# Elephantine Gas Masks The 'Olifant' by Tom Banwell May Be a Sneak Peek of Future Fashion By Amelia Roblin | Published 2010-09-09 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/olifant-by-tom-banwell References: [likecool](http://www.likecool.com/Elephantesque_gas_mask_by_Tom_Banwell--Steampunk--Gear.html) & [TomBanwell.deviantart](http://TomBanwell.deviantart.com/art/Times-Are-Getting-Desperate-178345406) According to the artist, "times are getting desperate," and the mask in this photo called 'Olifant' by Tom Banwell may become a wardrobe staple if society loses control. Suggesting that with global environmental negligence and increasingly [violent acts of terrorism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ukrainian-brand-rbtnk) (hence the rifle) are rising, 'Olifant' by Tom Banwell won't appear so ridiculous come the next generation...or worse yet, much sooner! The mask itself is a brilliant [steampunk apparatus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1) that looks as if it would safeguard the senses in the event of a very specific kind of catastrophe. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 70% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Humor](https://www.trendhunter.com/humor) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Steampunk Fashion:** The 'Olifant' mask by Tom Banwell showcases the trend of steampunk fashion in response to a potential future catastrophe. - **Emergency Protective Gear:** The 'Olifant' mask by Tom Banwell highlights the trend of designing innovative and stylish emergency protective gear. - **Fashion as Survival Tools:** The 'Olifant' mask by Tom Banwell reflects the trend of incorporating functional fashion elements that can protect against specific disasters. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion and Apparel:** The 'Olifant' mask by Tom Banwell presents an opportunity for the fashion and apparel industry to create cutting-edge protective gear with a steampunk aesthetic. - **Safety and Security:** The 'Olifant' mask by Tom Banwell suggests potential innovation opportunities for the safety and security industry to develop advanced emergency protection solutions. - **Creative Arts and Design:** The 'Olifant' mask by Tom Banwell demonstrates the potential for the creative arts and design industry to create unique and functional fashion pieces for future disaster scenarios. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Aerodynamic Filtration Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goa-face-protector.md) - [Future-Focused Air-Filtering Suits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voice-in-sight.md) - [Air-Blowing Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-mask.md) - [Connected Emotive Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/w3e-mask-expressive-emotion.md) - [Emotive Inflatable Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lian-mask.md) - [Protective Earthquake Response Shields](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/testudo-shield-and-helmet.md) - [See-Through Medical Device Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyberpunk-inhaler.md) - [Futuristic Robotic Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikeuchi-hiroto.md) - [Customizable Style Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rpur-fiit.md)