Double Winner 2021!!!
I am the DOUBLE WINNER of the international contest of the “Best mask of the Venetian carnival 2021/digital edition on Instagram”!!!
The jury decided to give both of my costumes
“La Medichessa della Peste” and
“Gioia di vivere a Venezia”
the shared first main prize as best costume.
I wasn’t able to decide which one would be more appropriate and represent these strange times we live in currently and the jury thought the same.
It was fun (and very convenient cause less cold) streaming the presentation from our bedroom and livingroom, together with my son, who gave me company with his costume the “Lion of the Venetian carnival” and my dear costume friend who gave me company for many years, Daniela P. Marino, who brought the “Medichessa” to elegant life. And thank you to my husband for filming and technical support.
We are invited to be present on stage for the upcoming carnevale. And we all hope it will take place and not be cancelled again. So, if you happen to be in Venice then, please come and meet me at the stage! I plan to be in Venice for both weeks of carnival and am working on a VERY SPECIAL, AMAZING project for 2022.
La Medichessa della Peste, winning costume 2021
The Medichessa was built in 2015, was in the finale of the contest in that year, but worn again and again for different occasions. When the Covid-plague hit us all in 2020, I knew her time had come even stronger. I added a stick with a virus she pinched her weapon through and her glorious triumph became real at the digital edition of the contest 2021.
The sculpturesc skirt in shape of a skull I built on a gymnast ball. 10 Layers of carta pesta, 1 kilo of hot glue and strong wire were needed to give it a stable structure. To cut all ornaments out with a knife almost killed my hands, but the effort was worth it. Usually the fabric is the grand show, here it is the skirt itself. The lace mask with black and gold lace gives a spooky but elegant tough to the classical mask of the Dottore della peste. The wig was entirely built from black hair, also the tricorno and the Campanile. Sexy and photogenic and so a point with the theme. I have to admit, it is one of my all time favourites.
La Gioia di vivere a Venezia
Venice and it’s carnival has always also in the historical carnival centuries ago lived the Lust for Life to the fullest. Also my son added his youthful, innocent joy of life to this already voluptuous costume with his jumping around throwing confetti- called coriandoli in Italian – through our whole bedroom. I still find some in corners and lampshades almost a year after. He was so proud to be part of the winning team and it helped him a lot comping with the sadness of covid-lockdown. And Venice is also well known for its gorgeous, secretly hidden gardens. So I built this costume in 2018, initially to bring a bit of Venice to the Venetian fair in Ludwigsburg (bi-annual celebrations) where this costume had its premiere and was also very well received. People told me how much they loved the many details like the doll with music that turned on the top of my almost 1m tall wig. And the stunning shoes. And the watering can as handbag…and the very special hidden feature unter the rain of my costume…my buttocks that b(e)ared a tattoo that says: A life less ordinary. I also made lashes with flower leaves, an extra special make up. This costume is pure eye candy and celebrates the joy of life! And this is what we all need most in these sad, depressing times of social distancing and reduced opportunities to celebrate life. This dress is a remedy for the eye and soul, even if not to wear…. cause this is a real challenge with a wig of that size.
I personally think to have them both on the throne of the competition side by side is a perfect choice of the jury because it represents all that the Venetian carnival stands for and gives us hope, we will continue sharing creativity to the max. Worldwide and not just in Venice.
Viva carnevale, viva la gente, viva Venezia!
For 2022:
I am currently working on two stunning costumes. One for me personally and the other is a fantastic project that is still secret, so I cannot tell by now. Please follow me on facebook under my name “Tanja Schulz-Hess” and Instagram “I_am_worldofcostumes” for up dates. It will be amazing!
Since I am fully vaccinated I am planning to be in Venice for carnival and my project most likely the two weeks before ash wednesday, starting for me at St. Valentin and ends on March 3rd.
Hope to see you all there, vaccinated, safe and with lots of joy of life!
Sincerely, Tanja