The Big Cover-up: Five Dollar Shake, The Art File, Wrendale, Caroline Gardner and Museums & Galleries Join The Mask Bonanza

Five Dollar Shake, The Art File, Caroline Gardner, Museums & Galleries and Wrendale Designs are among the leading brands who have adapted their greeting card design prowess towards creating attractive PPE.

Above: The Caroline Gardner face masks (made from 100% cotton) have three layers. The front, the inner layer and then also a pocket so a filter sheet can be added in.
Above: The Caroline Gardner face masks (made from 100% cotton) have three layers. The front, the inner layer and then also a pocket so a filter sheet can be added in.

Meanwhile, in a witty topical move, The Fitzwilliam Museum has ‘repainted’ some its greeting card designs to include masks on some of its famous figurative fine art reproductions. The collection of eight cards are being sold in the museum shop (and online) with a collection of matching face coverings.

The Cambridge-based museum, while closed temporarily during the lockdown, came up with the idea for its Fitzwilliam Masterpieces 2020 Edition, based on the idea of how some of its favourite paintings would be entertaining themselves during this most unusual year.

Above: Modern updates of The Countess Rachel du Ruvigny of Southampton Anthony van Dyck (left) and pre-Raphaelite artist John Everett Millais’ The Bridesmaid (1851) from The Fitzwilliam Museum’s new Masterpieces card collection.
Above: Modern updates of The Countess Rachel du Ruvigny of Southampton Anthony van Dyck (left) and pre-Raphaelite artist John Everett Millais’ The Bridesmaid (1851) from The Fitzwilliam Museum’s new Masterpieces card collection.

As demand continues to outstrip demand for face coverings, in light of the legal requirements to wear them inside public places in the UK, several leading publishing companies have been agile in adding collections of face masks to their portfolios.

“Our feeling was,  if you have to hide your face at least you can spread a little bit of happiness and positivity wherever you go,” said Hayley Messenger, customer services manager of Five Dollar Shake about its new collection of sassy face masks (made from two layers of soft, comfortable, adjustable jersey).

Above: A bit of stylish wit from Five Dollar Shake.
Above: A bit of stylish wit from Five Dollar Shake.

The Art File (with help from the GA) was able to source a manufacturer in Turkey for its new collection of face coverings, enabling the range to be produced in whistlestop time.

The collection of eight designs (washable up to 15 times) features some of The Art File’s most popular patterns, such as Frank the sausage dog from the Call Me Frank collection, as well as its best-selling giftwrap designs of bees and bicycles, among others.

Above: The Call Me Frank and bicycle designs from The Art File are available in both medium and large as these designs are unisex. All other designs are currently only available in medium.
Above: The Call Me Frank and bicycle designs from The Art File are available in both medium and large as these designs are unisex. All other designs are currently only available in medium.

“We also thought it was important to provide a resealable bag with each mask, which means the face covering can be kept safe and clean when not being used, instead of being placed in a pocket with other items such as keys and mobile phones,” said Emma Hancox, marketing assistant.

“Who’d have thought a year ago that face masks would be this year’s ‘must have’ accessory. It is awful that they are required, but we might as well make them attractive,” commented Sophie Bylina, Museums & Galleries’ administration and relationships’ manager. The company is due to receive the first delivery of its collection of 12 designs, the majority based on licences with national museums (including the V&A, Tate, British Museum and Natural History Museum).

“The pre-orders for the range have been flying. We have included them in attractive pouches so that not only are they good for self-purchases, but also makes them a thoughtful little gift,” added Sophie.

Above: A V&A William Morris Strawberry Thief design face covering from Museums & Galleries.
Above: A V&A William Morris Strawberry Thief design face covering from Museums & Galleries.

Also awaiting delivery of its range of face coverings is Wrendale Designs. As Hannah Dale, founder of the company revealed to PG Buzz, “We weren’t planning to do any face coverings, but we received so many requests from our customers that we’ve gone ahead, delighted to find a company who could manufacture them in the UK.”

Above: The Wrendale face coverings, which feature Hannah’s distinctive artwork, are 100% cotton on the outside and 100% bamboo fibre on the inside, which is hypoallergenic.
Above: The Wrendale face coverings, which feature Hannah’s distinctive artwork, are 100% cotton on the outside and 100% bamboo fibre on the inside, which is hypoallergenic.

Top: Titian’s Venus and Cupid with a lute-player (1555-1565) is given a modern twist on this greeting card of from The Fitzwilliam Museum.

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