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Archive for January, 2014

Peacock Masks make a Peacock Wedding

One of my favourite wedding themes has to be the ‘Peacock Wedding’

Not only does it work well for all seasons, but you have a choice of going for an elegant white peacock theme with just a hint of blue peacock tones,

white pearl masquerade peacock wedding cakepeacock shoeswhite peacock wedding invitationwhite peacock wedding dress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

….. or a full on peacock theme with rich teal & mixed blue tones in all your wedding accessories (and even your wedding dress!)

Peacock Masquerade Bridal Wedding Masquerade Maskpeacock & diamante wedding invitationpeacock wedding cake peacock jewelled bouque

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course the most extravagant version of this beautiful theme is the:-

‘Peacock Masquerade Wedding’

where peacock themed masks in all different colours and shapes make for a fun wedding idea. The bride & groom might prefer to be the only ones wearing peacock themed masks so they stand out from everyone else (and can’t be ‘outdone’ on wearing the best mask!) but there are plenty of options with this i.e. you could just have the bridal party wearing masks or let your guests wear them in the evening instead. Have a look at these ornate Peacock Masks – some have been custom made specifically for weddings and others are available to purchase ‘off the peg’:-

Luxury Monsoon Peacock Jewelled Venetian MaskSilver Peacock MaskLuxury Men's Silver & Swarovski Crystal Peacock Feather Venetian Masquerade Maskspeacock masquerade cake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are also wanting your guests to wear masks, then why not factor them into your budget and provide your guests with simple peacock feather eye masks like these:

 

Couple's Silver Peacock Feather Eye MasksCouple's Black Peacock Feather Masquerade Masks

We can offer a discount for large orders on these masquerade masks as well as customising to your colour scheme – or making them simpler or more ornate.

It’s all about the Prom

Cinderella Story PromThe ‘Masquerade Prom’ is one of the most elegant, exciting and imaginative themes you can have for your Prom. It oozes mystery, giving the mask wearer more self confidence to shine on your night by ‘hiding’ behind your mask. Masquerade can also work with any theme as well as a stand alone theme ie. celebrity masquerade, themed colours, circus masquerade or a full on traditional costume masquerade.

Masquerade Prom Masks

As well as the year long search to find that perfect dress, you have the ability to wow your fellow Prom goers with a masquerade prom mask that is unique to you and compliments your whole attire. If your dress is highly embellished, then you might prefer something less OTT and choose an elegant & simple prom mask, leaving the focus on your gown.

Or, you can go completely over the top and have an elaborate prom mask, decorated with an array of feathers, embellished with pearls & Swarovski Crystals.

Of course when dressing for a Masquerade, it isn’t as simple as finding any old mask. It is all about matching your face to the mask – which is crucial to both shaping and contouring your face to bring the best out of your gown. The fuller Venetian mask shape, for example, like the many decorated Venetian styles at Masque Boutique, covers the eyes, cheeks and sometimes the nose for the ultimate disguise. For a woman who isn’t afraid to let her personality shine through, there are masquerade prom masks that are less traditional or which offer less coverage than other models; such as the range of ‘metal filigree laser cut’masks, or the simple eye mask which covers just the eye area (like the stunning Ice Blue & Crystal Mask below). (see our Mask Buying Guide for sizing)

Luxury Gold & Pink Baroque Jewelled Venetian Masquerade Mask - image by Tory Smith

Full Shaped Ornate Baroque Prom Mask

metal filigree laser cut masks

Pastel Ice Blue Silver Pretty Sparkly Masquerade Eye Mask

Domino style eye mask in various colours

Black & White Burlesque Feather Mask

Masquerade Feather Prom Mask

 

If you are struggling to match your Prom Mask to your dress, then here are some suggestions of how to go about it:-

1) Choose a darker, lighter or mixed tones that compliment your existing dress colour.

Bello Prom Cerise & Diamante Prom DressPink & Silver Feather Lace Masquerade Eye Prom MaskRoyal_Blue_One_Shoulder_Prom_Dress_IDNI2557_original_img_3029bellopromWomen's Calista Royal Navy Blue & Silver Lace Feather Venetian Masquerade Prom Mask

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Find a mask that matches the colour of your accessories or features of your dress:

Bello Prom dressesPetite Silver Sparkly Metal Flower Masquerade Prom Maskhigh-bateau-neckline-open-backed-full-length-prom-dress-uk-sizes-8-to-14-qpid-showgirlSilver Swarovski Petite Venetian Jewelled Beaded Masquerade Prom Mask

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Colour match: like this elegant white gown with our gorgeous white & swarovski crystal venetian mask

White Bello Prom Dress luxury Swarovski white metal filigree laser cut flora metal masquerade prom mask

Gallery for inspiration.

For UK prom dresses, perfect for your Masquerade Prom, try these companies:-

http://q-pid.co.uk

For US Prom Dresses, try these:

http://www.newyorkdress.com/

http://www.promgirl.com/shop/dress_by_event/prom

 

History of Venetian Masquerade Masks

Venetian Mask History

The influx of modern day masked balls, (now popular as wedding themes, masked prom balls and charity events), have all stemmed from a Venetian tradition which started as early as the 11th Century, becoming a regular part of life well into the 15th Century and peaking in the 18th Century.

