Deven
The first person to be interviewed as part of the Carnival of Masks Beyond the Carnival: Interviews with Costume Folks Around the World series is Deven Schwartz of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.
Photo caption from Deven Schwartz, “Hot Dog Jester: The hat was patterned off of a $2 pattern from Etsy. The bodice, bloomers, and collar were self-patterned by me. Used clothes i liked the fit of to create the shapes and adjusted as needed as I sewed. All materials aside from the Hot Dog fabric were things I already had in my fabric closet.”
CoM: Deven, how did your life in costumes begin??
DS: Costumes and performance art has been the only stable thing in my life. I’ve always been a fan of dolls and wearing things that aren’t too conventional. Dress up was my favorite thing as a child, and to this day.
CoM: Tell us about what you do.
DS: I’m a drag artist that specializes in clowning and burlesque.
CoM: What inspires you?
DS: Bright colors, surrealism, absurdist humor. I grew up military, so I’d often have to start my costume collections over with each move. Now, I’ve learned to sew at the beginning of the year and I have already created outfits I’m super proud of and could have only dreamed about as a kid.
CoM: Which costumed events do you make sure to never miss and why?
DS: I used to attend comic book and anime conventions. Now, I get booked for burlesque and drag shows. And I am the official mascot for my hometown’s show “Savage Cabaret”.
Photo caption from Deven Schwartz, “The Clown Bra: Made for a grand total of $7.50. The baby heads were plastic toys I got for a quarter each and repainted them to look like “comedy/tragedy” clowns in makeup I’ve worn before. They have rhinestones for eye shines and 3D realistic eyelashes.”
CoM: What's your favorite thing about costumes?
DS: Being in costume (in this case, specifically my clown, Peetie Esdee) means I can feel safe enough to go from my introverted and anxious self into my egregious and colorful persona. Peetie makes me forget about society making me feel bad for my neurodivergence, because I’m rewarded for that same thing once the clown costume comes on.
CoM: Do you have a costume related business?
DS: Yes. Peetie Esdee, my drag/burlesque clown personae. I got my start doing burlesque a decade ago, took some years off, and now I work as the mascot for “Savage Cabaret” in Lancaster, PA where I’m from. I’m also currently filming a series of videos for social media highlighting local businesses and events in the Lancaster area, but with Peetie Esdee as the “Clown Correspondent”.
CoM: Who do you want to shoutout in the costume world?
DS: Jason Chalmers. He does whimsical wacky maximalist costumes on Instagram. I’m a very big fan.
Photo caption by Deven Schwartz, “Worm on a String fringe coat: Made in 2.5 days for NYE 2026 and won the costume/outfit contest that night. Bought 250 worms offline and turned them into a fringe. Handpainted/rhinestoned the back with my stage name. Will be doing a new WoaS fringe look in a few weeks for a massive clown event in Philly.”
CoM: Thanks so much, Deven!
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