Quitterie
CoM: CIAO! TODAY WE’RE INTERVIEWING CARNEVALE COSTUME DESIGNER, QUITTERIE LESAULE.
Saint Micheal slaying the Dragon 2025 (credit: Robin Yong)
CoM: QUITTERIE, HOW DID YOU FIRST LEARN ABOUT CARNEVALE IN VENICE, ITALY?
QL: I learned about Carnevale from my mom who loved to make costumes for us, whatever the occasion. She had a love for theater and the Commedia dell’Arte in particular, so masks were a familiar sight in our home.
CoM: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT CARNEVALE?
QL: I love the fantasy of it, the creativity, and most of all the anonymity. You can be anyone during Carnevale, you become your mask. I love having people admire the mask and costume without knowing who is behind it. And I love the questions that stay without answers.
The Atlant Prince, 2026 (credit: Michel Sevelo)
CoM: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE CARNEVALE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER BEEN?
QL: It's the biggest stage in the world. Suddenly, for a few days, you are part of the history and the fame of Venice. You become a living and moving work of art people admire.
CoM: TELL US ABOUT YOUR CARNEVALE COSTUME MAKING.
QL: I create my costumes from A to Z: designing, sewing, and crafting everything with my hands. I've always liked costumes, and I did cosplay since I was 13 years old. I started to have more of an interest in historical costume, reconstruction, and the steampunk style at 18. Then this shifted into Carnevale style costumes when I participated in the Carnaval d'Annecy.
Judith with the Head of Holophernes, 2026 (credit: JR Créations )
CoM: ARE THERE ANY CARNEVALE BUSINESSES YOU WOULD RECOMMEND OTHERS CHECK OUT?
QL: I'd like to recommend Masques de Venise, the best shop for getting authentic Venice masks delivered in France! The shop was supposed to close because the owners were retiring but someone in the family is continuing the business! They are amazing! 👏
CoM: ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE US TO KNOW?
QL: I'd like to also add that I am 27 years old, and most of the time, I am the youngest in a group of masks. A lot of people worry that the love for Carnevale is burning out, but it is still bright for a lot of people! Just a little bit different :)
And because it’s important to me, I had to share a picture with my partner in crime, my best friend, the best Pierrot in Venice, Kate Jenkins :) (credit: Robin Yong)