http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/28826/1/how-surgical-masks-became-a-fashion-statement
The concept of surgical masks as a fashion trend was magnified by the Japanese and, more so in my personal opinion, the Koreans. Although originally being intended as an act of preventing the spread of illness, primarily in that of Japan where it was considered general etiquette, more and more people began wearing the masks for cosmetic reasons. Some wore it to hide their face, like how some may wear hats to hide their messy hair while others took it a step further past the basic physical identity. Some wanted to hide their emotions. Referred to as ‘The honne-tatemae divide’. Justin Egli from ‘Dazed Digital’ states, “[honne-tatemae is] the contrast between a person’s true feelings and desires (honne) and the behaviour and opinions one displays in public (tatemae). By wearing a mask, these emotions can remain hidden”.
Now I am rather new to this concept but I’m quite a fanatic for the process. The world and the people within it can be quite intense so to be able to restrict your vulnerability to others on your own terms is therapeutic. Icons such as SCARLXRD and PRXJEK further enforce the surgical mask culture while Jahseh ‘xxxtentacion’ Onfroy (may he rest in peace) presented a full mask representation that contrasts the half-mask culture. While the surgical may be intended for control of emotion, I believe the full mask represents something more; identity and sense of self. This can be understood as a redefining of the ‘emo’ culture or more specifically the emo rap genre. In years prior the culture of emo revolved around intense eyeshadow, wild frizzy hair and fishnets yet it has evolved, at least in the emo rap scene, to be defined by tattoos, masks and colour. A sense of identity, control and individuality.
The masks are, in the simplest manner, a representation of control: physically, emotionally and socially.
