Madame Gives a Shout Out...

 
...and a blatant plug, something that is not usually my intent.

Back in early April—you know, 20 months ago—Johnny Was, based in Los Angeles, was among the first to offer masks for sale. A pack of five, constructed from their signature prints, lined in cotton with a pocket for inserting a filter, cost $25. For every pack ordered, a pack would be donated to essential workers.

That to me is a win/win—something I needed from a designer whose lovely Boho tops, dresses and kimonos are a bit too pricey for me and an opportunity to help do good. Wait time was three weeks (now shortened to a week). I actually wondered if we would still need masks by then.

The masks arrived today, and I couldn't be more pleased. They are lovely, all different, all lined in a soft striped cotton. They are nicely pleated and finished. I sew, but I could never have the patience for that kind of detail.

Lined interior

The pocket allows you to insert a filter. I understand paper cone coffee filters work well. A few snips and you have it.

There are now three choices of designs. Cotton sateen prints or cotton sateen in neutral (unisex) prints are 5 masks for $25 or 50 for $250. Silk charmeuse prints are 5 for $40.

Cotton sateen prints

Cotton sateen neutrals

Silk charmeuse prints

For every pack sold Johnny Was will donate a pack to essential workers in hospitals and charities. They have donated over 300,000 masks so far.

I respect the spirit and the manner in which these are being offered. A card enclosed with my masks read in part, "We are grateful that during this unprecedented time, we are coming together stronger than ever and all doing our part to protect one another."

Besides, it was great fun to open the package and see what I got. Imagine my great joy and surprise when one print turned out to be leopard!