Face masks, Hunan style

As one of the top four Chinese embroidery arts, Hunan embroidery has a history of at least 2,000 years. Xiangxiu artists use silk thread for their pictures, and patterns based on Chinese paintings.

"It's a combination of traditional art and modern fashion, and it's suitable to be used in summer when people want to feel cool while protecting themselves from infections," said Zeng Yingming, president of the Hunan Provincial Folk Artists Association.

The masks began to gain popularity in February, when the maker donated some of them to customers in Japan and Australia.