A Venetian Masquerade Ball

It seems we never tire of mimicking the infamous parties of 18^th century Europe.  When the famous Ritz in Pariscompleted its most recent renovation Marie Antoinette-inspired images appeared in Vogue, Town and Country, and the New York Times.  It informed fashion, design and event planning; inspiring hostesses all over the globe to adopt the theme. I have dressed up as a lady of the court on many occasions, hosted a few salons at my home, and especially enjoyed dressing up at the Bal Poudre in Palm Beach, but I don’t dream of lying in bed wearing courtier couture while eating cake.  I’d prefer to dance the night away at a masquerade ball in Venice, where I’d arrive by gondola and enter a secret door that leads to a hidden castle.  Carnival activities, dancing, and yes, maybe even a little cake. It’s been a lifelong dream to attend one of these elaborate parties which were imagined long ago and held as early as the 15^th century.  

An invitation to a friend’s birthday celebration brought me to Tuscany for a weekend of festivities, and it just happened to coincide with another magnificent party I had been invited to.  The celebration was being arranged by renowned event planner, Carolina Santarelli, in partnership with Antonia Sautter.  This is an irresistible duo. Antonia famously created the Il Ballo del Doge, an international gala event of the Venice Carnival, described by Vanity Fair as “the most sumptuous and exclusive, famous and coveted social event in the world.”  

Preparations to attend the party were full of excitement and great anticipation. Several days before the event, guests were invited in for costume fittings.  As I entered a palatial room, overflowing with racks and racks of lavishly designed costumes my heart began to pound.  A long buffet table at the center of the room was draped in feathers, sparkling masks, jewelry and vintage hand mirrors.  I was greeted by a fitter, handed a glass of champagne and whisked into a dressing room filled with the dreamiest gowns, corsets and every manner of undergarment.  As friends arrived the champagne flowed freely, and we all became a bit more daring with our costume choices.  Even those who are normally shy found refuge and freedom behind their masks.  This was a day full of enchantment, fantasy and imagination. Choosing a costume, says Antonia, “…allows you to travel towards other realities, showing you a secret trait in your personality, often hidden in your daily life.”  

On the eve of the big gala my husband and I dressed (with the help of our fitters), and we did something we rarely do, we popped open a lovely bottle of champagne, turned up the music and danced around our room.  If this was our secret trait I wished we’d unveiled it sooner. We were escorted to our gondola and serenaded as we floated down canals, past ancient buildings, and under ornate bridges. We headed toward a secret destination that only our gondolier knew.  The stars were brilliant, the air crisp and I couldn’t help but wonder if I was dreaming. Upon arrival we were greeted by musicians, acrobats, more champagne and an abundance of hors d’oeuvres. Revelers frolicked in the entryway, greeting one another, and ascended the magnificent marble staircase to a lavish cocktail reception. Acrobats, jugglers and stilt-walkers dressed in courtier couture enchanted guests until dinner was served.  The tabelscapes were as glamorous as the costumes, sumptuous and inviting. Guests were seated at three long tables facing a center stage where the entertainment continued through dessert.  After a four-course dinner a confetti canon burst into the air, a DJ floated up from beneath the stage, tables disappeared and we danced the night away at a masquerade ball in Venice.