Social Distancing Couture: Naomi Campbell, Erykah Badu wear hazmat suits amid Coronavirus pandemic
In times of health crises, like the Coronavirus pandemic that the world is experiencing right now, fashion definitely takes a back seat, as we prioritize our health and safety.
However, that doesn't mean that fashion cannot enter the picture or brighten up the situation a little. Recently, supermodel Naomi Campbell and American singer-songwriter Erykah Badu have both proven that people can use fashion to convey important and powerful messages, by wearing hazmat suits or, as Erykah fondly calls it, "social distancing couture."
CREDIT @Naomi (IG)/ CAPTION: Naomi Campbell rocking a hazmat suit amid the Coronavirus pandemic
Being the supermodel that she is, Naomi Campbell has been known to rock uber fashionable outfits whether it is on or off the fashion runway. But recently, photos of Naomi wearing a hazmat suit or hazardous materials suit during a flight went viral.
CREDITS: @Naomi (IG) / CAPTION: Naomi wearing hazmat suit, face mask, and gloves during a flight
In Naomi's YouTube video, she admitted that she was nervous to take a flight from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, as the Coronavirus threat continues.
She also revealed that she bought her hazmat suit from Amazon for $16, and pointed out that she's not trying to be funny. Naomi said, “In all honesty, this is not a funny time. It's not a humorous time. I'm not doing this for laughs. This is how I feel comfortable traveling -- if I have to travel. I'm trying to keep it at a minimum.”
CREDITS: @erykahbadu (IG)/ CAPTION: Erykah Badu wearing a social distancing couture
On the other hand, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Erykah Badu, who has always been known for her quirky, bold, and funky style, has made another memorable fashion moment when she recently received the Filmmakers & Soundtrack Award at the 20th Anniversary of the Texas Film Awards, wearing what she now calls "social distancing couture."
CREDITS: @erykahbadu (IG) / CAPTION: Erykah accepts award wearing social distancing couture
Erykah wore a customized white hazmat suit with spray-painted logos of Louis Vuitton all over it. She posted photos and a video of herself wearing her social distancing couture on Instagram, and warned her followers that the suit might not necessarily be used for protection against the Coronavirus Disease. Part of her caption read: “I'm also here to correct any misconception that THIS suit will in any way protect one from the Coronavirus.”
Hazmat suits: The future of fashion?
At the moment, there's no actual study that proves that hazmat suits can effectively protect you from the Coronavirus Disease. But who knows?
Maybe Naomi Campbell and Erykah Badu will inspire innovators, such as fashion designers and scientists, to develop a real social distancing couture that can actually protect you from viruses and lets you stay fashionable at the same time.
Health and safety are of utmost importance, but if you can also be fashionable while staying safe, then why not?