Facekini arrives on international fashion scene

A model wearing a facekini poses for CR Fashion Book's fashion photo. (Photo: nandu.com)

(ECNS) -- The "facekini," a popular piece of swimming gear in China, has caught the attention of the international fashion world thanks to Carine Roitfeld, former chief editor of Vogue Paris.

Roitfeld released a facekini-themed photo shoot titled "Masking in the Sun" in her magazine CR Fashion Book.

A facekini is a fabric mask that covers a swimmer's entire head and neck, with holes cut out for eyes, nostrils and mouth.

It is widely seen in the coastal city of Qingdao during summers. Most wearers of facekinis are middle-aged women who like swimming but don't want to their skin to get dark.