We are now away on a well earned holiday, so our next posting will be at 2pm on Monday 19 January.

Wishing all our customers a very Happy New Year, Martin and Samantha Peach.

The idea of a Masked Ball or party goes back to late medieval court life, originally designed to celebrate a marriage or mark a point in a royal dynasty.

The guests would wear both a costume and their masquerade mask, and, as you can imagine, the anonymity this provided to a class that were governed by the strictest etiquette and constricting rules of behaviour was irresistible..

Masquerade balls grew into semi public events by the time of the Renaissance, enabling ( in theory..)the nobleman and the servant to interact, under the cloak of disguise - their popularity was very much about the freedom wearing a mask gave you..

The intricate and exquisite masquerade masks were set against the backdrop of the time, with all its stunning Renaissance architecture and art, just an incredibly creative time when Beauty was paramount in everything, and creativity and innovation was everywhere

From the 17th Century they were popular throughout mainland Europe and reached London by the early 18th century, courtesy of the Swiss count John Heidegger, who brought the first one to the Haymarket Opera House..

For the rest of the 18th century these remained popular, spreading from England across to Colonial America, they also became more lighthearted, as guests tried to guess the identity of the person behind the masks

And so through to today, where they remain a hugely popular choice with event organisers of corporate and charity events, and countless private parties around the world - we’re particularly excited about the burgeoning trend for Masquerade weddings, and you’d be surprised how many 18th birthday parties we supply

So no matter how big or small your event is, as you walk in and see everyone in their masquerade masks, just remember you’re all keeping alive a tradition that goes back centuries, and long may it continue..