There are two words that truly define the essence of Italian Carnevale: the first is maschera, or mask; the second is — of course — Venezia.
While every corner of the country celebrates this time of the year with parades, masquerades and floats, there is no denying that, even when considering the most famous, the most historically interesting Carnevali (Viareggio, Ivrea, Putignano, Rome, just to name a few), the one in Venezia is the most iconic and luxurious.

(Photo: Atelier Marega)
The Carnevale di Venezia, timeless, elegant and beautiful, has the ability to carry us all back in time to experience the opulence, wealth and cheerful mystery of a time, the 18th century, when La Serenissima was the centre of the world. Then, just like today, the secret of Carnevale’s seduction was all in one thing: la maschera, frivolous accessory and piece of art, synonym of disguise, of mystery, of prohibited love.

(Photo: Atelier Marega)
In Venice, however, masks are even more than that: they are art, craftsmanship, creativity, they are the result, in many a case, of traditions and professions passed on from a generation to another, a perfect example of Made in Italy’s continuity.
The Marega family has been creating and crafting handmade, luxury masks for almost 40 years, in their city centre Venice atelier. It was Carlo Marega to open a small shop in 1981 and to start crafting masks, when he realized how attracted tourists were to this precious item of Italian mastery. Marega soon became synonym with real Venetian craftsmanship, even more so after the opening of Atelier Marega, which does not only produce masks, but also precious period costumes.

(Photo: Atelier Marega)
Carlo’s work continues today through his family, including daughter Chandra, who is part of Atelier Marega’s team and with whom L’Italo-Americano had the pleasure to chat this week, just as this year’s Carnevale celebrations are in full swing.
The history of your activity seems the embodiment — let me pass the expression —of the “American Dream:” you started with a small, 25 square meters atelier almost 40 years ago, ended up opening four stores in Venice and, 15 years ago, also a fashion atelier, Atelier Marega. What’s behind this incredible professional and creative growth?
You can really say “American Dream,” because Atelier Marega’s founder, my father Carlo Marega, began working in a glass furnace when he was only 11. In the early days of his career, in 1981, he opened a small shop selling handcrafted glass objects but he soon realized the market for handcrafted masks was growing, especially since Carnevale had returned “en vogue” in the city. So he began making and selling them. The business grew so much we, indeed, had four stores across Venice at one point but, unfortunately, the 2008 economic crisis forced us to sell three of them. Today, we are active with our atelier in Calle Larga San Polo 2940/b, on the corner with Calle Gozzi: we’re just a stone’s throw from the Basilica dei Frari. But we opened two online stores, one on Etsy and one on our website which, by the way, is going to be entirely renewed after Carnevale.

(Photo: Atelier Marega)
My father Carlo fell immediately in love with creating masks: he enjoyed making all kinds, using every type of material and decoration.
So, at least initially, your father Carlo’s work didn’t involve crafting masks. Were there other reasons, beside people’s renewed interest in Carnevale, that made him become a mascherero?
It’s been a mix of factors, really. As I said, there was the fact Carnevale returned to be popular in Venice and also the interest and passion my father discovered to have for the production of masks. But I think what really made the difference was the increasingly high number of tourists who asked for them. People coming to Venice wanted to bring home something authentic as a gift for friends and families, or just to remember the lovely time they spent in the city. You see, when you buy a handcrafted mask, you bring home a piece of the craftsman who made it: my father always loved that idea.

(Photo: Atelier Marega)
Chandra, can you tell us something more about the masks Atelier Marega produce? Which techniques do you use and how traditional are they?
There are different techniques behind each and every mask. I’d like to start with one of my favorites, the “crecklé.” A special, crackling varnish is applied on the mask and let dry for a minimum of 24 hours. After that, the varnish starts affecting the way the mask looks, giving it a “crackled” appearance. But that’s not it! To complete the procedure, our craftsmen delicately apply another layer of a special black color and, with the help of some cotton wool, make sure it gets into the cracks of the varnish. Another common technique we use is “tarring” (bitumazione), a process involving the use of wax to recreate aging on newly made masks.

(Photo: Atelier Marega)
2005 sees the birth of Atelier Marega, a project that adds to mask handcrafting also costume design and making, all inspired by the style and fashion of the Serenissima’s golden century, the 18th. Why have you decided to embark in this new creative and professional adventure?
The sales of our masks had been on the rise, our atelier had become popular and many of our customers kept on asking whether we would produce period costumes, too. When my father Carlo understood there was, in fact, quite a market for it, he decided to give it a go and invest in costume making, too. Since then, we can truly say we are tied 100% to Venetian tradition. We make each costume ourselves, using only the most precious, refined fabrics. Our sartorial team makes bespoke pieces for sale and rent: and Atelier Marega works all year round, not only for Carnevale!

(Photo: Atelier Marega)
I must admit you Casanova Grand Ball is quite intriguing: can you tell us more about it?
The Casanova Grand Ball is a private costume event we have been organizing since 2013. It is always on the last weekend of Carnevale (this year, it will be on Saturday, 22 of February), as we like to conclude all celebrations with our customers and fans. There is a different theme every year, but we always offer shows, dances (like minuet, for instance) and entertainment. Of course, everything starts with the official welcoming of guests to the palace, followed by aperitivo and a lovely dinner. The Casanova Grand Ball always takes place at Palazzo Ca’Zeno, which was built at the end of the 14th century.

(Photo: Atelier Marega)
One last question: what’s your relationship with the US? Are there many Marega masks on the other side of the pond?
Actually, the vast majority of our costumers are from the States! As I said, we use Etsy, which is an American platform… So yes, we can say there are a lot of Marega masks on your side of the Atlantic! Americans are among our best and most loved customers, some of them have been with us for 20 years and became real friends, like Mitch and Tom, Don and Jerry, whom we met as clients and ended up becoming part of the family. They come visiting us in Venice almost every year!
For more information and to shop Atelier Marega’s products: