The carnival in Venice started on the eleventh of February and continued to Mardi Gras.
San Marco Square is the home base, it was packed from sunrise to moon set.
They came, young, small, old, round, full of ruffles and lace, pink lips, buttoned down shoes, smiling, laughing, playing the part…
Taking me away, it was a wonderland of delight.
One after another, each person was a feast for the eyes.
Children at the Venetian carnival were beautifully angelic…
San Marco Facade…
sets the tone.
Always dressed for the occasion.
One could never be over dressed with San Marco as the backdrop.
She curled her hair-
Adding a tiny pink hat-
Tied a piece of purple netting for a mask-
Grab a mask-
Add a feather-
Tie a lace bow to your shoe and go!
Beckoning,
one to step out in style…
and if you dare not- A blue rhinestone frog might come along, hop hop hop-
Pushing us to
LEAP into style!
I looked down at my black boots, I felt like kicking myself!
After being at the carnival I could understand the likes of Katy Perry's blue hair, Lady Gaga's style, and Christian Dior.
We are on life's stage, what role do you take?
The Venetian woman was as delicious as a pink candy.
You might say she was a sweeter take on, "A Lady in Red."
Cotton Candy.
And why not celebrate each moment?
Note the cuffs!
Nothing is too much… does that make sense?
It was breath taking-ly beautiful, wherever my eyes looked.
The details, the hours spent on making these costumes.
Not only Venetians came dressed up by also I met many
Americans, French, Japenese, Austrians, Germans, English and of course Italians!
Rich details some in royal blue velvet and playful feathers.
Floating around
tempting me to eat more Frittelles than I should
was Marie-Antoinette and her pink satin cape.
Marie-Antoinette…
Note the guillotine on top of his hat.
Note the tray of brioche.
โPancia mia fatti capannaโ
(In Italian that means- "Please tummy, get as big as a hut!")
Lace cuffs are a must. Lacey layers … extra plus.
It is in the details.
I stood in awe at the craftmenship of the costumes.
Some of them took over a year to make.
Finding the right button, trim, lace takes time too.
A classic hand painted Venetian mask.
This costume's hat piece was about five feet wide.
A couple at the Venice Carnival, in their hand made costumes.
Daily, hourly events happened on San Marco Square-
Costume contests,
Music, animations, floats, children's parade, mask balls, confetti….
Most of those in costumes stand still, strike a pose, allowing photographers to take their photos, and talk to them about their costumes.
The Venetian costumes details: Trims, lace, buttons, fabric… are often vintage which gives the costumes an authentic look…. More so than not the costumes are antiques….
I felt like I had gone back in time.
I expected to see the classic Venetian masks…. but I didn't expect to see the 18th and 19th century style costumes.
I felt like I was living the brocante!
Red gloves… Now that is a splash of color straight from the vaporettos!
….High priests to remind you that this is a feast celebrating Christianity.
The back streets of Venice.
I have many photos which I want to share with you….
So without further ado here are some of the elaborate details, and my favorites costumes from: The 2012 Venetian Carnival…..
Doses of beauty filled the air.
The woman above came to the carnival from Kansas. I asked her HOW did she manage to bring her costume, that had 79 little statues on it. She told me she stuffed it in a suitcase and had room to spare.
I gotta learn how to pack better.
Most people who dress up for the carnival have three or four costumes.
This was Marie Antoinette earlier in the day.
He was brilliant as a film diva!
Litttle Red Riding Hood. Her parents stood her on a marble bench by San Marco. Hundreds of photographers snapped her photo in five seconds, then her parents took her down, because she was scared.
Walking around San Marco with a big hat.
Walkin around San Marco with a little hat and a lace mask.
๏ปฟ
A group of friends from France.
The Pink Man I loved him.
I have a few more (thousands) to show…. then I will be back to normal life.
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