The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an explosion in the popularity of facemasks. However, this is not limited to the clinically tested masks that are proven to prevent the spread of the virus. It also includes the natural evolution of masks from a necessity to a fashion accessory that doubles as a symbol of wealth and status.
While many low-grade disposable masks can be bought in packs of hundreds, these facemasks cost hundreds, thousands, or millions of dollars apiece. Some of them don’t even function as virus-inhibiting masks – they’re purely for show.
Continue reading to learn about the 8 most expensive facemasks that money can buy.
- The Bijan Limited Edition Pure Silk Mask
- The Black Crystal Mask
- Monogram Watercolor Embroidered Mask Cover
- The LV Shield
- FM53 Series Twin Port Gas Mask
- HALO Full Face Mask
- The Diamond Face Mask
- The Diamond Studded Mask
Brand: Bijan
Color: Yellow
photo source: Bijan
The Limited Edition Pure Silk Mask by the luxury fashion designer Bijan has a double-layered cotton liner, which means that unlike many masks later on this list, this one does provide some protection from the virus that causes COVID-19. It is billed as the most luxurious facemask in the world, though we’ll see later that isn’t quite true.
Still, this Bijan mask was 100% handmade by artisan facilities in Italy from pure silk and cotton. The mask comes with a Bijan Fragrance Keychain and costs $465. However, shipping on international orders costs $45, so consider that when measuring up the price of this mask against the others.
Did you know?
The luxury fashion designer known as Bijan Pakzad, or just “Bijan,” was born in Iran and specialized in menswear and luxury fragrances. Though his first boutique was in Tehran, he is perhaps most famous stateside for his luxury boutique in Beverly Hills, which has been there since 1976 and caters to the most high-earning men’s fashion connoisseurs it can find.
After Bijan died in 2011, many of the stores have changed hands, including this famous boutique, which sold to Louis Vuitton (LVMH) in 2016 for $122 million. We’ll be getting to them later this list.
Brand: Christian Siriano
Color: Black and crystal
photo source:
The Black Crystal Mask by Christian Siriano is a limited-edition luxury facemask whose proceeds contribute to the brand’s “Mask Project.” While these masks are certainly stylish, they have no lab-tested or virus-preventing capacity whatsoever and are neither tested nor approved by the FDA, NIOSH, or any other regulatory commission. In other words, these masks are just for show.
However, the ”show” Is pretty stylish, with a mask that is customizable for any user and with enough glittering crystal to satisfy even the greediest attention-seeker. To make an impression with this mask costs $595. Just remember to wear a protective mask underneath!
Did you know?
The fashion designer Christian Siriano started his own named collection in 2008 after competing on Project Runway. At the time, he was a freelance makeup artist and designer. He now owns a multi-million-dollar fashion brand that, while not the most valuable in the world, has made a name for itself with luxury items like this black crystal facemask.
Brand: Louis Vuitton
Color: Multicolored
photo source: Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton is a luxury fashion boutique that will feature again on this list, more famous for its decorous luggage, expensive watches and accessories, and high-end ready-to-wear clothes. This facemask, called the Monogram Watercolor Embroidered Mask Cover, is their answer to the booming cloth mask market during the COVID-19 pandemic. To own this stylish mask will cost you $760.
Did you know?
The mask is decorative, sporting pearls and sequins among its vibrant color patterns and LV branding, designed to be worn over your protective facemask. For just a showcase, many people may be wary to pay $760 for the mask, but the Louis Vuitton name carries enough weight to make this one a contender.
Brand: Louis Vuitton
Color: Clear
photo source: Louis Vuitton
The luxury fashion design brand by Louis Vuitton threw in their addition to the luxury facemask couture culture with this expensive face shield called the “LV Shield.” As the mask is exposed to more sunlight, it gets darker to provide its user with increased visibility and UV protection in addition to the protection from airborne viruses (this is called “photochromic”). The mask is framed in leather and attached with an elastic monogram strap.
