Edited by author 04-21-2003 01:42 PM
Looks like a photoshop job.

Biggest telltale (though not the only one) the pattern doesn't distort consistently with the shadows and highlights, or in tandem with the 'wrap' around the face. This is, in fact, fairly difficult to do by hand, and time consuming to do with a 3D modelling program, so it's not surprising that people making alterations such as this tend to punt on the issue.

In this case, I think *some* effort was expended on this, but it is exaggerated in the wrong ways (ie. the pattern elements seem to grow and shrink, rather than just being compressed in one direction or the other).

I agree entirely but I could not resist posting it as it bought a smile to my face. We all know a mask only lasts an hour or so before they have to be thrown away and now we are getting into summer they get wet in 5 minutes which makes them useless.

It goes back to the original rumour that LV were selling a mask for HK$1800 (about US$200) which was not true. LV did say they had had many inquiries from Hong Kong's notoriously fashion concious crowd.

The photo is certainly a hoax.

see http://loveandcasinowar.com/blogarch/000055.php for before and after photos.

The fact that anyone actually thought this was real makes me weep for humanity. Same with those Japanese "see-through" dresses. This is high-level Fark photoshopping, nothing else. Ahh, cynicism and bitterness, the answer to avoidance of any solutions.

Perhaps Snopes should have a "Spot the photoshopping" tutorial or something? Or somebody else, so I don't have to deal with people actually thinking such things are real.

While the photo is dodgie, there are knock off masks available in Hong Kong in Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and a variety of anime

...you haven't seen yet? Have a look http://www.frankestine.com/

 - really look around though.

-23

Well if you can get Burberry dog coats in a dozen sizes, why not Louis Vuitton SARS masks?

And do dogs have to be size 8 to be models, like women do?