I’m still on a high from the 2023 Fêtes Galantes. This year’s theme was the Royal Wedding of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, which was held in 1770. Attending a historical ball at the iconic Chateau de Versailles is the pinnacle for most “Ballers”. Stop the eye rolls. You already know I love play on words!
Carnivale in Venice is the Mecca of historical and costume balls. The entire city is celebrating for two weeks! There are historic balls, masquerade balls, In 2019 I had the pleasure of attending Venice’s most elusive ball, Ballo del Doge at Palazzo Pisani Moretta, which is a palace situated along the Grand Canal.
TOP TEN TIPS FOR ‘BALLERS’
1. Dress the part! Forgive me, I am a purist when it comes to attending events especially in epic locations. Not all costume parties are created equally; therefore, your local costume shop may not be sufficient. Events such as Fêtes Galantes and Ballo del Doge are lavish, period events, which means more effort has to be made to find quality attire for these events.
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- Fortunately Ballo del Doge was created by one of the world’s premier, historical ateliers, Antonia Sautter. I decided to purchase the “Over the Top” all inclusive package which included the attire and admission to the ball. There are over hundreds of creations to choose from. In my opinion this is the best option because it eliminates transporting the large dresses and undergarments, ensures quality of the gowns, and guarantees compliance with the dress code. My red creation chose me. It was a masterfully crafted dream and specific to Venetian history.
- Have a dress custom made. For Fêtes Galantes I entrusted The English Costume Company (you can find them on Etsy) to design a gold inspired base dress. Greer is an angel. Due to timing I had to trim my own dress, which wasn’t that bad since I am proficient with a sewing machine.
- Buy or rent a gently used dress. First I would search for local shops in the city of the event. Other sources include Etsy, Ebay, Amazon, and Facebook marketplace. Beware of scams. I encountered one on the Fêtes Galantes FB Group. The person was a member of the group who downloaded a picture of a dress ironically from the The English Costume Company, yet was not able to provide additional photos of the dress.
- DIY! I am surprised by the number of people who design and make their own costumes. If you go that route I suggest you give yourself at least a nine months to acquire the materials and construct the garment.
2. Fancy Feet! Though I am a purist when it comes to appropriate attire I do cut some slack when it comes to footwear. Most of your time will be spent on your feet or walking on cobblestones, so it is critical to have comfortable shoes. Witnessing several ladies navigate the stairs of Versailles in stilettos was painful. The shoes were not comfortable nor period appropriate. Most of the historic dresses will hide your feet; therefore, I suggest ballet slippers or closed-toe flats that closely match your dress. Unfortunately, gentlemen do not have the luxury and they likely will be in heeled shoes.
3. All Hands On Deck! As a witness and victim I can attest you will need assistance lacing up the back of your dress. Since I was traveling solo, the team at Antonia Sautter helped me get dressed at the atelier. There are services available for the team to come directly to your hotel. Otherwise the hotel staff is usually more that accommodating to help. The lovely team at the Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace helped me get laced up and I will always be grateful.
4. I Got A Meeting In The Ladies Room! Unfortunately for women the line to the bathroom is even longer for these events considering some of the gowns measure up to three-feet across and a foot to the back. At the Ballo del Doge the champagne flowed freely and as a result I found myself attempting to back into the stall like a truck with a trailer. Seeing me struggle, a future friend and veteran baller recommend “I go from the front”. The straddle method admittedly worked like a charm. The unsexy option is to wear Depends or abstain from drinking! I have the utmost admiration for women during this time period.
5. Your Carriage Awaits! Due to the size of the dresses and the fact others will be going and going at the same time, it is advisable to arrange transportation to/from the event or book a hotel close enough to walk. The Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace arranged shuttles to the front entrance of the palace. For the Ballo del Doge depending on your location you could walk or take a water taxi.
6. Keeping Cool! The heavy attire, wigs, walking, and dancing keeps you steamy. Having a period fan and staying hydrated is a must. In addition, an embroidered handkerchief in your reticule or bosom will definitely come in handy.
7. Keeping Your Cool! I cannot count the number of times someone stepped on the back of my dress and I returned the favor t0 others. We politely offered our apologies and move on.
8. Eat up! Many of these events have food or hors d’oeuvres, yet this does not offset the spirits. I suggest eating before and during the event.
9. Strike a pose! If you plan on hiring a professional photography to capture you in your grand garb contemplate doing it the day prior or day after. It is not ideal to recreate the look twice but it allows plenty of time to travel to multiple locations.
10. Have fun!