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SF Costume Designer Turns Layoff Into Face Mask Business

Laid off during COVID, local designer turns love of fashion and fabric into a successful business.
By - posted 8/12/2020 No Comment

Thanks to ABC7 for letting us know about a San Francisco man has turned his COVID-19 layoff into a thriving face mask business.

Michael Petri is a San Francisco costume designer that was laid off during the shelter-in-place order. The pandemic did not stop his love for fashion and fabric and weeks later he invested $1,000 to buy supplies and opened The Mask Shop, a now thriving face-covering business.

He makes contoured masks (with more mouth room and narrowed sides), pleated masks and gaiters and can make adjustable ear loops or head/neck straps.

You may visit his shop located at the garage below Poesia Restaurant in the Castro (4070 18th St. between Castro and Noe – Closed Mondays) or order online via his Facebook page. 

Masks are made of a variety of fabrics including cotton, wool, sequins (how very San Francisco!), Italian silk, African prints, handmade for San Francisco artists. They have masks in Kids, Small, Medium and large and also do custom fittings if you’ve been having a hard time finding a mask with the perfect fit. Prices ranging from $6 – $26.