After a week of the Canberra mask mandate, many have embraced the requirements by investing in a reusable mask.
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We spent yesterday morning in Dickson speaking to residents who've taken it one step further by sporting interesting and unique designs.
![From Left: James Rogerson, Francis Ford, Ben Janssens, Omary Omary and Geonho Park. Picture Karleen Minney. From Left: James Rogerson, Francis Ford, Ben Janssens, Omary Omary and Geonho Park. Picture Karleen Minney.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/139706199/7f3c7a19-1c26-4ddd-8493-a980df975ffc.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"I'm all about fashion, I've spent $120 on a mask," said Francis Ford.
"Using masks as a fashion accessory has been a big thing in Japan for a while now, I'm glad we're catching up," he added.
"I'm not wearing it today, it's too nice to wear to work," said Mr Ford.
![Alex Scott. Picture: Karleen Minney. Alex Scott. Picture: Karleen Minney.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/139706199/a79ce670-7234-46a8-b4e5-b3e19fb0b7c6.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"My girlfriend bought me this one, it's designed by a Melbourne-based artist," said Alex Scott.
While fashion was a popular reasoning, some remembered the adage that there's nothing better than homemade, sporting masks made by mum.
![Kate (Of Campbell). Picture: Karleen Minney. Kate (Of Campbell). Picture: Karleen Minney.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/139706199/0d39aefe-75e5-43fc-be0d-de73af501833.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"My mum made it at the start of the pandemic, it's come in handy now," said Kate, of Campbell.
![Maddie and Jason Tan. Pictures: Karleen Minney Maddie and Jason Tan. Pictures: Karleen Minney](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XBxJDq6WLub2UphQ8wEq23/c04c3cb6-e988-497a-b2aa-87cf5bdfc8dd.png/r0_0_1800_1012_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"My mum makes them, we've got a bunch!" said Maddie Tan.
"She makes them constantly, she donates them to the local church," her father, Jason Tan added.
![Ama Mobyakom. Picture: Karleen Minney. Ama Mobyakom. Picture: Karleen Minney.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/139706199/d8818009-f50c-443c-85e7-84601d30cfa1.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Many local artists have embraced the pandemic demand for masks, designing their own. You can read more about where to get a mask from a Canberra artist or how to make your own here.
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![Jake Boulding. Picture: Karleen Minney. Jake Boulding. Picture: Karleen Minney.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/139706199/bbf4423a-bc58-4dac-888e-a93bc17b81cf.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Others may have been wearing fun designs, but were just happy to have a mask, given the often short supply.
"I bought mine online, it was the one that was going to get delivered the quickest," said Jake Boulding.
![Claire Cruickshank. Picture: Karleen Minney. Claire Cruickshank. Picture: Karleen Minney.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/139706199/12085c68-21b8-45bd-ba9f-c49fb42232a8.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"I've had mine for a few years, I have asthma and I was in India at the time so I had to get it then, it's come in handy to have now though," said Claire Cruickshank.
Like those who were happy to have a mask, plenty of people prefer a reusable mask instead of a disposable.
![Sunni Ahmed. Picture: Karleen Minney. Sunni Ahmed. Picture: Karleen Minney.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/139706199/28392c7c-d7b0-4e95-b128-cbb12b2cd811.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It's washable, it's reusable, and much warmer than disposable masks!" said Sunni Ahmed.
So what motivates Canberrans when it comes to choosing their face attire?
![Jack Hyland. Picture: Karleen Minney. Jack Hyland. Picture: Karleen Minney.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/139706199/70da2091-f349-48d5-805a-c04fe0a2c25f.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"I just got mine! it's reusable, washable and I can breathe much better," said Jack Hyland.
![Cameron Smith. Picture: Karleen Minney. Cameron Smith. Picture: Karleen Minney.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/139706199/e93197e2-0169-481c-82d3-2e0a9c8c7884.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It's much better to wear with my glasses than the disposable ones," said Cameron Smith.
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