中国沙滩神器“脸基尼”或将引领澳大利亚夏日热潮
As the weather warms up and people get ready to hit the beach, it appears a new age of Australian swimwear may be dawning. The Face-Kini is shaping up to be this year's biggest summer trend, offering people a unique way to help prevent skin cancer. Originating in China and made from swimsuit material, the bizarre balaclava-style piece covers the user's entire head, leaving slits for just the eyes, nose and mouth. The functional fashion item was invented in Qingdao in 2004, to help Chinese women protect their delicate porcelain skin from the sun's rays. In addition the full-face covering also helps stop jellyfish stings and algae, which has lead to its immense popularity in its home country. Developed by former accountant Zhang Shifan, the Face-Kini has proven so popular it can sell more than 30,000 pieces every year. And the fashion piece has even begun moving outside China's borders, with the item appearing in photo shoots alongside swimsuits from Gucci and Armani. The designer has continued to release new collections, with her 2016 set aiming to raise awareness of endangered animals. Among the prints chosen were those featuring giant pandas, alligators and Siberian tigers. Previous designs included those from the Peking Opera, a form of entertainment known for its colourful face-painting. The covering comes in numerous colours and styles, from single block tones to those painted like real faces. Others can be matched to the user's swimsuit and used with accessories such as goggles, snorkels or diving masks. While the first generation of Face-Kinis were strictly head-wear, new ranges even offer full-body suits. Speaking about the swimwear range's success, the Face-Kini's designer said she isn't looking to slow down. 'I will keep designing and try to make it a fashion icon both at home and abroad,' Ms Zhang said. |