Design Free Thursday // Face-kinis by Peng & Chen.

I know what you’re thinking – WTF dude. Fair enough. But with the holiday season coming up, and harsh Australian sun doing what it does, I just wanted to take a moment to warn you about the importance of taking care of your skin while you’re sunning yo asses on the beach during the Christmas break. So without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to the latest trend in swimwear for Chinese women – The Face-kini. Btw, this is not a joke you guys – this shit is 100% legit.

Artist Peng Yangjun, one half of duo Peng & Chen (the creative directors and editors of The Outlook Magazine) — documented a recent fashion craze along Eastern China’s coastal city Qingdao. In order to protect their face from the sun, many bathers, mainly women, have started wearing these attractive protective head masks.

Unlike the crazy white people who are all about the perfect tan, Asian women prefer to have natural pale skin, as bronzed complexion is associated with those doing physical labor and working outdoors. In fact, not only do these puppies protect your skin from unwanted sun pigmentation, the Face-kini allegedly also helps to repel insects and jellyfish. I would also add “men” to that list, which makes the Face-kini a perfect all-natural method of contraception. Winner!

[Photos © Marco Ugolini, via iGNANT.]