The Venetian masks themselves were originally created for the ‘masques’ or shows/theatre depicting various characters such as ‘El Captiano’, ‘El Dottore’ and ‘Pantalone’ who represented arrogance, stupidity, and greed. The Venetian masks then became popular as everyday disguises where mixing with different social classes, romantic affairs and anonymity were needed. This led to the Mascereri (the Masquerade Mask Makers) being officially recognized with their own guild as Master Craftsmen in 1436.

The range of Venetian masquerade masks increased to include the well known ‘Bauta’ (which was worn by both women and men), the ‘Arlecchino’ (the joker) and the ‘Moretta’ (a full faced masquerade mask favoured by women and usually black in colour). Of course, venetian masks were not only used for disguises, but as practical solutions to the influx of diseases. The famous ‘Medico della Peste’ (Doctor of the Plague Mask) was designed with a long beak like nose which would house aromatic grasses or herbs, thought to ward off disease or infections.

medico_peste_maskAs mask wearing increased, so too did debauchery and crime. This forced a decree in the 14th Century, restricting the wearing of the Venetian masks to carnivals and special events only. One such event is the famous Venetian ‘Carnivale’, held every February/March in Venice and celebrated with street entertainers, masked balls, costumes and an abundance of gorgeous Venetian masquerade masks.

Back to modern day, the popularity of masked balls has been seen in literature, film and theatre, recognizing the important role ‘masquerade masks’ play in changing our lives for the short period of time we wear them. Films such as ‘Labyrinth’, ‘Mask of the Red Death’ (Edgar Allan Poe), ‘Casanova’ &Eyes Wide Shut’ (Stanley Kubrick), have all featured a masquerade ball of some description, and of course Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ (opening with a masked ball scene) couldn’t have explained the intrigue of a masquerade better than from its lyrics “Masquerade, paper faces on parade. Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you”.

modern_masquerade_stick_maskAs masked balls moved into England and increased in popularity, we see a change from the wearing of the traditional Venetian mask to more contemporary versions – suitable to our attire than of the complimentary period dress. However, a mask in any form, achieves what the Mascereri originally intended, that it be used as a way to be someone else for the time that you wear it.

Looking for a venetian mask or masquerade mask but don’t know where to start? Checkout our Mask Buying Guide which gives you information on the types of masks you can buy and how to measure your face for them.

Want to attend the Venetian Carnivale in Venice? Visit http://www.meetingeurope.com/costumes/costumes_index.htm for Venetian Carnivale information and costume/mask hire in Venice. The costumes aren’t cheap but for a special occasion, are definately worth renting.

Looking to buy a Genuine Venetian Mask or a Masquerade Mask? Well we stock a huge variety of masks that we both import from Venice but also make ourselves. This includes Men’s Genuine Venetian Masks, Women’s Genuine Venetian Masks, Leather Masks, Gorgeous Lace Masks, Venetian Metal Filigree Masks and Masked Ball Masks. To visit our full selection of Masquerade Masks, please click here.

Valentines Masked Balls

With Christmas & New Year over for another year,  the next big event has to be Valentines Day. What better way of spending the evening than to be whisked away to a romantic and glamourous Valentines Masked Ball by your beau!

Valentines Masked Balls are usually glam affairs and require Black Tie or period costume. We tend to think of the colour red when we think of Valentines, and a red masquerade mask would be a perfect way to accesorize a black, gold or silver outfit. Have a look at our red masquerade masks here but bear in mind that if you prefer another style on our website, we can of course change the colours of most of our masked ball masks to red or any other colour you require.

Here are a few ideas for the types of masquerade masks you could wear to a Valentines Masked Ball, keeping with the Red Mask colour scheme.

Luxury Red & Black Swarovski Crystal Bird Venetian Masquerade Mask fSerafina Red & Gold Venetian Feather Masquerade Mask

Handcrafted Red Leather Columbina Venetian Masquerade Mask

Red Joker Beethoven Venetian MaskRed & Black Gothic Rose Venetian Mask

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for some dress ideas? Then check out these gorgeous dresses, perfect for a Valentines Ball!

Valentines Red Dress by ElliotClaireshort red valentines dressromantic red valentines masked ball gownredroccoco18thcenturymaskedballgown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listed below are a handful of Valentines Masked Balls for 2014 that we have found listed for the UK.  If you have one that you want to add, then please send us the relevant link and we will update our list.

Hosting a Valentines Masked Ball? If you want to offer a discount code for your guests in return for promoting our website then please contact us

http://www.onecauseuk.org/events/2013-events/valentines-masquerade-ball/

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/experiences/valentines-masquerade-ball-info-275.html

http://www.deafhh.net/wp/2013/12/03/february-15-2014-game-of-clue-valentine-masked-ball-staunton/

http://www.perception-uk.com/news-blog/news-blog-articles/cassanova-at-carlton-towers-with-a-valentines-masquerade-ball.aspx

http://www.eaveshall.co.uk/events/queen-hearts-masked-ball

http://www.partyearth.com/london/parties/medieval-banquet-masquerade-ball-1/

http://www.raveguide.co.uk/component/ohanah/the-mayors-valentine-617811121609956.html?Itemid=140