-By Mokshika Chauhan
Balaclavas, also known as ski masks, have been popular in colder parts of Europe like Eastern and Northern Europe for a long time; however, they were not as common in New York City. However, it’s possible that their relative oddness made them a great choice for forward-thinking New York fashion. Marni and Ella Emhoff’s striped balaclavas, for example, not only draw attention to themselves but also conceal the wearer’s identity. It focuses solely on their clothing rather than the individual.
Notwithstanding, by then, balaclavas went from being an interesting unique case to a foaming pattern. Balaclavas appeared to have simultaneously attracted a specific subset of hip hop culture and its passionate, creative adherents. “In Brooklyn, we know what will be the biggest fashion statements before it takes off!” says Brooklyn rapper Lola Brooke. as to peculiarity.
Nowadays, the balaclava is just as likely to be seen in deep Bushwick as it is, say, at a show during Paris Style Week or in a trendy bar in midtown Manhattan. They have been seen on the runways of a growing number of shows, covering both men’s and women’s fashion: Leather and latex balaclavas were included in the most recent Louis Vuitton men’s collection, which was designed by KidSuper’s Colm Dillan. Other designers included Simone Rocha, Marni, Loewe, Y-Project, and Kenzo. Overcoats
and suits that could be worn to a meeting went with these balaclavas. The British designer Marine Serre upped the ante by selling masks that covered the nose and mouth as well as the eyes, making them more suitable for, say, Rihanna’s iconic “S&M” video.