2022 – Marie Antoinette in her garden

Since 1999, I have been traveling to Venice almost every year for Carnival. But a few years ago, I also discovered a wonderful festival at the Palace of Versailles near Paris.

“Fêtes Galantes” is always celebrated at the end of May or beginning of June in the Hall of Mirrors of the impressive palace. Here I show you my costumes for the occasion. Here, too, I choose themes and combine them with the style of the 18th century. Simply recreating historical costumes is too boring for me, so here, too, I push the boundaries of kitsch and fantasy. But I believe that’s what they would have done at court back then if the couturiers had had our materials and possibilities. Enjoy my ideas.

My first costume for the major international event “Fetes Galantes” (approx. 700 costume enthusiasts from all over the world meet at the palace on the first weekend in June) in the historic Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles was based on the dome pavilion in the gardens of Versailles, more precisely in the Petit Hammeau, Marie Antoinette’s summer house modeled on country life.

In the center of my wig sat Marie Antoinette at a set table under her pavilion.

She was surrounded by several large peacocks, which were so tall that their feathers touched the real crystal chandeliers of the Hall of Mirrors, which of course caused a sensation throughout the evening.

I made the dress from 40-year-old silk with a feather pattern in gold and earth tones.

The appearance was spectacular and was widely documented by the assembled press.