Coronavirus: Did Erykah Badu just invent 'social distancing couture' with her hazmat suit?

The flamboyant singer customised her protective gear in response to the spread of Covid-19

Erykah Badu wore a customised hazmat suit at the Texas Film Awards. Getty Images

This weekend, singer Erykah Badu wasn't taking any chances when she stepped on to the red carpet amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

As the coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, the flamboyant singer dealt with the threat in her trademark style, by stepping out in a customised hazmat suit.

Following the ethos of safety first, Badu arrived at an awards ceremony in the US clad in a suit covered in spray-painted oversized Louis Vuitton logos.

To receive the Filmmakers and Soundtrack Award at the Texas Film Awards, the unconventional singer dubbed the look “social distancing couture”, and teamed the suit with over-the-elbow gloves and feather fringed boots.

Created by Badu, 49, herself, the papery suit was sprayed in red and black logos from head to toe, and worn with an enormous LV shoulder bag as well as red eye make-up.

Born in Dallas, Texas, as Erica Abi Wright, the artist adopted the name Erykah Badu using the Egyptian word ‘kah’ for inner self and 'Badu' after her favourite jazz riff.

Known for her distinctive dress sense, Badu often prefers to cover her hair either with long wraps or hats. In this instance, she pulled the hood of the suit up over her head and teamed

it with a bandaged chin strap.

The singer isn't the first famous face to sport protective clothing in recent days – British supermodel Naomi Campbell was pictured last week travelling across the US while wearing a full hazmat suit, goggles, plastic gloves and a face mask.

The World Health Organisation has, however, advised that people only need to wear a mask if they are taking care of a person with suspected coronavirus. The WHO has also voiced concern that masks, goggles and other protective equipment were running out due to “rising demand, hoarding and misuse”.

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