Starting at 7 a.m. on July 3 in St. Louis and St. Louis County, face masks will be required in both indoor and outdoor public spaces when social distancing isn't possible. As businesses shift focus to respond to their consumers' needs, many have rapidly started the production of facial masks. Here are the local retailers selling St. Louis–made masks and how to get one.
Courtesy of Arch Apparel
Arch Apparel: Arch Apparel currently is on its second release of face masks. They have decided to allocate profits to the Gateway Resilience Fund, which aims to help employees and owners of bars, restaurants, shops, and other small businesses across the area disrupted by the outbreak. For their first release of face masks, a portion of profits was donated to Lunches for Clinicians–St. Louis, a group that is raising money to purchase meals from local, small businesses in the STL area and providing those meals for free to STL health care workers. Through this giveback initiative, Arch Apparel raised enough to provide 1,200 meals. Arch Apparel owner Aaron Park encourages St. Louisans to “help make our community safe by wearing masks in public and doing our part to help flatten the curve,” he says. Masks are sold for $25 in packs of 8 on their website.
Courtesy of Hello Dobson
Hello Dobson: These masks are made with 100 percent cotton in colorful Hello Dobson printed textiles. “We started selling them a week ago and have seen so much support locally and nationwide,” says founder and designer Blair Dobson. “We are excited to fill a need and also employee local women in manufacturing.” Dobson has built and trained a team of mothers who work from home exclusively for Hello Dobson. Hello Dobson donates one mask per purchase to local hospitals in need. Masks are $20 each and sold on their website.
Tharpe: St. Louis–based fashion designer Courtney Tharpe is offering three styles of pocket masks (face masks with an opening in the inner lining material in which to place additional filtering materials). They are designed to fit tightly around the face, to prevent outside air from penetrating the mask, while leaving plenty of space in front of the mouth to breathe. Masks are available in a two-strap style made of tightly woven but lightweight cotton denim, a single strap style made of a medical-grade, paper-like material that can be wiped down or placed in a UV sterilizer, and a kids’ style "Ninja Mask." All masks are available in two sizes. "I've had a lot of health care workers reach out to me saying that they don't feel protected in their hospital-provided PPE, sometimes even the N95s, so I wanted to create a mask with a really snug yet comfortable seal around the face,” Tharpe says. “My mask designs have been evolving for the past few weeks as I learn more, get more feedback, and wear them more often.” Masks range from $8–$18.99 and can be purchased on Tharpe’s website.
Courtesy of STL-Style
STL-Style: Looking to rep some St. Louis pride while wearing a mask? This storied T-shirt stop is offering masks featuring the St. Louis flag. They have been a hot item and the store hopes to be back in stock by April 22. “We chose to donate a portion of proceeds from these masks to Gateway 180 Homeless Services, since homelessness is such a prolific issue in St. Louis, and Gateway 180 has been a client of ours for several years,” says co-owner Randy Vines. The masks are $5.95 and can be purchased on STL-Style’s website.
Daily Disco: Daily Disco is creating limited batches of masks and will release new patterns with the next batch. For each mask purchased, the colorful retailer is donating one to an essential worker in need of one. For local shoppers who are interested in a no-contact pickup, they can use code 'local' at checkout to avoid shipping costs and be emailed when their items are ready for pickup. Masks are $15 and available on Daily Disco’s website with a limit of two at checkout.
Courtesy of Brandin Vaughn
Brandin Vaughn: Clothing designer Brandin Vaughn is making pocket masks from the scraps of his latest clothing collection. Masks have become a necessary source of income as his shop doors remain closed, but he realizes he is helping fill a need in the community. “I am focused on changing the world one stitch at a time,” says Vaughn. “I am grateful I can help.” The masks are $20 each or two for $30. Fabrics vary and Vaughn is taking orders by phone or DM on Instagram.
RF Home Co. by Rescued Furnishings & Designs: This Kirkwood home goods store is selling masks—ranging from fabric masks to sports-themed—on their website. In addition, the store is also selling bandanas. Masks range from $8 to $13; bandanas are $20.
Courtesy of the Cozy Shop
Cozy Shop: Although they are not making masks for public sale, Cozy Shop is making masks to donate to medical professionals. To help with the cost of materials for those donations, they are selling headbands (with or without buttons). There is also a form that medical professionals can fill out to request a button headband at no cost. Headbands are $24 and can be purchased on their website.
May's Place: Now vintage enthusiasts can accessorize their spring outfits with handmade masks from two local designers stocked at May's Place: The Rusty Bolt and Potion23. The Rusty Bolt's selection includes reversible floral and gingham prints made from vintage fabrics with options for elastic straps and adjustable straps. Potion23 offers a ruffled cotton option in a striking green white flower pattern, pink stripe, and a bold blue.
Descendant: The clothing and lifestyle brand, which opened its first own brick and mortar in Webster Groves at the end of February, is known for slow living and soft, timeless color palettes, and the same is true for its new mask offerings. Theirs is an organic cotton gingham in coral, yellow, and green, with sizes for adults and kids. Currently, their whole store is online only with free shipping on all orders.
Garden District STL: Garden District STL on South Grand recently started carrying handmade vintage cotton fabric masks in various prints by Alexis Giger, who began making masks for friends and frontline workers the day after she was laid off in March. “As demand ramped up, so did my creative drive,” she said. “I started experimenting with new materials and shapes and started making pieces that felt more personal. Since I can't hug my friends and be involved in my community in the ways I'm used to, I'm glad I can use my design background to show I care and to keep them safe.” Each mask is designed with tie-straps for easy adjusting. Shoppers can see them in person through private shopping appointments from 12 p.m–5 p.m. by calling or emailing ahead. Giger's masks are also available in a limited-edition indigo tie-dye version with Lusso and 2Lu, in partnership with the Gateway Resilience Fund.
Eclectica STL: Eclectica STL showcases handcrafted and artisanal work from artists around the country. Their masks are fully washable and handmade from three layers of your choice of cotton or bamboo. Buyers can indicate basic color preferences for their mask design. Masks are $5 and can be ordered for contactless pickup or delivery on their website.
Bespoke: Dorothy Jones is a pattern maker/draper who sources materials globally at Bespoke. Her shop is producing washable, double-layer cloth masks with a removable interior filter that blocks 95 percent of particles .3 microns or larger. They come in different sizes and a wide variety of fabrics and designs. Masks start at $15 and can be purchased on her website.
Well Made Workshop: Well Made Workshop offers their original face mask, which is made out of organic cotton and is washable. The box-pleated design and adjustable ties fit all faces. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Show Up For Cherokee Street, a campaign to raise money for employees and owners of small businesses on Cherokee Street who are out of work. Masks are $16 and can be purchased on their website.
The Collective Thread: The Collective Thread is a non-profit organization with a local mission that empowers women through work. The business is divided into a small-batch manufacturing company and a sewing school that teaches immigrant women a skill that will help them in the US and Africa. They offer adjustable masks for children and adults, and for those with impaired hearing. Masks start at $26 and can be purchased on their website.
Crimson Serpents Outpost: Crimson Serpents sells handmade leather goods, premium denim, clothing, and accessories with locally sourced materials. Every product is cut, dyed, embossed, painted, and stitched by hand utilizing traditional and modern methods of leathercraft. They offer a wide range of face masks in different sizes, fabrics, and styles. Their indigo face masks are available in three styles: African indigo batik, indigo golden waves, and organic indigo raw denim. Masks start at $2 and can be purchased on their website.
