The gowns, trains and costumes below are just a sampling of a collection all housed in the Mobile Carnival Museum.
The Mobile Carnival Association was first organised in 1872-with their Royal Court reigned over by the king of Carnival, which they styled as Emperor Felix I. (It is impossible to find in print anywhere that this is actually a "whites only" association)
You will also see that there is one room devoted to the Mobile Black Mardi Gras Society.
The first “Coloured Carnival Association” was formed in 1939- It later became the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association. The Royal Court styled as King Elexis I http://www.mamga.com/
...sadly underneath all the layers of pretence today, there is still a strong racial divide in this part of the country.
Some of the photos show a closer look at the details, I just love all the embroidery, feathers and bling that has been used. Each year a queen and king are selected from the society, the design of the gown and their trains are selected based on their interests or family history. Two examples below are a train based on her favourite story which is The Princess and The Frog - you will see a heavily embossed frog on a cream and green train below, and the other showing a piano, representing his talent.
The museum also has a large collection of of early lithographs showing fanciful parades, coronation invitations, crowns, and many early photographs of the King's court.
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Remember that this represents only one association/society. Each Mystic group has their own King or queen. In case you are wondering, it is typical for each king or queen to pay for their own costume. Most are old Mobile/old money so it must be a piece of cake!
The Mobile Carnival Association was first organised in 1872-with their Royal Court reigned over by the king of Carnival, which they styled as Emperor Felix I. (It is impossible to find in print anywhere that this is actually a "whites only" association)
You will also see that there is one room devoted to the Mobile Black Mardi Gras Society.
The first “Coloured Carnival Association” was formed in 1939- It later became the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association. The Royal Court styled as King Elexis I http://www.mamga.com/
...sadly underneath all the layers of pretence today, there is still a strong racial divide in this part of the country.
Some of the photos show a closer look at the details, I just love all the embroidery, feathers and bling that has been used. Each year a queen and king are selected from the society, the design of the gown and their trains are selected based on their interests or family history. Two examples below are a train based on her favourite story which is The Princess and The Frog - you will see a heavily embossed frog on a cream and green train below, and the other showing a piano, representing his talent.
The museum also has a large collection of of early lithographs showing fanciful parades, coronation invitations, crowns, and many early photographs of the King's court.
Remember that this represents only one association/society. Each Mystic group has their own King or queen. In case you are wondering, it is typical for each king or queen to pay for their own costume. Most are old Mobile/old money so it must be a piece of cake!
I went a bit overboard taking photos, but I just loved them all and wanted to have the memory. You never know, one day when I am selected queen I will need these design ideas and embroidery details as a reference source.
http://www.mobilechamber.com/mardigras.asp a link with lots of other links to all Mobile Mardi Gras.
Some of these photos were taken by Cheryl.
