jeans, trousers, Shorts, Footwear, Men’s accessories, etc. Girls who have a passion for trendy bags and western dresses can navigate the rich collection of Ecstasy. Website: https://ecstasybd.com/

Yellow

The fashion brand Yellow creates more colorful outfits than it sounds. As a sister concern of Beximco, Yellow debuted in the fashion industry of Bangladesh in the year of 2004. Offering a complete wardrobe collection, Yellow has gracefully acquired a reputation as a trendy fashion house, for their creative design, and top quality fabrics. If you are looking for a one-stop online shopping website where you can buy formal and casual wears for your whole family including men, women, kids, then don’t miss Yellow! Website: https://yellowclothing.net/

Le Reve

With the tagline ‘Fashion for everyone for every occasion,’ the renowned brand Le Reve joined the country's fashion industry in 2009. Though being comparatively younger than other leading clothing brands of Bangladesh, Le Reve encourages trendy outfits for people of all ages ranging from newborns to senior citizens. Le Reve presents gracefully designed versatile apparel including Casuals, Shirts, Jeans, Fotua, Panjabi, Edgy Denims, Salwar Kamij, Tunic, Skirt, Ethnic wears, Accessories, etc. Website: https://www.lerevecraze.com/

Rang

Shopping from Rong can make your Eid more vibrant. Rang was founded in 1994 by four visionary youths with an endless passion for color and creativity. Through the journey of ups and downs, Rang has appeared as one of the top fashion houses in Bangladesh. Rong deserves praise for their precious contribution behind promoting the country’s handloom industry as well as handicraft products. Rang’s apparel collection includes Shari, Single Kamij, Stitched Dress, Shawl, Frock, Skirt, Tops, Kurta, Panjabi, shirts, Tees, Fotua, Diverse accessories, Gift items, etc. Website: https://rang-bd.com/

Anjan's

Are you looking for couple’s wear to make your Eid more special? Shop at Anjan's! Starting from 1994 Anjan's has created its space among the top-ranked fashion houses in Bangladesh. This famous clothing brand offers Men’s wear (Pajama, Panjabi, Shirt, and T-shirt), Women’s wear (Fatua, Ladies Top, Salwar Kamiz, and Shari) and Kid’s wear (Baby Pajama, Frock, and Kid’s Panjabi). Their top-of-the-line products ‘Margin By Anjans’ presents more versatility in fabric like cotton, Georgette, Silk, Embroidery, and so on. Website: https://www.anjans.com/

Other Eminent Apparel and Footwear Brands in BD

• Freeland. Website: http://freeland.com.bd/
• Shadakalo. Website: http://sadakalo.net/
• Easy Fashion. Website: https://easyfashion.com.bd/
• Smartex. Website: https://smartex-bd.com/
• Trendz. Website: http://trendzbd.com/
• Grameen Uniqlo. Website: https://www.grameenuniqlo.com/
• Bata. Website: https://www.batabd.com/
• Apex. https://www.apex4u.com/

Bottom Line

Though we can do shopping all the year-round, doing Eid-shopping for the loved ones makes us blissful. So far we have discussed some of the best fashion brands in the country where you can do online shopping for your family. However, don’t forget to take necessary safety precautions like wearing masks, and hand gloves while taking home-delivery of your product.  And, it is always recommended to check your product before the delivery man leaves. Happy Shopping!

The fashion crowd put a defiant face against the spread of a new virus, packing runway shows on the last big day of Milan Fashion Week on Sunday, even as Giorgio Armani made a last-minute decision to stream his latest collection from an empty theater out of concerns for guests' health.

Conde Naste artistic director Anna Wintour took her usual spot in the front-row of Dolce&Gabbana across from a gaggle of global social media Tik-Tok influencers, none of whom were deterred by the spreading virus that had put about a dozen northern Italian towns on lockdown.

The Italian National Fashion Chamber said in a statement early Sunday there were no indications from health officials that changes in the schedule were called for, adding that it was up to brands to decide if they would go ahead. Only Armani made changes, among nine shows scheduled.

Later in the day, Lombard officials closed theaters, cinemas and other places, like discos and pubs where people might crowd, for at least seven days, as confirmed cases in Italy jumped to at least 152. And Venice officials took the step of canceling Carnival celebrations, unprecedented in modern times, in a bid to stop the virus spread.

Even as the shows went on, the coronavirus threat cast a strange mood over the Italian fashion capital. Despite pockets of activity around the venues at showtime, the city was more empty than normal for an unusually warm winter Sunday, when people from the surrounding province often come for a stroll or to soak in the fashion week energy.

Inside shows, just a handful of people wore protective masks.

Asked about the impact of coronavirus on the fashion schedule, Wintour pivoted to the unexpected announcement of a collaboration between creative forces Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada at Prada going forward, calling it ''the most inspiring news of the season.''

"To me that just shows how we can all be much stronger together at a time when things are so politically divisive. The idea of two creative geniuses coming together supersedes other concerns,'' Wintour told The Associated Press after Dolce&Gabbana.

The economic impact of the virus on the wider industry remains a concern. At least 1,000 Chinese journalists, buyers and industry insiders couldn't travel from China, which contributes one-third of global luxury revenues in domestic sales and shopping abroad.

The Giorgio Armani fashion house announced overnight his runway show on Sunday would be conducted in an empty showroom and streamed for the fashion public on the internet as a ''preventative measure decided by Mr. Armani to support national efforts in safeguarding public health.''

It was the first time the 45-year-old Milan fashion house has taken such a step out of public health concerns, though Armani did stage a show in an empty venue in Paris in 1998 after officials said the big tent posed a safety hazard. At that time, he distributed video of the event to fashion editors, then restaged it in New York to protest what he said had been a decision dictated by fashion world politics and not safety concerns.

In streaming, Armani models moved across a dark background, giving contrast to pink, teal and pearl gray silky printed trousers and skirts, while black velvet jackets that blended in with the darkness.

The show ended with what notes said was a ''message of love for China,'' where the coronavirus first broke out. Models in glistening, sculpted gowns from archival couture Armani Prive' collections inspired by China stopped along the runway, while the 85-year-old took a bow to the virtual audience. Empty seats were visible behind him.

At Dolce&Gabbana, designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana showed a predominantly black and white collection in a world that is anything but. The looks included many iterations of the brand's famous black dresses, but this season was distinguished by cozy, enveloping knits in oversized stitching. To underline the artisanal quality, the brand's knitters and other craftspeople demonstrated their skills in the foyer.

Tik-Tocker Anna O'Brien, whose videos empowering curvy women are posted as @glittersandlazers, was thrilled to be in the front row of her first-ever international runway show, virus or no.

''Working in this industry, you learn about the hot story, right? And that's the hot story right now. Is it a threat? Definitely. But is it the only thing that's threatening the world right now? Not really,'' said O'Brien, who traveled from Austin, Texas, to Milan.

Earlier Sunday, emerging talent Mariana Rosati was preparing models for its morning show of her Tuscan brand DROMe, which has found fans with Bella Hadid and Ariana Grande. Rosati said she didn't believe there was reason to fear, as models sat nearby waiting for hair and make-up.

"I am very sorry what is going on. I know it is not predictable and obviously we need to be careful. But I actually think a lot of panic has been spread for not enough reasons," Rosati said.

Though she expected fewer people would show, it was standing room only for the collection meant to inspire sensuality in women with its oversized jackets complemented by body-defining mini-dresses with deep slits that show off knitted underwear with a vintage feel.

"Good vibes," Rosati said. "This morning the news was that people would not show up. They did and that is great."