Halloween is a great occasion to showcase your creativity and put on a show. But it also serves as a playful reminder that you don’t necessarily have to wait for that special occasion to add a little zest to your outfit. Because let’s face it: life is too short to wear boring clothes. Here are two artists (and one dog) who seem to have gotten the memo.
Damsel Frau
Norwegian-born, London-based, artist, Magnhild Kenned (aka Damsel Frau) is known for her incredible masks, which have landed her features in top tier publications like Vogue and Forbes. Using textiles, ribbons, beads, and anything in between, her masks make for a powerful statement – an autonomous work of art as well as a functional piece, made to be worn (but to what occasion?).
“For me, the mask is a place where different elements come together as situation,” wrote Kenned on her website. “The work is about this place-situation, more so than the mask as a theme or category of form.”
Shalva Nikvashvili
Belgium-based artist Shalva Nikvashvili, makes original masks that are meant to draw attention to the face, while completely concealing it. His chosen materials include anything from cleaning supplies to cardboard. “I have never fitted into the masses and never want to,” admitted Nikvashvili in an interview with FGUK Magazine. “My work has been and will be placed where I can be whoever I want to be.”
Chihuahua Mametaro
Instagram sensation Chihuahua Mametaro will inspire you to wear your mask with pride, even if its made using the simplest of materials. His human owner, a Japanese woman named Semba, makes his cardboard masks for him, but her pooch is delightful to put on a show. The designs are mostly based on manga and anime characters. When Semba wants to snap a photo of her Chihuahua friend, she simply says “Go home!” and he pokes his little head through the mask.