Upcoming Event
MM Productions introduces Venetian Veil.
A masquerade being held at Carnivale Chicago on November 14, 2025. This immersive experience draws you into what feels like the early 1900s, indulging in 21st-century designs with a dark, captivating… modern twist. The only thing visible is a set of eyes piercing through the masks. What will you discover?
History Repeats
Masquerades were more than a gala filled with eccentric style. They were soirees curated to bring individuals together, combining all sorts of differences—gender, sexuality, race, and class. Masquerades found their place in society in response to the circumstances of their time.
As the collections and designs play out, one can witness the embodiment of philosophical caricatures, some being the characterization of dark thoughts, deeper selves, or even “mischievous” behaviors. It is a place to put on a mask and romanticize what is within, or even conceal it. Societal norms can cause repression within oneself. This night gives the audience the opportunity to use the gala as they wish: to shy away from who they are scared to be, or to brave the mask and be who they’ve always wanted to be, with an opulent shield protecting them from what society believes is unacceptable. This is a night of escape.
In terms of fashions, this era was a confusing but transformative one. As we moved away from the Victorian era and closer to the modern era, structured gowns, societal standards, and gender roles began to loosen. People abided by societal norms, assimilating and dressing according to their gender and what was deemed appropriate for their appearance. If they did not, they were not accepted into society and were perceived as an “other.” However, as we got closer to the modern era, self-expression was praised, and so was freedom to some extent.
At masquerades, the inclusion of identity—nobles, merchants, and commoners—allowed interactions between classes and identities that would otherwise have no grounds to meet. All the while, guests never unveiled themselves, allowing people to be the person they wished to be. The costume is a metaphor for hidden identity and the tension between the outer presentation (the public self) and hidden desire (the private self). Spreading throughout France and England, creatives started incorporating theater, fashion, and music, making masquerades a culturally blended experience and more mainstream, which blurred their subversive edge. Until now.
Guests at masquerades historically experienced:
- Anonymity: space to explore romance, rebellion, or taboo
- Spectacle: elaborate costumes, live performance, ornate décor
- Social inversion: the chance to step outside rigid societal roles
If there is one take we can have in this, it is that this is your life. Treat it as a movie. Remember, you are the main character. Flirt, be mischievous, and love who you love.
Then And Now
Venetian Veil is focused on the original intention behind masquerade parties. It creates a parallel in our modern time. Today, we are still bound to unspoken rules, silent judgments, and curated personas. During this period, behind the safety of your mask, you are encouraged to break free—beautifully, boldly, and unapologetically. This is where we meet the real you.
Creative Director & Designer Luis Medina says, “Carnivale has a personality of its own—vibrant, playful, but also regal. Entering this creative process, I knew I wanted to make something that people could relate to. The beautiful interior, to me, was representative of how people like to present themselves in social settings. However, I wanted to juxtapose this space with a dark masquerade, highlighting what most people felt in their loneliest state, isolated with only their voice, yearning for more.”
Written & Edited by: Zoar Pelayo & Luis Levonche
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