Masquerade! Paper faces on parade...

Around this time of year, I always get the January blues - too many short, dark days and too much winter, cold, and snow (I wonder if people who live in warmer climates have this issue?).  I am a film lover and often escape with a good movie year-round, but during the dead of winter, this pastime almost becomes a necessary obsession.  I am also a lover of themes and like to watch "seasonal" movies (crazy, I know).  This includes films I deem "wintery" or those which are the complete opposite of winter, as a virtual vacation.  For some reason, I always have the urge to watch The Phantom of the Opera around this time of year...you have to be in the mood for that one and around about now it just feels right ;)

Anyway, this got me to thinking about masquerades in general and how that theme was often used in literature (think Shakespeare) as well as films and fashion.  I love the idea behind masquerades and masks - the ability to conceal one's identity and become someone or something else for a short time.  I also love the glamour and mystery associated with masquerades.  Wouldn't it be fun to have a masquerade party?!

Besides The Phantom of the Opera there are some other great masked moments in film:

Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette

The masked Audrey Hepburn deserves an entire blog post to herself:

Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

Audrey Hepburn in How to Steal a Million

And now for some gorgeous masks in fashion:

Vogue Latin America, Nov. 2010

Vogue Italia, Sept. 2009, Valentino

Vogue Italia, Jan. 2011

W Magazine, Mar. 2007

US Vogue, Apr. 2005, Annie Leibovitz, Drew Barrymore, Beauty and the Beast

                                                                         

Christian Dior Couture, Spring 2011

Jean Paul Gaultier Couture, Spring 2011

Vogue Paris, Oct. 2010, 90th Anniversary Issue

 Vogue Paris 90th Anniversary Party via: Trendland and Front Row View

British Vogue's Fantastic Fashion Fantasy, Dec. 2008, Secret Ball by Karl Lagerfeld

Edmonton Fashion Week, 2009, beautiful and talented model Jessica Yee, designer Corinne Monique :)