A renowned local artist has designed a range of face masks inspired by Manchester in the hopes of giving back to the city he grew up in.
‘Maskchester’ is the collaboration project by artist Justin Eagleton and Lisa Morton – the founder of Manchester-based agency Roland Dransfield PR – and features a selection of face masks showcasing Justin’s bespoke designs.
The masks have been made “by Mancs, for Mancs, for the benefit of Mancs” and are said to illustrate “the great and the good of Manchester”.
Each face covering features unique designs that pay homage to the city, including the Manchester skyline, famous faces and places that make up Manchester’s distinctive culture, a Factory Records-inspired mask, and masks that show support for both Manchester United and Manchester City.
A portion of sales from the initiative will be donated to two worthy local charities – The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and Manchester MIND – with the overall aim of “giving back” and putting the city at the forefront of mask-wearing by promoting everything Manchester.
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The release of this collection of bespoke masks comes after face coverings were made a mandatory requirement in all shops and supermarkets in England from 24th July.
Speaking on the motivation behind the initiative, artist Justin Eagleton said: “I wanted to create something a little bit more exciting than the ordinary face masks, which would also have the added benefit of showing some Mancunian spirit.”
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“There has been a great deal of anti-mask rhetoric, so we wanted to do something slightly different that encouraged people to follow government guidance, whilst supporting two hugely important charities that have done so much to support people across Manchester.”
“We do things differently here in Manchester, and these designs show just what makes this city so great.”
Lisa Morton, CEO of Roland Dransfield PR, added: “Following the government announcement around the compulsory wearing of masks, we wanted to launch something that would benefit Mancunians,”
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“Working with Justin has enabled us to create some truly wonderful designs, which embody the spirit of Manchester and what we’re all about here. It’s great to be founding Maskchester in partnership with Justin [and] I can’t think of anybody more suited to the job.”
She continued: “The support we have received from the Manchester public since launch has been great. We’re looking forward to evolving and will be releasing more designs in due course.”
Maskchester masks are £10 each and you can get your hands on one here.
Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
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KFC have launched their own perfume – oh, and a new burger
Danny Jones
Fast food giants KFC have launched their very own perfume in one of the weirdest marketing stunts we’ve seen in a long while.
That being said, we definitely want a bottle.
KFC‘s fried chicken-themed fragrance launches next month and is fashionably named ‘No 11 Eau de BBQ’, a nod to their newest menu item, the Ultimate BBQ Burger, which we also want in our possession as soon as humanly possible.
The franchise’s new signature scent launches in just a week’s time and, yes, you can genuinely buy it along with the new burger for a limited time only.
The UK-only release actually sold out when it came to pre-orders but Brits will be able to get their hands on another batch when the second lot drops on 7 May.
Promising a charcoal and smoky wood-scented aroma that immediately transports you to your mate’s back garden as he turns cheap burger patties into overly blackened dry pucks of meat that you definitely would’ve cooked better if you were in charge, the stunt is also helping raise money for non-profits.
Available in 100ml bottles and for just £11, 100% of the proceeds of every sale will go towards the KFC Foundation, which supports grassroots organisations empowering young people to unleash their potential and build a positive future in local communities across the country.
As for the burger that inspired it, the special edition menu item is a nod to BBQ season gradually approaching and they’ve even made a nod to our famously reliable British weather and its attempts to derail the art of outdoor grilling in a new advert.
KFC perfume and a new burger? Christmas has come well early this year.
The Ultimate BBQ Burger has already launched and will be on the menu until 9 June, priced at £6.49 or £9.99 for a box meal which comes with the burger, a regular mini fillet, regular fries, BBQ sauce and a drink.
And don’t worry, it’ll be available on delivery too — we know we’ve had problems with that when it comes to specials in the past.
As KFC’s No 11 Eau de BBQ perfume, you can wait in the online queue like everyone else HERE and let’s just say you’ll be fighting us and plenty of other Mancs for every last drop.