The ‘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)
Full Shaped Ornate Baroque Prom Mask
metal filigree laser cut masks
Domino style eye mask in various colours
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.
2) Find a mask that matches the colour of your accessories or features of your dress:
3) Colour match: like this elegant white gown with our gorgeous white & swarovski crystal venetian mask
Gallery for inspiration.
For UK prom dresses, perfect for your Masquerade Prom, try these companies:-
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.
As 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”.
As 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.
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.
Looking for some dress ideas? Then check out these gorgeous dresses, perfect for a Valentines Ball!
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
And that isn’t all folks! Remember ‘A Cinderella Story’? Many a youth was spent dreaming about that beautifully delicate white lace eye mask that Hilary Duff sported; now you too can have your own Cinderella moment by indulging in our version of “A Cinderella Story mask”, which has been created by us and is decorated with Swarovski crystals and comes in Ivory, Black, White or Silver. (other mask colours by custom order)
Closer to home, are the ‘Made in Chelsea’ clan who, every year, seem to hold a Masked Ball. This year it was host Mark Francis who’s ‘Black & White Masked Ball’ theme paved the way for a scene of stunning masquerade masks & venetian masks in said colour scheme. Elegant masks of metal filigree laced with Swarovski crystals and hand crafted genuine venetian masks were supplied by us (read the full blog post & links to all masks here)
Back onto the ‘Step Up’ theme, this mask – modelled on the one worn by Camille Gage in “Step Up 3D” – is made of a black veiling which is covered in swarovski crystals and finished with a black trim across the top. This Step Up Mask is made to order and is available by clicking the link on the left image.
Seen a celebrity masquerade mask on film or on screen that you can’t find to buy? Then please contact us to see if we can make something similar using our Custom Mask Design service.
For those of you who have a masquerade party lined up, be it for Christmas or New Year, the Masked Ball is the most extravagent of events. Setting the scene of glorious ball rooms filled with fairy lights, dancing candle flames and shimmering gold & silver decorations, it is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of your surroundings by adorning yourself with an elegant gown and a beautiful masked ball mask, dressed with jewels, Swarovski crystals or glitter, that will sparkle throughout the night.
If you are looking for a unique, luxury masquerade ball mask to go with your outfit, then here are some suggestions that we put together for you.
The ultimate Black & Gold themed Masquerade Mask Outfit: (below, left) – this collection features an amazing Oleg Cassini beaded evening dress, matched with Alexander McQueen Embellished Wedge Pumps, Miguel Ases fan drop earrings and the must have, Swarovski Crystal Metallic Gold Bird Venetian Masquerade Mask (designed by us, of course!)
The ultimate Masquerade Swan Mask Outfit:
Our beautiful, extravagent Limted Edition “Luxury Swan Mask”, adorned with Swarovski Element Clear Crystals, black beaded lace & an array of black feathers, is a perfect match for this divine Alice & Olivia Jessica Beaded Lace & Feather Peplum Gown. Complete the outfit with matching Swarovski Crystal element Cinderella Platform shoes.
Feel like a splash of colour this year? These masked ball masks in purple & navy blue might just be your style:-
The Ultimate Purple Masquerade Mask theme (below, left):-
This elegant Q-pid Showgirl Chiffon Dress is teamed with Nina Nina Elizia embellished shoes and our Samara luxury jewelled venetian masquerade mask (which features mixed purple feathers, diamante decoration and genuine Swarovski Crystals on the side). This purple masquerade mask can also be customised with extra feathers, stick or made in a different colour.
The Ultimate Peacock Themed Masquerade Mask Outfit:-
Peacock masks are very popular and as luck would have it, we offer a large range of peacock masquerade masks & peacock venetian masks. This collection shows one of our Luxury Peacock Feather Masquerade Masks, (which is embellised with Swarovski crystals & a silver diamante peacock) aside a gorgeous navy blue evening gown (by Fox Gown) & silver evening shoes.
This particular mask is handmade to order & comes in many colour combinations. If you have a smaller budget, then we do offer other peacock masks.
The ‘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.
