KUALA LUMPUR: For local fashion designer Melinda Looi, making "Made in Malaysia" washable masks was her way of encouraging the public to don the gear to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Looi partnered with fellow designer Datuk Tom Abang Saufi to create the washable mask collection, UnityMasks, featuring state flags that served as a tribute to frontliners.
Both designers are known for their traditional and eco-friendly approach. Looi said the idea was to create masks that were affordable and sustainable.
"Wearing a face mask is a sign of respect. It is to protect yourself and the others around you.
"The designs are symbols of unity. They also reduce waste as they are washable and reusable as opposed to disposable masks," Looi told the New Straits Times.
The UnityMasks collection, launched in May, features filter pockets that users may change when needed.
"We have different types of masks, but all have a minimum of three layers and a filter pocket.
"You can add your favourite filter for extra protection.
"The materials vary by design, from woven cotton to woven poly mix, but there is always one non-woven waterproof layer for protection inside."
Looi said the biggest challenge was to ensure the pricing was affordable.
"Since the launch, the response has been amazing. Not only from my regular customers, but celebrities and even royals were spotted wearing their state mask. I am grateful for the support."
Looi said the UnityMasks pattern followed the surgical mask's pleated design with an extra long elastic string allowing for flexible fitting by users.
"As for the pattern, we followed the international standard of a waterproof non-woven layer inside and a pocket to insert the filter.
"Unfortunately, the Health Department has not endorsed the use of reusable masks yet. But in Hong Kong, they encourage the public to use reusable ones," she said, hoping that Malaysia would follow suit.
Meanwhile, Fadzleen Hanipah, who has launched innovative face masks for hijab-wearing women, stressed the importance of taking care of each other during the pandemic.
Fadzleen said her endeavour into masks began when she realised that hijab-wearing women had trouble wearing face masks, especially masks with ear loops.
She got in touch with a well-known company in China to develop her "head loop" masks.
"It is a band that straps the mask around the head and keeps the mask in place.
"As a firm believer of #kitajagakita, my aim is to encourage people who wear the hijab to wear face masks by introducing a quality product in the market.
"In Japan, they have a strong sense of responsibility. They wear masks to protect each other when they are not feeling well."
Fadzleen said her product had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and was marketed in Doha, Qatar.
"It is only 'fashionable' to protect our community instead of merely keeping up with fashion in a conventional sense. Looking at how patient numbers have been rising in our country, it is crucial that we are on our guard."
Echoing Looi's call, Fadzleen believed that the government should make wearing face masks mandatory.