During the COVID 19 lockdown, while many of us reached for a life-time supply of ice cream or a bottle of rosé, Beckie Wilson reached for a sewing machine. And so, Face It, a company producing stylish, comfortable face masks was born.
Experts agree: there is no ‘right’ way to handle COVID 19, psychologically speaking. For many, hiding under the duvet during a global pandemic has been an entirely reasonable option. Some, like myself, have just sought to find a gentle routine. Others, like Beckie, frustrated by feeling unable to do anything, have used this time to start a new business and find a way to give back to their community.
Beckie is a self-starter and someone with a passion for people. “After finishing school at St Hilda’s Dunedin, I studied at Victoria University for three years in Wellington, followed by a Diploma in journalism at Massey” she explains. The young journalist then completed two years as a journalist at the Wairarapa Times-Age in Masterton, doing the rounds on the rural, environment, politics, court and council beat.
Before COVID 19 hit, she was looking forward to returning to Wellington and looking for a new job tempted by the lure of creativity, coffee and craft beer (“Promise, I’m moving back still”). “I temporarily moved back home with family after an eight months overseas-experience.” But what was meant to be a short-term visit quickly turned into a lockdown down-South.
While Beckie was back in her small town, Omarama, helping out, New Zealand suddenly went to ‘Level 4’. It caught Beckie off-guard. “I was supposed to move back to Welly (because I love it) the week of lockdown but, like many, became a victim of circumstance” she half-jokes.
Feeling helpless at being unable to contribute to the COVID 19 crisis, as she normally would have through her efforts as a journalist, Beckie decided that she would do something about it. “I had heard that there was a major shortage of face masks during COVID 19. So I started making face masks for people who wanted comfortable and stylish protection” she explains. “Fortunately, it was something easy I could do to help.”
Sewing isn’t a new skill for Beckie. “Ever since I was little I’ve been making things. Mum showed me how to sew on a sewing machine as a kid and I was always creating something” she explains. “However, I did get some help along the way, enlisting my sister to help design the logo and another mate to set the online order form up.” Just like that, Beckie’s online business was born.
Limited by the resources she had around her, Beckie was led her to raid her mother’s fabric stash. Mum, Karen Ward, is an interior designer, and had a workroom full of cotton, elastic, and a variety of fabrics at home. “I found these beautiful soft furnishing fabrics and they’re just so plush and elegant. People can wear something they are really proud of” explains Beckie.
Face It masks are double-layered using both tightly woven fabrics and 100% cotton, and are all lined with 100% cotton. Available for both men and women, with ‘one-size-fits-most’ Beckie has been found her self working day and night to keep up with product demand. “It's been surprisingly busy to be honest, I've made just over 600 masks for people all across the country. But more recently I have had so much interest from business wanting to be responsible and offer their staff masks now that we are in Level 2” she says. She’s even started making mini-masks for children.
Sustainable, re-usable and comfortable, the initial challenge of only being able to use fabric off-cuts has become a key product feature for Face It. “In a nutshell, I hand make, with the help of my mum, reusable, breathable fabric face masks using 100% cotton and 100% linen remnants” she says. “Face It masks offer a touch of style when it comes to basic health protection during the COVID-19 lockdown. We know masks aren’t that fun to wear, so we have crafted a socially conscious face mask to give you the confidence to 'wear one out'.“
Will life ever go back to being mask-free? Beckie believes it’s too early to tell. “I think Covid-19 has changed the way we as New Zealanders see health threats such as this, possibly for good” she says. “Maybe we need to adopt methods from countries in Asia where masks are frequently worn during ‘flu season. Education on masks is important - the right and wrong way of wearing them. They should be fitted firm across your face and ideally your should have three fabric ones. One to wear, one in the wash and one clean read to go.”
While Face It masks are, Beckie insists, not a medical product and not PPE certified, it is clear that the work Beckie is doing is having a positive effect on New Zealanders. She’s also helping the business community through COVID 19 by providing people with facial masks to protect themselves and their customers. It’s also helped Beckie by giving her the tools to give back and help out, rather than being anxious during COVID 19.
