As Summers Set In, 'Facekinis' Return On Chinese Beaches

As summers set in China, popular beaches in Qingdao are lined up with women sporting 'facekinis', a unique swimwear to protect face from the harsh sun.

A report by shanghai.ist suggests that women have been warming up to this fashion trend and feel that 'facekini' - a stretchy mask with holes pierced in the area of the eyes, mouth and nostril - helps in protecting their fair skin from sun and other irritants on the water's surface.

Over the years, the peculiar beachwear has undergone a number of stylish new versions by Chinese designer Zhang Shifan, who first made worldwide headlines for creating a 'facekini', a design inspired by endangered animals and Peking opera.

A woman poses with a facekini on the beach.

'Facekinis' have garnered mixed reactions of social media sites:

En 2004 se le ocurrio la idea a Zhang Shifan, dueno de una tienda de ropa de bano en Qingdao. Y se hizo de oro. pic.twitter.com/a46y071Bfk

- Julen Asua (@julenasua) July 26, 2016

One way to avoid sunblock: The facekini. Can't decide if these are chic or creepy. I kind of like them, though. pic.twitter.com/kBZLBsj1IF

- cyborgunplugged (@cyborgunplugged) June 16, 2018

Just discovered the Chinese facekini. NEED #factor50isntenough #nowrinklesherehun pic.twitter.com/dKN7sobkbG

- Lily Wright (@lilzwright) May 8, 2018

Last year, Mr Zhang introduced a seventh-generation 'facekini', which was inspired by a design of traditional blue-and-white porcelain and embroidery.

'Facekinis' are available online and are priced between $18-$20. There's a lot of buzz about this trend in the US but the 'face swimwear' is yet to pick up there. China, however, has embraced this trend and sporting it in style.