As the weather warms up and people get ready to hit the beach, it appears a new age of Australian swimwear may be dawning. 

 

随着天气变热，人们准备在沙滩上好好玩耍一番，澳洲泳衣的新时代似乎也将“破晓而出”。
 

 

The Face-Kini is shaping up to be this year's biggest summer trend, offering people a unique way to help prevent skin cancer. 

 

Originating in China and made from swimsuit material, the bizarre balaclava-style piece covers the user's entire head, leaving slits¹ for just the eyes, nose and mouth. 

 

The functional² fashion item was invented in Qingdao in 2004, to help Chinese women protect their delicate porcelain³ skin from the sun's rays. 

 

In addition the full-face covering also helps stop jellyfish stings and algae⁴, which has lead to its immense popularity in its home country. 

 

Developed by former accountant Zhang Shifan, the Face-Kini has proven so popular it can sell more than 30,000 pieces every year. 

 

And the fashion piece has even begun moving outside China's borders, with the item appearing in photo shoots alongside swimsuits from Gucci and Armani. 

 

The designer has continued to release new collections, with her 2016 set aiming to raise awareness⁵ of endangered animals. 

 

Among the prints chosen were those featuring giant pandas, alligators⁶ and Siberian tigers.

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