Joce
CoM: CIAO! TODAY WE’RE INTERVIEWING CARNEVALE COSTUME DESIGNER, JOCE ARTISTE PEINTRE.
Joce’s 2026 costume. Photo by André Lobourg
CoM: JOCE, HOW DID YOU FIRST LEARN ABOUT CARNEVALE IN VENICE, ITALY?
JP: I learnt about Carnevale in Venice many years ago through videos, photos, and books. It was an old dream to go there one day. I went for the first time in 2016 as a tourist and was immediately fascinated. First, by the magic and the beauty of the town. Second, by the costumes of the Carnavale. Then, I had the luck to attend to Venetian events in France and I did one year of Venetian dances in a local group. After that, I started to create my costumes and to go to Venice's Carnevale every year since 2020. It was the beginning of my dream come true.
Joce’s 2025 costume. Photo by Sara Jazbar
CoM: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT CARNEVALE?
JP: I love this incredibly magical and mysterious atmosphere in the most wonderful town in the world. It’s timeless. All the amazing beauty of costumes and colors. I love the light, the fog, the little lapping waves that rock gondolas, the labyrinth of small streets where you can endlessly lose yourself… The silence when you escape from the crowd. Everything is part of this special moment of Carnevale.
CoM: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE CARNEVALE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER BEEN?
JP: I could only say to go. See it. Feel it. There are no words to describe the sensation and the soul of Venice, especially during Carnevale.
Joce’s 2024 costume, "Tribute to Klimt". Photo by Robin Young
CoM: TELL US ABOUT YOUR CARNEVALE COSTUME MAKING.
JP: I create all my costumes by myself. Not only design but sew, embroider, make all the accessories, hats, shoes, bags, dresses, coats, etc. I am entirely self-taught. I work in the manner of a painter.
I was painter for years, mostly portraits. And in my canvasses I was sewing some pearls, jewels, and draped fabrics. So, when I began creating costumes, I followed my habits.
First, most important, is to create a color palette and vibes. I gather all my stuff: material, fabrics, pearls, gallons of different nuances, and I look for the best harmony or contrast. I don’t draw. I try everything directly on the mannequin to see what is the best. Only when I find this harmony do I then work the shape.
I often create my own patterns. I like to make the colors "sing” between each other. Of course, I have always my theme in my mind and often it is in relation to some painters that I love.
My golden costume was a tribute to Gustav Klimt. My pink costume was a tribute to Claude Monet and his famous painting, Woman with a Parasol. My 2026 costume, lilac and green, was a kind of tribute to Alfons Mucha and his famous women in flowers. Like a queen or godess of the gardens.
This is the personal link between my first art, painting, and my second art, the creation of costumes. There is always a story behind each of my costumes. I don’t sell my costumes. I make them for me.
Joce’s 2024 costume, "Queen of Wands". Photo by Robin Young
CoM: WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO CARNEVALE BUSINESS THAT YOU LOVE TO SUPPORT?
JP: I really love two shops in Venice: Antonia Sautter’s and Ca’ del Sol (which was the first one I discovered).
CoM: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT US TO KNOW?
JP: I thank you for the good idea to present different people attending the Carnevale as well as creators, designers, models, and photographers. It is very interesting to share our different worlds, feelings, and experiences of Carnevale - whether involved for several years or only more recently.
CoM: YOU’RE SO WELCOME! IT’S TRULY OUR PLEASURE AND WE’RE SO GLAD PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE FINDING VALUE IN THESE STORIES TOO. THANKS AGAIN FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SHARE YOURS!
Joce’s 2020 costume. Photo by Paul Pozzato