How coronavirus sparked unlikely streetwear trend
A Melbourne start-up has created a hoodie with a built-in face mask in a perfect mix of function and fashion for the coronavirus pandemic. And after Premier Daniel Andrews’ latest announcement, the garments are flying off the shelves.
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A Melbourne start-up has created the ideal fashion garment for the coronavirus age by crossing the humble hoodie with a face mask.
Bayside woman Bella Perruzza, who started clothes brand CX19 in April, said they were cleared out on Sunday when the Premier announced masks would become mandatory for Melburnians.
“We’ve sold about 2,000 hoodies (on Sunday). The numbers keep increasing as people keep hearing about us,” she said.
Ms Perruzza started CX19 when she teamed up with Melbourne garment manufacturer Kymlee to create a stylish piece that would also provide some protection.
“We thought it would be a cool idea to have a hoodie with the little face protective mask in the front there, to hone in on the social distancing,” she said.
”The jumper is more street wear style.
“It’s good having something like that that’s also trendy looking.”
The hoodies are made from locally sourced fabrics and produced in Kymlee’s Braybrook factory.
Ms Perruzza said as well as growing sales in Victoria, she had also seen a surge in overseas customers, with half their orders coming from the U.S.
“Obviously what we have in there isn’t a surgical mask or anything but it is something. We’re all doing our part to eradicate what’s been going on,” she said.
Ms Perruzza, who has no background in fashion and works in real estate, said she hoped to release an edgier cropped hoodie next as well as patterned ones designed by local artists.
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