Behind The Mask

Sandgate naturopath Sommer Watts and seamstress Jade Ashton have teamed up to help the local community stay safe and look good at the same time.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the local duo have started manufacturing reusable face masks, and according to Sommer, there's plenty of demand.

Our masks are reusable, they have three layers as advised by the chief health officer and they're fully washable,� she said.

The ear loops are made from soft elastic and they're very comfortable.

They also have a nose wire, meaning they can be moulded to the shape of your face. The nose wire provides a better fit and also, if you wear glasses, this will stop them fogging up.�

Sommer, who runs Health By Design Co, said she approached Jade, owner of She Is Known to Sew, to help with the project, as she knew the quality of her work.

Jade has worked for Opera Queensland and Queensland Ballet as a seamstress, as well as with fashion designers Sasha Drake and Easton Pearson,� she said.

She has an industrial sewing machine and these masks are commercial quality.

With everything that's happened in Victoria and then we see what's happening in NSW, this virus is going to be here to stay for a while.

We want people to want to wear masks for their health and if we can make it a fashion statement, that's great as well.

The masks are really beautiful, we hand select the fabric ourselves, and there's something for everyone.�

Sommer added the masks were art and medicine coming together in the best way possible�.

The medical advice is, if you can't social distance, wearing a mask is the best way to protect yourself and others, as well as washing your hands,� she said.

Jade and I are just very proud of putting out a quality, Australian made product.�

The masks come in three different sizes ' small, medium and large, to suit children, teenagers and adults.

Available at www.breatheeasymasks.com.au, as well as from local retailer around the 4017 area.