New Generation of Facekini Makes Its Debut in Qingdao

2016/09/02

Chen Xiaoli

Facekini, a popular piece of swimming gear in China, has a new look.

While the facekini initially covered only the swimmers' heads, the new designs cover the entire bodies.

The facekini is thought to have been created by Zhang Shifan, who created the fabric mask to protect beachgoers from jellyfish stings and sunburn in 2004. It was popular in the coastal city of Qingdao during summers.

It has caught the attention of the international fashion world since the French magazine CR Fashion Book released a facekini-themed photo shoot titled "Masking in the Sun" in 2014.

Now a new generation of facekinis is being released in a variety of themes.

Some of them feature 10 most endangered animals in the world including giant pandas, alligators, and Siberian tigers.

Others feature traditional Chinese patterns like the Peking Opera costumes, peacock, dragon and phoenix.

The suits, which were initially only purchased by middle-aged women, are now popular among younger women and men.

"I will keep designing and try to make it a fashion statement both at home and abroad," Zhang said.

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New Generation of Facekini Makes Its Debut in Qingdao

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