From Necessity to Accessory: Sophomore Makes Masks Stylish
Sophomore takes advantage of mask requirements by starting her own brand.
Fashion design student Elizabeth Muth, '23, is using her design skills and creativity to make unique masks, helping students show off their person style while protecting the community. Source: Elizabeth Muth ‘23
Fashion design student, Elizabeth Muth ‘23, has taken advantage of what some might call a restrictive enforcement. Muth jumped on the business opportunity by turning masks into glamorous accessories for her brand, Monty’s Masks.
Crafted by hand from unique fabrics and individualized accessories, Monty’s Masks offers a personality-filled way for students to follow Marist’s guidelines while also looking good.
Marist College is vigilantly monitoring the safety of its community by enforcing strict safety protocols including the requirement that all individuals on campus must wear masks inside and outside of the classroom.
Source: Elizabeth Muth ‘23
These safety measures have introduced an entirely new culture to campus: mask culture. Only six months ago, masks were not a part of students’ wardrobes. Now students are showing off their personal style by accessorizing their outfits with unique face coverings. Whether the masks are reflective of a social movement, a club or organization or simply a favorite sports team, Marist students are covering it all.
Muth’s small business started at the beginning of lockdown, when she made over 100 masks for local hospitals. Muth’s designs are unique in the material she uses. Shopping for fabrics was difficult during lockdown, so Muth began to make masks out of old denim for her friends and family. “I realized I had some thrifted clothing I never wore, so I made it into masks and everything took off from there,” she said.
Another unique element to Monty’s Masks is its incorporation of jewelry, which Muth hand-sews into her products. This idea was inspired by a friend who had put a couple gold chains on her own mask.
“The next thing I knew, I was at Michaels buying everything in their jewelry aisle,” Muth said.
Although Monty’s Masks is focused on making each product unique and full of personality, like Muth herself, the business is not all glitz and glam. Muth believes it’s important to acknowledge why masks are necessary in the first place and she does that in a couple of ways. She ensures that her masks are protective by utilizing quality, plant-based fabrics, which act like a filter when inhaling and exhaling. Muth also uses her business to give back to the community.
“There are two ongoing pandemics that are of equal importance,” Muth said, referring to the racial issues throughout the nation. “With each mask purchased, one third of the proceeds will go to one of three Black Lives Matter organizations: The Bail Project, Black Girls Code and the Autistic People of Color Fund.”
Monty’s Masks also focus on environmental sustainability. Muth limits fabric waste by using thrifted materials. Muth has certainly proven that one small business, and even one small fashion-forward mask, can lead to a big change.
Source: Elizabeth Muth ‘23
Along with support from friends on Instagram, Muth has received recognition on several platforms, including a feature in the weekly Marist newsletter and, most notably, an interview on her local town talk show, “The Morning Blend.“
“Since it’s so important to stay safe, we should all stay fashionable too right?” Muth said. “I want people to get excited to wear their masks.”