The most fun time of the year is coming!!! And for those of us who like to dress up, it is the date par excellence. Colored paints, glitter, masks, glasses, hats, and an endless number of accessories will become our best allies and source of inspiration for a few days, from the moment we decide our outfit until we carry it out. Not to mention the floats, music, parades and different activities that take place depending on where you live.
But do we know why we dress up and where carnival originated?
There are many theories about the origin of the carnival, but the most likely is that it is in the pagan festivities. One of them dates back as far as 5,000 years ago in the Roman Empire. Festivities in honor of the god Saturn (god of agriculture and harvest in Roman mythology). These were ancient purification rites celebrated in honor of winter. Specifically to celebrate the transition to spring, leaving behind the cold days.
Saturn-inspired pendants:
They held dances and banquets, and wore clothes and masks that personified the god Saturn, as they believed that they needed the offerings and rituals to return him to the underworld and start the summer harvests, after having been wandering all winter in their lands. Interesting, isn't it?
Another theory places its origin in Greece, where they also celebrated similar festivities in which Dionysus (god of fertility and wine), among others, was venerated. They celebrated with theatrical performances and large processions.
Earrings inspired by Greek culture:
Nowadays, carnival is one of the most popular festivals worldwide and many countries celebrate it. Especially in Europe and throughout Latin America.
We all know the colorful carnival of Rio de Janeiro, the elegance of Venice, or the exotic parade of Notting Hill in London. But in Latin America, dear friends, there are also many carnivals that enjoy worldwide fame, such as Oruro in Bolivia, Veracruz in Mexico, Barranquilla in Colombia...
We advise you to take a look at them if you don't know them because you will be surprised at how wonderful they are!
In Spain, we certainly can't complain about internationally renowned carnivals, such as those of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Águilas (Murcia) and the most 'salao' of all: that of Cádiz.
And these, girls, are destinations that are a stone's throw away and we can easily enjoy them. And as you can see we have many destinations to choose from and it would be very difficult to choose just one. So, if you like, we are going to tell you some curiosities about some of them to whet your appetite...
- According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest carnival celebration in the world is in Rio de Janeiro. We have to go!!!
- The longest are those of Montevideo, Uruguay (41 days), and those of Jujui, Entre Ríos and Corrientes (Argentina), which last from the first weekend of January to the first weekend of March. We want to be here too!
- Those of Santiago de Cuba and Havana in Cuba were compared for a time with those of Rio de Janeiro. Can you imagine? ♥
- In Mexico, carnival is very important, and thanks to its cultural plurality we can find a great diversity of celebrations. Depending on whether we do it in the country's cities or in the indigenous communities. (We would love to experience the latter).
- If you go to the New Orleans Carnival (Mardi Gras) don't forget to go prepared with bags, because all kinds of gifts are thrown from the floats to the spectators: toys, stuffed animals, necklaces, etc. The necklaces used to be made with stones from Czechoslovakia. And although they are nowadays more economical, they still have a great symbolic value.
After this, are we the only ones who can't wait to buy a plane ticket right now to see any of these carnivals?
Anyway, for the moment we have to be satisfied with opening a door of options and trying to make you fall in love with this fun time of the year, if you weren't already...
Maybe you spend it in town, in a friend's city, or with friends in your neighborhood. But be that as it may, and if you are planning to dress up, keep reading because from Lavani we are going to recommend you some jewels to complete your carnival look and make you look gorgeous. Don't forget that these are pieces that you can/should use for your everyday and weekend looks. You know, better dead than simple!
COSTUME IDEAS FOR CARNIVALS 2020
MERMAID/UNICORN FANTASY
A super simple and trendy costume: mermaid/unicorn fantasy. A mermaid or unicorn costume, it depends on how you want to approach it. It can be achieved in a very simple way: with pieces of clothing in shades of holo or lilac (which you will have no difficulty in finding as they are trendy!!!). What's more, it's likely that more than one of you already has one or two garments like this in your closet. The details? Stars or shiny face stickers to complete a make-up with a LOT of highlighter and even nails to match the look. Below is an example of how we did it in the shooting of our MERMAID COLLECTION.
GREEK GODDESS:
A very recurrent costume for those who like to dress up but always with a cute touch. You don't need much: a white flowing blouse, gold accessories, and makeup with gold shadow and, again, highlighter. The special touch when dressing up as a Greek goddess can be given with a side root braid. They are super easy! We leave you the tutorial below.
Our favorite accessory for this look: the Veli earrings. These earrings of Hellenic inspiration with a vertical leaf shape go 100% with this look. Simple but elegant earrings that you can wear on a million occasions.
EUPHORIA MADNESS
The Euphoria series is all the rage and we are sure to see it everywhere this carnival season. Dressing up is very easy: GLITTER EVERYWHERE! Give free rein to your imagination: make a makeup full of glitter and without rules, add glitter or stickers to that makeup, put on a headband or hair accessories with lots of details and glitter. Extra TIP LAVANI: add even more sparkle with the jewelry you wear and opt for models with zirconia. Even do your nails to match! Here's some insto, including the look created by Carla Dipinto, which we love!
Do not hesitate and go out and enjoy the carnival, dress up, dance, laugh, sing, and leave your shy side at home for a few days, which are experiences that once lived you do not regret. Who can resist the contagion of joy and good vibes?
We hope we have been helpful and you know that we are in the stores in Valencia and Madrid for whatever you need. Oh, and don't forget to tag us in your photos!