Chinese designer merges fashion and function for COVID-19 masks

Fashionable and functional masks

are designer Zhou Li's speciality

Location: Beijing, China

Her embroidered silk face masks feature

Chinese characters, camellias, and orchids

They have proven so popular

that she can't keep up with demand

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) DESIGN DIRECTOR OF SHANDONG SUNBIRD GARMENT COMPANY, ZHOU LI, SAYING:

"I think everyone's design, every country's design is different. In the future, masks will definitely become a normal product, combining fashion with tradition, featuring human health and protection. It will be like that. Designers should be more creative with this aspect, not only me. I really hope more designers and more people in the fashion industry create their own masks."

Zhou also makes protective suits

printed with traditional Chinese paintings

after requests for safe but stylish travel outfits