Masks That Make a Statement — The Lexington Line

With the struggles of small businesses closing, stay-at-home orders keeping people inside and the dangers of essential workers—you name it—everyone is stressed. Everyday tasks have to be completed and essential workers have to work, which means wearing masks and gloves. Many medical-grade masks are unavailable to essential workers because people continue to buy them up in bulk.

However, small designers have decided to make masks for the public to buy in order to stay safe. A 20-year-old designer and LIM student has focused his sewing skills on making custom masks that fit the aesthetic of his sustainable streetwear brand and simultaneously keep people safe. According to his brand, his sustainable tactics means masks that are made from recycled denim jeans and cotton fabrics. Justin Ryan is the creative brain behind the brand Twenty9Sixty8.

“I started redesigning clothes my senior year in high school; we had a fashion and textile class that I learned how to sew in. In 2017, I started out with redesigning my own clothes, and then it started to gain a lot of recognition from my friends,” Ryan says. If you’re wondering about his brand name, Twenty9Sixty,8 it comes from his house number where he crafts his dope creations in his basement. Justin Ryan is known for making cool and wearable pieces from recycled jeans and cotton fabrics.

“My favorite piece I made would have to be this outfit made from 2 pairs of thrifted jeans. They were orange and camo and I attached them onto a black set to create the look.”

His designs are edgy and give a sense of Japanese streetwear mixed with American construction wear. “My biggest accomplishment would have be when I sold an orange/camo flannel hoodie to SuperDope Q’s, celebrity stylist for the VH1 show, Blank Ink Crew. The piece was shown on the show a ton!”

In light of this stressful situation the world is in, Ryan decided to expand his product mix and start making fashionable masks. He saw everyone wearing basic medical masks and he wanted to bring some fun into the chore of wearing a mask for safety.

“I want my masks to have drip; something that matches or enhances someone’s outfit for safety and aesthetics. The materials I’ve been using mostly are denim and cotton with a filter between the fabric for efficiency.” Justin’s custom masks allow people to make a fashion statement while being safe.

Since the release of his masks, he’s been selling at least one to ten a day. It doesn’t take long to make, but with more detail added to the masks, the process can be tedious. “It takes me about 30 minutes to one hour. It depends on the design of the mask, because adding extra detail takes more time,” Ryan says.

His favorite design has a lot of extra stitching, but made as a one-of-a-kind edgy mask. “My favorite mask I’ve made was a denim mask with exaggerated fringed pieces hanging from the mouth part.” After making the masks complete with design, filter and straps, he adds his custom label. Finally, it’s off to the customer. He mainly ships out masks to customers, but if the customer lives in the area, he’s set up curbside pick up for convenience.

Justin’s designs are beyond spectacular, and Twenty9Sixty8 is definitely a sustainable streetwear brand to keep an eye on! If you’re in need of a stylish mask, check out his instagram. A handmade, sustainable mask is only $20, and it’s one that’s stylish and safe.