Crisis Couture: A Study on Motivations and Practices of Mask Makers During A Crisis

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The landscape of everyday fashion has been transformed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of this can be attributed to different types of communities (e.g. fashion, makers, sewing), who have designed and fabricated masks to counter global shortages and negative culture backlashes. In this paper, we present a mix-methods study of individuals and groups within these communities on their motivations and practices in designing and creating face masks during a global crisis. We conducted a survey with 66 mask makers in the Summer of 2020, and we interviewed 23 of them about their attitudes and reflections on their mask making processes, their unique innovations, and the meaning of contributing in an impactful manner in local and global communities. We unpack themes around technology, self-expression and statement making, making and remixing, sustainable practices, as well as the role of design inspirations on methods and practices for mask makers during a crisis.