Face masks are now an important part of our everyday lives.
In July, Toronto City Council approved a temporary bylaw to mandate face masks in indoor settings to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Although face masks are to be worn for health and safety precautions, retailers across Toronto have created their own designs to give face masks a little more style.
Here are some Toronto made face masks available for purchase:
Nadia Lloyd
Nadia Lloyd borrowed a sewing machine from her neighbour and has been repurposing cushions from her abstract art collection to give back during the nation’s battle against coronavirus.
Face mask styles include “Toronto Skyline,” “Graffiti Alley,” and “Black Lives Matter Toronto.”
If you purchase a Black Lives Matter mask, $5 will be donated to Black Lives Matter Toronto.
John Tory has even worn the “Toronto Pride Skyline” face mask.
These face masks are not medical or surgical grade but are made up of two layers of 50/50 poly-cotton and come with elastic ties.
They are all made in Toronto from fabric that features Lloyd’s original art.
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Bathing Belle
Bathing Belle is currently donating masks to long-term care homes in the City, as well as essential workers. Each of their masks are made up of two layers of Lycra fabric, with an adjustable, snug fit.
Styles include “Space Dogs,” “Chicken & Waffles,” and “Raccoon Mask.”
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Encircled
Encircled’s mission is to save medical-grade masks for front line workers by making non-medical face masks for the community.
You can buy a package of face masks or donate a package. All donations are given to St. James Service Providers’ Network in Toronto.
All masks are made of organic cotton and come in packages of three or five.
Each of their masks also has an extra pocket on the inside to insert a filter or an extra layer of fabric.
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Narces
For every face mask purchased, two or more masks are donated for local health and care institutions.
Face masks are made with pockets for filters. Some face masks are made with a crocheted layer on top to give an extra layer of style.
Pick-up in Toronto is free.
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Ellie Mae
Each of Ellie Mae’s face masks are sewn in Toronto with repurposed luxury fabrics that are sourced from European mills.
They also sell filters for their masks made from polypropylene materials. For $7 you can get a pack of 10 filters.
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Clementine’s
A portion of each face mask sale is donated to YWCA Toronto to support vulnerable children and women.
These non-medical masks are recommended for daily activities and errands.
The fabric used is double layered and comes in a variety of different colours.
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Mode Mask
Through their mask initiative, Mode Masks has donated more than $8,100 worth of masks in less than two months. All face masks are hand sewn. The fabric used comes from all over the world.
Styles include “True Grit – Love is Love,” “Leopard Mask,” and “Pride – Made-to-Measure.”
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Tribal Rhythm
With new designs added almost daily, most masks made by Tribal Rhythm are triple-layer vintage fabric with a filter pocket. They even sell a plastic grip for masks.
Styles include “Pretty Pansies,” “Tropical Safari,” and “Sunset Roses.”
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Kollar
Kollar sells their unisex face masks in packages of three. For $20 you will get three masks, one filter and one ear-free tension adjustment band.
Their triple-layered masks are made from cotton and polyester. Each mask has an aluminum nose adjustment feature to allow for a tighter fit.
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Noble Authority
This company has partnered with the Interval House Canada to provide women of abuse with a reusable mask from every purchase.
They have classic black masks, floral print masks and even the “Protectto Face Mask” – which pays homage to Drake and social distancing.
Their masks are made from organic cotton with an adjustable nose-peice and a soft inner lining.
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Spencer Badu
Spencer Badu has made hand sewn face masks with a built-in removable 3M air filter system for extra protection.
You can buy one, give one as there will be one face mask donated to the Humber River Hospital, with each mask purchased.
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Amanda Lew Kee is a Chinese Canadian casual luxury designer who started a “No Mask, No Service” initiative as a “respectful way to understand how we can do our part to protect each other indoors.”
SHe has donated 4,500 masks to long-term care communities across the GTA and now sells packs of face masks. A pack of three costs $25 and a five-pack sells for $45. You can direct message the @nomask_noservice Instagram to order.
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Christopher Paunil
Each of these face masks are made at the Christopher Paunil Design studio in Toronto.
For each mask sold, $2 is donated to Toronto based charity UForChange.
Styles include “Candy Sequin Pride,” “Maple Leaf Mixer,” and “Emerald City.”
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Sören Custom
These masks are made with a 100% cotton outer shell. The inner layer is made of bamboo fibre.
Their fashionable mask styles come in “Wakanda,” “Blue Gingham,” and “Pins.”
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