SECRETS OF CLASSIC SOIRÉES: MASQUERADE PARTIES

This is the first of a series where we learn more about classic parties over the years.  As we have said many times; At Newport Fine Linens we support the party.  As part of our encouraging people to gather and make fun memories we hope to inspire your creativity by learning more about how we have celebrated for centuries.  Masquerade Parties trace their roots back to carnival celebrations of Venice in the 15th century.  During the Venetian Carnival participants wore elaborate masks and costumes to conceal their identities, fostering a sense of mystery, social equality, and freedom of expression. This anonymity allowed people of different social classes to mingle without the constraints of social norms. By the 16th and 17th centuries, masquerades became popular throughout Europe, especially among the aristocracy.  Masquerade balls were associated with opulence and intrigue, sometimes incorporating performances or games to maintain an air of suspense.

Here in NEWPORT in the Gilded Age Mamie Fish hosted a Louis the XIV-themed masquerade ball at her mansion Crossways, complete with elaborate costumes and luxurious decorations. John and Jane Griswold of Bellevue Avenue hosted a masquerade ball in the home, the current Newport Art Museum after the Civil War to Reestablish Newport as a social hub in 1866. 

Let us help you Set the Tone for your Masquerade ball with sequined tablecloths and classic candleabras!