CR Fashion Book Spotlights the Hottest Summer Accessory: the Facekini

CR Fashion Book shines light on the popular Chinese summer accessory, the facekini.

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Complex Original

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Have you ever gone to the beach to not soak up the sun and work on your tan? Carine Roitfeld's CR Fashion Book shows off a popular Chinese beach accessory in its latest editorial: the facekini.

The facekini looks like summer's answer to the balaclava, structured as a nylon head covering that shields the entire neck and face—save for the eyes, mouth, and nose.

The mask initially gained popularity in the city of Qingdao in northeastern China as a way for ladies to protect their skin from harmful sun rays and jellyfish while swimming at the beach. The accessory eventually caught on throughout China as information on the harmful effects of sun damage became more widespread.

The editorial in CR Fashion Book states: “Our latest summer story represents an opposing ideal of beauty altogether, with masked poolside models set out to soak up as little sun as possible. While our summer beauty routines are devoted to bronzing, self-tanning, and tan-extending, in Asia, beauty-seekers are more likely to center theirs around lightening and brightening. A tan does not signify a chic trip to Capri, but it could mean hours of hard labor spent out in the harsh sun.”

The editorial conceptualizes the idea of “anti tanning” and covers up the models in high fashion swimsuits by the likes of Alexander Wang, Armani, and Michael Kors, but when all is said and done, it’s hard to think that the magazine’s editorial wasn't at least a little inspired by Yeezus. If you’re interested in checking out more of the editorial, head over to CR Fashion Book.

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[via The Independent]

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