Womens Opera Gloves

Ladies Opera Gloves or Evening Gloves are a formal type of glove which must be above the elbow to authenticate them. They come in three lengths , wrist, elbow, and over elbow i.e Opera Gloves , the materials used to make the glove can be satin , latex, suede and the most expensive materials are kidskin , cowhide and patent leather. When measuring an opera glove the measurements are referred to in "button" . one button is usually longer than one inch , Opera Gloves must be between 16-22 inches to be classed as one , And are often worn with masquerade masks.

The earliest date known for wearing Opera Gloves is in a portrait of Queen Mary during 1690, but they became popular during the Regency/Napoleonic period of the 1800s .There revival in the 1920s where they were worn as day and evening gloves and also as swim wear,  launched the success of the  Opera Glove into the20th and 21st century. It was considered ill bred during the 1920s for the upper classes to go barehanded  especially at public functions .Many actresses also helped the glove revival including Sarah Bernhardt and Lillian Russel, whilst Marlyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth donned their Opera Gloves for the films "Some gentleman like blonde's " and "Gilda". Christiane Dior has also designed Opera Gloves for his runway shows .

To this day opera gloves are used to add sophistication to any wedding , prom or ball, whilst in some country's like Austria it is still compulsory to wear white Opera Gloves to the royal Vienna Opera Ball and in Japan women must wear them to protect their Fair skin which represents beauty , grace and social status.

The most famous type of Opera Glove is the "Mousqetaire" which was derived from the french glove worn by male musketeer's of the 17th century.The Mousqetaire had a wrist opening which could be closed with three pearl buttons and allowed the ladies to slip  just their fingers out whilst dining  .During the Victorian period the gloves were worn so tight that a hook or talcum powder were needed to get them on , and in the 1930s the gloves were made using the same material and color of their underwear so they could wear the gloves in the day and night to protect their hands and keep them soft and unblemished.

to see a great range of opera length gloves just visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk 

Commedia Del Arte El Capitano

El Capitano  Italian for The Captain is a Commedia Del Arte character who is often foreign . He  originates from around the 1600s and is based on the Spanish occupation of Italy during this time hence El Capitano is often  Spanish in the Commedia Del Arte plays.

The character tends to talk at great length about his military prowess and romantic flings  in his wish to impress everyone but mostly just impresses himself, as he has no idea about woman and would instantly run away if the need to fight arose. Greed is often a word associated with the El Capitano , as in the scenario where he is chosen to protect the female Immoretti but proceeds to set up a bidding war between all her suitors, and is known to often switch sides during conflict depending on who is winning .

the costume of the Commedia Del Arte  El Capitano is a military uniform and tricorn hat  which is worn and patchy to show his lack of money.His mask has a large nose and moustache which is usually turned up at the corners.Glasses are usually worn for his poor vision but the character insists its so his fierce glint wont outshine the sun.Because he is foreign a overly large ruff is worn in the Spanish fashion.His sword is just for show , and if he ever draws it it is always either too heavy to hold or wobbly to use , which emphasises his lack of courage , whilst his stance is straight with one hand on hip and the other placed on sword to show off.his comedy value is greatly shown when he is scared as he screams like a women and then is known to faint .

Because he El Capitano is a show off his titles are usually something like "Mountain Crumbler" and "Mountain Splitter" , But He often ends up with ridicules names like "The saviour Of Drunken Virgins".

To see our great range of Commedia Del Arte Masks visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk