Cuban quinceaneras turn face masks into fashion

Reuters Videos
Updated

Turning face masks into fashion

Location: Havana, Cuba

Cuban girls celebrating their quinceaneras

are donning fashionable face masks

designed to match their dresses

both out of safety concerns

and to mark the era in which they come of age

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOFIA VALENZUELA, CELEBRATING HER QUINCEANERA, SAYING:

"I designed my dress and the mask was very important because it marked an important stage in my life.So I had to design my face masks to fit with my outfit and for all the colors to work. Apart from combining the colors, it was also for security."

A quinceanera is a rite of passage into womanhood

celebrated throughout Latin America

when a girl turns 15

Celebrations can involve epic photoshoots

in many glamorous outfits

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) THAIDELEN GONZALEZ, CELEBRATING HER QUINCEANERA, SAYING:

"You have to take care of yourself, the photo with the mask and nothing more. The photos will turn out nice anyway so wearing a face mask and looking after oneself is not too hard."