Find Your Mask at Maskarade!
No trip to New Orleans is complete without picking up your very own Mardi Gras mask, and Maskarade is one of the best shops in town. Tucked into the historic French Quarter and walkable from Jackson Square, their large selection features both local and national mask-makers. These one-of-a-kind designs utilize a number of mediums. You’ll also find Italian masks, all handmade in the classical Venetian style by expert artists.
At Maskarade, you can also order a customized piece—however, it takes at least one month from order to delivery. Many visitors enjoy the experience of working with a maskmaker in person, personalizing a mask, then enjoying the surprise of it arriving at their home a few weeks after their New Orleans journey ends. (The price for custom masks starts at $200, but there are a number of lower-cost masks available in the shop.)
All the World’s a Stage
Open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., a visit to Maskarade is a truly unique experience. Popular mask styles include bull masks, fascinators, carnival, animals, leather, Italian, glitz and sparkle, steampunk, and of course special Halloween editions. In New Orleans, there are events year-round where masks are revered, from Day of the Dead to quinceañeras.
Each of the mask artists Maskarade works with has their own creative flair and touch. You can learn more about each artist by checking out their bio, and if you’re interested in a custom creation this is a great place to start. As always, you can also shop for masks online, but keep in mind that nothing compares to an in-store experience.