Designer reveals ‘4th-generation facekini’ at Shandong fair

The facekini has entered a new stage of weirdness. A designer featured at the 13th China International Marine Fair and Boat Show in Shandong province this week promoted her “fourth-generation” facekini, a revamped version of the must-have beach accessory for women aged 45 and above in China.

Facekinis have been around for almost a decade, but the general public was only clued in to their existence a few years ago, when images of middle-aged swimmers in Qingdao rocking the garments made headlines.
Zhang Shifan (pictured above) explains that the craftsmanship of the first-generation facekini, made in 2006, was fairly rough. The tailoring of the second-generation was improved, and the third-generation facekini incorporated triangle-tailoring, making it easier to put on. Zhang says her fourth-generation facekini has been optimized by using designs of Beijing Opera facial masks, giving it a Chinese-style flare.


Zhang told reporters that the clothing article is in its trial run at the moment, but it will be mass produced in July.

Check out that fine triangle-tailoring.

The Beijing Opera facekini is currently on display at the 13th China International Marine Fair and Boat Show in Qingdao, Shandong province.


This isn’t the first time the garment has taken a fashionable approach. The facekini made its editorial debut last year in CR Fashion Book, a magazine started by the former Editor in Chief of French Vogue.

Last month, eight female models posed in facekinis for a photo shoot on a Hunan paddy field to promote Earth Day.

Unfortunately, we don’t imagine Zhang’s vision will hitting beaches outside of China anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean we’re not all eagerly waiting to see where the facekini will go next.

By Lucy Liu
[Images via NetEase]