In what could be considered a nod to fictional masked heroes, beachgoers in China have been spotted going to super strange lengths to protect their skin from the sun.
Dubbed the face-kini, the waterproof balaclava-style masks have taken off in the East but some online pundits are deeming the ‘bank-robber look’ ridiculous.
“Aliens taking over the world and they are wearing a #facekini” tweeted Anindiat Chatterjee.
“Well that’s just creepy” added Angeliana Thompson.
Online, the face-kini hashtag has gone nuts among netizens and the oriental trend looks set to go global after New York-based style magazine CR Fashion Book, founded by former Vogue Paris editor Carine Roitfeld, recently published a steamy photo shoot featuring the quirky accessory.
Having trouble deciding between the sun and the shade this summer? So are we… http://t.co/fwgsEqUFF6 pic.twitter.com/qwvWfoy1FT
While in the West golden skin might be coveted and people pay for tans, in China flawless porcelain skin has been understood to signify of wealth and prosperity for centuries.
