Since we didn’t go to Carnevale in 2026, Kendra and I decided to throw a big birthday party for ourselves. Our birthdays are in the same week in February, and often in the past few years we’ve been in Venice so there’s no need for an additional party. So this time, we rented out Little Bird Bar in Oakland, hired an amazing DJ, and invited a bunch of friends. The costume theme was “Anything you would wear or have worn to Carnivale: commedia, twisted historicals, rockoco, thematic mashups, etc. Or add a mask to your favorite historical/fantasy costume or even festive cocktail attire … anything goes!”
Of course I could have worn something from my closet, but why not make something new? I wanted something goth, of course, and easy to dance in, plus using stash materials. Since I wanted a slightly open neckline, I modified the bodice of Truly Victorian’s 1883 Tail Bodice pattern to make an insert using some batty tulle a friend had given me. I also used the batty tulle for sleeves so it was light and airy for dancing (and repeating an idea from my renaissance vampire witch gown). The neckline was edged with a sequin trim from the stash (gifted from another friend). The rest of the bodice used purple and black silk leftover from my vampire masquerade ballgown.
For the skirt, I tried a few different ways to drape and pleat the fabric on my dressform and settled on a short style with pleats in the back and a front apron using the stripes in a diagonal point.
The final outfit:
I only got a few pix of the outfit at the party because I was having way too much fun!
Photo by Sandra Brenchley.
Photo by Sandra Brenchley.
The birthday girls!