Welcome to the Masquerade!
When we think of those held in Europe, fancy wigs and masks on a stick and brocaded coats and dresses may come to mind. These kinds of events were often a way for the people who were used to a strict society to let down their hair a little. Some may have been a little rowdy according to our standards today, but when you're trying to drown out some bad times, such as the Black Plague, perhaps that was okay occasionally! Later,
Elizabethan masquerade masks
would have been worn in Shakespeare's time and fashioned on
Italian masquerade masks
. Learn how to make your own masquerade mask Italy and Venice were the site of many an opulent ball, no doubt. One hopes that revellers didn't have one too many cognacs and totter out into the night and fall straight into the canal! Fancy ball gowns back in the day probably took a very long time to create by a seamstress and she may have worked full-time on a dress for her mistress. Fancy dresses back then were probably adorned with many accessories such as bird feathers and pearls and jewellery, if the person was well off. It must have been a glittering sight under the candelabra and chandeliers on a warm Summer evening. Speaking of chandeliers, those who have seen the Phantom of the Opera will remember the chandelier near-catastrophe every night. Theatre companies would have to make sure that a major prop like this looked great, but had no chance of either actually falling, or losing some of its expensive pendants. The Phantom's look and mask makes a great costume. People know the phantom mask quite well because of the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical. Many people in audiences all across the globe have cried when Christine took off his mask, and then recoiled in horror. Still on a musical theme (but considerably more up-to-date), have a look at the Scandinavian, metal band:
Evil Masquerade Always check that you can see out of your mask, so you don't step on the hem of your fancy ball gown. Participants to these balls wore fancy dress costumes and masks - they were popular in Italy during the 16th century. Guests liked the 'fun' aspect of not knowing who the mysterious figure behind the mask was, which often led to romantic speculation and rivalry! Gradually, the tradition spread across Europe and the rest of the world. Surprisingly, the idea of a masked ball made a resurgence in North America from the late 1990s and is still popular today. There are novels, musicals, costumes, masks, bras, games, tattoos, art, cakes, jewelry, paintings and ornaments! This page is your 'doorway' to information and products that you can use/buy if you are thinking of throwing a party or are attending one. Hope you find something useful! Also, have a look at Tragicomica , a traditional mask making shop in Venice where you can buy or rent masquerade costumes and masks. Click on the images below to visit the relevant pages. 
Italian/Venetian Ball Masks
Costumes
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Halloween Costumes
