Masquerade covers a wide spectrum of costumes and ideas, from the grandiose celebrations for which Venice is famed, the grand masked balls of Georgian/Regency times and populist Carnivals, especially  Mardi Gras, celebrated around the world prior to Lent.

A Masquerade is predominantly about pretending to be something that you are not. Whether you do this by wearing a costume and a true mask, or alternatively a mask of make-up, the Masquerade offers an opportunity to act 'out of oneself' with a degree of anonymity (rather like fancy dress generally).

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We have examples of the costumes and masks seen at Venetian Carnival below and you can find more information on Mardi Gras here. For a wider selection of masks of other kinds, click the link below