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Archive for the ‘Masked Ball Ideas’ Category

Made In Chelsea Black & White Masquerade Ball

Well, last night I sat down to watch Made in Chelsea in anticipation of the indulgent ‘Black & White Masquerade Ball’, hosted by Mark Francis. The reason why I was especially excited to see this particular episode is that I had been asked to supply some masks for the show.

As always, the theme of Black & White is a popular choice for Masked Balls as it’s easy to style, always looks fabulous and elegant and even the budget masks can look much more exclusive than normal.

Below is a selection of the masks from the show. Some are limited editions so if they aren’t in stock, please do contact us to see if we can make something similar or order one in for you.

Made in Chelsea Alex in Leather masquerade mask Made in Chelsea Andy in fashion stepped mask Made in Chelsea Francis in Nose Mask

Black & White Venetian Leather Mask Made in Chelsea

Exclusive design by us, this Genuine Leather mask was worn by Alex in Made in Chelsea

Black Gloss Long Nose Venetian Mask

This genuine venetian made long nose mask is handpainted by us and was worn by Francis in Made in Chelsea

Deluxe Alternative Black Katherine Vampire Diaries Mask Made in Chelsea

Genuine venetian metal filigree mask with Swarovski crystals, was worn by Binky in Made & Chelsea

White Leather Phantom of the Opera Masquerade Venetian Mask

Exclusive design by us, this genuine leather handcrafted Phantom of the Opera mask was worn by Josh in Made in Chelsea

Bocca Black Venetian Masquerade Mask Made in Chelsea Jamie

Exclusive design by us, this genuine venetian base features a trim with antique devils face. Worn by Jamie in Made in Chelsea

Ascot White & Black Swan Mask

This mask was worn by one of the extras in Made in Chelsea. Swan design with handpainted swirls & roses. Designed by us.

Fashion Stepped Black Cutout Masquerade Venetian Mask

Fashion Stepped mask as worn by Andy in Made in Chelsea

 

 

 

 

 

May Ball Madness: the Mask’s the Thing!

Romeo & Juliet _ editedIf you’re shaking out your gown and dusting off those high heels ready to take to the floor at a May Ball this summer, you are in good company.

May Balls were the highlight of the Summer Season when the social elite of society came together to mingle. If you were a young lady of marriageable age you might even receive a proposal from a suitable young man!

May Week is a circuit of balls and garden parties hosted by Cambridge colleges in the week before final exams. May Ball Madness (How many can you go to?) kicks off on June 13th 2014 with colleges competing to put on the most extravagant and memorable events with headlining acts a well-kept secret until the night itself.

And… even if you don’t go to Cambridge, many other universities and colleges now host their own May Week Madness in June.  Go Google for tickets!

Hang On….Why Should the Grown-Ups Have All the Fun? 

Quite right too!

Along comes the Prom with its British Twist. UK teens took the name along with the theme, the glamour, the dress, the black tie, the heels …and of course the car. The Prom is the closing event of the year for students leaving high school, secondary school or college.

With the Masked Ball Themed Prom is increasingly popular – see my earlier Blog for some brilliant ideas for themes.

Do You Dare to be Different?

Not all summer balls are formal black tie affairs. Thankfully, many Charity Balls, May Balls and Prom Balls don’t have rigid dress code, so you can dare to be different. Masquerade Themes abound: colour, costume, style, drama and glitz are in…. and a touch of mystery will always set you apart from the crowd.

venetian bird mask [800x600]Take a trip to Italy to see how Masquerade masks and luxurious costumes add spice, excitement and mystery to the occasion.

Shakespeare’s famous lovers: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ met at a masked ball. While Juliet dances, her suitor Paris waits patiently. Then, Romeo, masked and with all the daring of a burglar, slides on to the dance floor, steals a dance with Juliet and captures her heart!

At Masque Boutique we can’t promise we will find your Romeo or Juliet but we’re certain  one of our masks will improve your chances!

Have a look at the Gallery below or browse our range for one of our Prom or  Summer Ball Masquerade Eye Masks to create your look: demure, daring or downright dangerous!

Can’t  see what you want then? Choose our Custom Service and we will adapt any mask you especially like to suit your preferred colour scheme.  We can decorate it with your choice of feathers,  flowers and jewels.

Try our Bespoke Design Service if you want something truly original and eye catching;  We will design and make something exclusive to you to match your dress or outfit…. and will happily do this with no design fee.

Enjoy your May Ball Madness

Tanith

History of Venetian Masquerade Masks

carnivale Discover the history of Venetian Masquerade Masks and Masked Balls and how they are back in vogue once more.

If you need an idea for a School Prom, A Summer Ball or a Fundraiser event then read on….

The surge in popularity of modern day Masked Balls, Masquerade Theme Weddings, College Prom Balls and Charity Ball events all stem from a Venetian tradition which started as early as the 11th Century. It was a regular part of life well into the 15th Century – peaking in the 18th Century.

The masquerade 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. They 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 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, 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. One such event is the famous Venetian ‘Carnivale’, held every February in Venice and celebrated with street entertainers, masked balls, costumes and an abundance of gorgeous masquerade masks.

Back to modern day, the popularity of masked balls has been seen in literature, film and theatre, recognizing the important role masks plays 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 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.

Visit http://www.meetingeurope.com/costumes/costumes_index.htm for Venetian Carnivale information and costume/mask hire in Venice.

We stock a variety of masquerade ball masks including some Men’s Traditional Half Venetian Masks, Women’s Venetian Masks, Genuine Handcrafted Leather Masks, Gorgeous Lace Masks, Venetian Metal Filigree Masks and Modern Masquerade Eye Masks. To visit our full selection of Masquerade Masks, please click here.

 

Bram Stoker Vampire Masked Ball

bram_stoker_film_festival

For those who regulary visit my Facebook page, you will know that I am to attend this years Bram Stoker Film Festival in Whitby – birthplace of the famous Dracula novel. Not only will I be running a stall selling some of my creations (including some special Gothic themed masks just for the event) over the 3 days, but I will also be creating some pieces for the Alternative Fashion Show which starts on the Thursday in lead up to the amazing event-filled weekend.

gothic_spider_web_metal_filigree_mask

Venetian Metal Filigree Gothic Mask – only £32.99!

Aside from all the independant films and shows lined up, the most exciting event I’m looking forward to is the Vampire’s Ball on the Saturday, which will be Masked!

Read More…

An 18th Century Masked Costume Ball

How to do 18th Century costume for a Masked Costume Ball:-

For those of you that follow my Facebook page, you will see that recently I attended a 3oth Birthday party in the theme of 18th Century costumes and masks.

It was an exciting event for me as the last time I dressed up in said period costume, was for my own Wedding in Venice. I really wanted this time to get my costume right and wear a wig – something I didn’t get chance to do for my wedding as they had apparently ‘ran out’ of them on the day. (Long story, but it was Carnivale time & very busy for costume hire!)

One month to go….

Luckily, I have the most wonderful seamistress who lives on my street. She only charges by the hour (a pittance if you ask me) and so after finding a gorgeous pattern for a Robe a la Francaise (i.e  the dress with the long train coming from the neck), I then bought some beautiful (albeit expensive) silk dupion in an Ice Blue colour and gave it to her to decipher to make the overcoat.an_18th_century_masked_costume_ball Read More…