Wearing A Mask is An Act of Love

Wearing A Mask is An Act of Love

When the Coronavirus started spreading, I began to think of ways I could contribute. At first, I was concerned about designing something pretty for what is a very serious purpose. I don’t take the work that doctors and nurses are doing at all lightly, or what people are going through due to Covid-19 - it’s just heartbreaking.Claire Pettibone with Daughter in Face Mask

But when it became clear that we will all be wearing cloth masks for the foreseeable future, and after donning my share of generic face masks, I decided that designing something that was functional while also feminine and maybe even uplifting, was something I could offer.Claire Pettibone Flagship Salon Dresses It’s such a daunting time to be in any business, and the wedding community has been hit especially hard, so in between helping our brides re-schedule their wedding dress fittings and deliveries, one of my biggest concerns was how to keep our business going.Claire Pettibone Design Atelier Team in Los AngelesIncluding myself and my husband Guy, we’re a small team of 8 dedicated people, and we make everything with great skill and care in our atelier. We built our company together over the last 25 years, and during that time, we’ve had to evolve and adapt to many challenges. Selling these masks doesn’t generate a profit for our company, but if we can just cover our costs and keep our employees working while doing something productive, it’s worth it.Claire Pettibone Cotton Face Mask | Project Mask LA LogoFor each mask sold, we donate one to Project Mask LA, so with every purchase, you’re not only supporting our team, but also giving back to first responders and front-line workers. Purchases enable our small business to keep paying our Los Angeles team while we await the re-opening of our flagship bridal salon.Claire Pettibone's Daughter wearing a face maskOur Love Masks are designed to cover the nose and mouth without excess bulk. Made of 2 layers of 98.5% cotton with silk bias ties that are adjustable around the ears, and tie at the base of the neck, allowing the mask to fit comfortably. For added protection, the design features an interior cotton voile pocket to insert a filter.Claire Pettibone Butterfly Signature MotifThe butterfly has become one of my signature motifs. It represents rebirth, renewal, and transformation. For me, it is also a symbol of hope and beauty. I know these are challenging times for all of us, and I hope this small gesture brings a bit of light as we slow the spread of this virus.An Act of Love Face Mask by Claire PettiboneThe response to our Love Masks has been amazing, and we sold out one of the colors in the first week. We use fine cotton for some of our wedding dresses, and I had some lovely print fabric in our atelier. New prints are arriving soon from two of our favorite fabric suppliers, so we’ll have more designs to choose from.Claire Pettibone Flagship Salon Los AngelesPersonally, this whole experience is still a roller coaster of emotions. Worrying about our business, our daughter adjusting to online school, my older parents who we can’t travel to see…it’s a lot. And we’re blessed not to be sick or working in high-risk professions, so add guilt to the list!Love Face Mask by Claire Pettibone Heart FlowersCreating something pretty while helping people stay safer has given me something positive to focus on, and I am so grateful we can keep our team employed. Ultimately, I believe in love, and I have to believe we will get through this. Thank you for your support, and for doing your part to protect each other by social distancing and wearing face masks. Sending you love through it all.

To purchase your Love Face Mask click here

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