Horst

CoM: CIAO! TODAY WE’RE INTERVIEWING AWARD-WINNING CARNEVALE COSTUME DESIGNER, HORST RAACK.

CoM: HORST, HOW DID YOU FIRST LEARN ABOUT CARNEVALE IN VENICE, ITALY?

HR: I saw documentaries about Venice and its Carnival 25 years ago.

CoM: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT CARNEVALE?

HR: Express yourself, be who you want to be, inside and out. And, as a costume maker, be creative and show the world what you are capable of. Be inspired by others!

CoM: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE CARNEVALE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER BEEN?

HR: Carnevale di Venezia is about traveling through time and fantasy. It’s is a mixture of history and creativity, set in a romantic place full of history and art.

CoM: TELL US ABOUT YOUR CARNEVALE BUSINESS.

HR: I create costumes and masks for friends and myself. I do not sell anything. 2004, I started with my first carnival in self-made costumes. Since 2005, I am taking part at the international costume contest "La maschera piu bella" at Carnevale di Venezia. Today, I have won the first prize for best costumes eight times. Since 2014, I am the most first prize awarded artist of that contest.

That doesn't mean that I create perfect costumes. I am not a tailor, I am a goldsmith. But since most of my costumes have been awarded in Venice, I have organized exhibitions with them as well as historical pieces related to the Venetian Carnival.

CoM: WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO CARNEVALE BUSINESS THAT YOU LOVE TO SUPPORT?

HR: I am a friend and a fan of Marilisa dal Cason. She has a mask shop and she is one of the last traditional mask makers. I think you actually interviewed her recently.

CoM: WE DID! (HERE’S THE LINK.) WE AGREE COMPLETELY. SHE’S AMAZING AND SO IS HER WORK. OKAY. LAST QUESTION, HORST. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT US TO KNOW?

HR: You can find more information about me and my awarded costumes at my FB profile, Horst Raack-Costumi. On YouTube, there is a lovely video made by DW Deutsche Welle about my work too.