will.i.am collabs with superhero costume designer to create XUPERMASK

‘who doesn’t want to wear the future,’ says XUPERMASK designer jose fernandez who’s known for creating superhero costumes for films like black panther and batman. fernandez’s most recent venture sees him team up with musician and entrepreneur will.i.am to create XUPERMASK, a futuristic-looking facemask that combines HEPA filters, noise canceling earbuds and mic, and an ergonomic fit.

XUPERMASK creator and founder will.i.am

all images and videos courtesy of XUPERMASK

the pair had already collaborated over the last few years but in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will.i.am reached out to fernandez with the initial concept for XUPERMASK. ‘when will came by and talked about this project, he asked if we were able to do this project with him and I thought yeah, it sounds really kinda cool. so, I thought if we’re going to wear a mask why not wear a great mask, something that will actually help you, help other people, and now filter fresh air coming in. I thought this is great, sounds really interesting. so, when he came with the initial concepts, which are very close to it, and I was just brought in to help sweeten it if you will, distill it,’ explains fernandez in a recent Q&A on youtube.

the mask includes HEPA filers and adjustable airflow control

so with a retail price of $299 USD, what can users expect from XUPERMASK? first of all the mask integrates replaceable HEPA filters made by tech company honeywell. active fan ventilation means that wearers can breathe fresh air in and out to avoid the stuffy mask feeling we’ve all become accustomed to during the pandemic. as reported by fast company, the integrated fans were a key element of the design to make sure the mask can be worn comfortably for long periods of time.

every XUPERMASK comes with a XUPERBAG

next up is the audio. XUPERMASK includes bluetooth earbuds with hi-fi quality sound, active noise cancellation and ambient sound mode. users can listen to music or walk and talk with the in-mask mic. the earbuds also clip to a magnetic docking system behind the ear when not being used.

XUPERMASK retails for $299 USD

the front of the mask features little function buttons and two circular LED lights, which help give the wearable tech its futuristic aesthetic. XUPERMASK is powered by rechargeable batteries and lasts up to 7 hours on a single charge. the product is available in two sizes and black and white colorways.

XUPERMASK is available in black or white colorways

speaking about whether facemasks are here to stay even after the coronavirus pandemic, fernandez told fast company,‘when this does go away, which it will, there will be other things that we have to deal with. it could be people with asthma who are worried about smog, or it could be somebody who has a cold and want to protect other people. or it could just be people who want to be more protected on an airplane.’

XUPERMASK comes in two sizes: S/M and M/L

‘with the idea of building something that people will consume and buy, a product that will perform, this is a whole new world and it’s really interesting and exciting to me to be a part of something real,’ says fernandez, who’s spent the past three decades creating iconic superhero costumes including batman, spider-man, wolverine, wonder woman, thor, black panther, and more.

the mask integrates noise canceling earbuds

fernandez continues, ‘this is like the future that you can own; it’s pretty amazing. it filters air in and out, it looks pretty cool and once you hit the light, it’s like, as they say, next level. who doesn’t want that? who doesn’t want to wear the future?’