To buy the Louis Vuitton “LV” Shield costs $962 from the boutique’s website.
Did you know?
The Louis Vuitton fashion brand represents the oldest facemask maker on this list, being established in Paris in 1854. They are more famous for their boutiques, which sell luxury leather goods, jewelry, and accessories. They have been named the world’s most valuable brand six times in the 21st century alone, operate in 50 countries from 460 stories around the world, and are valued at $18.8 billion.
Brand: Avon Protection Systems
Color: Black
photo source: Atlantic Tactical
Avon Protection Systems made this gas mask, called the FM53 Series Twin Port mask, for use when dealing with hazardous airborne chemicals, biological agents, or nuclear materials. The mask uses a replaceable filtration canister to provide its wearer with the best protection money can buy, though the canister does not come with the mask.
Buying an FM53 series mask for yourself or your at-risk employees will cost $1,577.99.
Did you know?
The head harness of the FM53 Series Twin Port Gas Mask is made from Lycra, which is a strong elastic fiber more commonly used in athletic clothing. The faceplate has an anti-scratch coating as well as an optically corrected lens visor to give its wearer the most visibility possible under the circumstances.
Brand: CleanSpace
Color: Clear
photo source: Gas Detector Shop
Unlike some of the more decorated facemasks on this list, the HALO Full Face Mask is pure, medical-grade, clinically supported functionality for protecting its wearer during the COVID-19 pandemic. This mask, created by CleanSpace, costs $99,999.99 because it provides the best protection available in preventing the spread of airborne illnesses.
Due to its technological superiority, the company has restricted this mask from being sold to private citizens. Only hospitals, research facilities, and physicians have access to this mask and must verify their position in the healthcare industry before their order can be completed.
Did you know?
CleanSpace is well-known for its HALO PAPR Systems and HALO Respirators, both of which are compatible with the HALO Full Face Mask. It can be clipped onto the power unit and easily breathed through while maintaining full vision for the user and clear communication with anyone else in the room.
Brand: Jacob & Co.
Color: Diamond
photo source: American Luxury
Incorporating 3,040 diamonds, the facemask known only as the Diamond Face Mask is the second most expensive in the world, costing $250,000. It was designed by Jacob & Co., the private luxury watch and jewelry manufacturer headquartered in Manhattan. They went all out for this facemask, which embeds its 3,000+ precious stones in a mesh of white gold.
Though the mask was molded in the shape of a genuine medical mask, it’s designed to be decorative rather than protective, to be worn over a protective mask with appropriate filtration.
Did you know?
Jacob & Co. was founded in 1986 by Jacob Arabo. They are perhaps most famous for the luxury watch called, “The World is Yours,” which won the Design Award through Travel + Leisure. They were also featured in the 1999 Jay-Z single, “Girl’s Best Friend.”
Brand: Yvel
Color: Black and white
photo source: Business Insider
The most expensive face mask is the Diamond Studded Mask. This mask was designed by Yvel and embellished with nearly 4,000 precious stones, including 3,608 white and black diamonds totaling 210 carats. The mask is also inlaid with 250 g of 18-karat gold.
An anonymous Los Angeles businessman and art collector commissioned the mask from Yvel during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the company’s work as well as nab himself a one-of-a-kind facemask covered in precious stones. He paid $1.5 million for his prize.
Did you know?
Though the mask is a piece of art and jewelry in its own right, it is also a functional face mask that passed the FDA and EU requirements for mask regulations during the pandemic. The folks at Yvel worked on the mask for three months and even included a space on the inside for an N-95 filter, which as you may know is the most effective, medical-grade filter available.
The Takeaway
Whether purchased purely to protect yourself and the people around you or as a hip fashion statement in the face of dire circumstances (or both), these ultra-expensive facemasks will definitely make an impression. You may not opt for the most luxurious, diamond-studded, multi-million-dollar mask, but even the lower-tier masks could satisfy a craving to use a facemask requirement as an excuse to accessorize. Even virus prevention has a right to be stylish!
