Jola

CoM: CIAO! TODAY WE’RE INTERVIEWING CARNEVALE COSTUME DESIGNER, JOLA JAGODZINSKA.

Photo by Jola’s husband

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

JJ: In school.

CoM: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT CARNEVALE?

JJ: Beauty, artistry, magic, joy, people, frittelle, and my beloved Venice. “Because joy is necessary for the soul as blood is necessary for the body.” - Saint Francis

Photo by Optical Emotions

CoM: TELL US ABOUT YOUR CARNEVALE BUSINESS.

JJ: Every year, I design costumes and masks for myself. Then, I perform in them. Above is “Olympus – Alle origini del gioco.” My inspiration for this year’s costume: the Roman goddess Minerva, who stands equal to the Greek gods of Olympus. The goddess of science, art, wisdom, and just war; her symbol is the owl. She is feminine and strong, loves beauty, believes that reason can achieve a great deal—but when that is not enough, she knows how to fight. This is my Minerva. My costume for 2026.

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

JJ: All the studios in Venice are wonderful.

Photo by Patrizia Prod