Imagine strolling through the palace grounds of Versailles, surrounded by towering wigs, pastel finery, and the thrill of centuries-old French elegance. That’s exactly where we found Dallas-based makeup artist and hairstylist, Daniel Napolitan, whose lifelong love of theater and dramatic flair led him to attend the legendary Grand Masked Ball of Versailles.
Join us as Daniel shares his inspiration, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and the unforgettably opulent moments from an event that blends history, haute couture… and a dash of modern mischief.
The Grand Masked Ball of Versailles returns on June 21st, 2025.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself? Where are you from, and what drew you to the Grand Masked Ball at the Palace of Versailles?
Hi!! My name is Daniel Napolitan. I currently live in Dallas, Texas where I reside with my husband and our pug-chihuahua, Diesel Jean. I have been a professional Makeup Artist & Hairstylist for the last 20 years.
I grew up performing in the theater arts, and always had a love for the dramatics, so any party or festival that leans towards a more cinematic attire is a surefire way to pique my interest!
How did you first hear about the Grand Masked Ball of Versailles?
The Sofia Coppola film “Marie Antoinette” has been at the top of my favorite movies list since it came out in 2006, and I always wanted to have a birthday party in that theme.
Many years ago I stumbled across The Masked Ball at Versailles on the internet, so my dream of having this party suddenly became more of a reality…and on a MUCH bigger scale than I could have ever imagined.
Who did you attend the Grand Ball with? Did you all coordinate your looks?
My best friend Rasheena and I were both celebrating our 40th birthday at the ball, so she brought her sister Rheya as her guest. I brought my husband, Jason, and my other best friend of 20 years, Joshua.
We all started discussing our coordinating costumes, themes, and color stories fairly quickly after we secured our tickets. I had the idea of doing a pastel palette because I wanted us all to look like a beautiful box of macarons!
The underlying theme I created for our “characters” was that we were all Nepo babies of Versailles…glamorous, fashion-obsessed socialites deeply entangled in a web of secrets and scandals. I told you, lol, I like the dramatics!
What was your budget for the experience? How much can someone expect to spend?
Budget is always a tricky word. Our trip had a bit more of a lenient “budget” involved simply because it was my international birthday celebration. Luckily, there are SO many options to trim the fat on expenses at every turn.
Transportation to the event can be done via Uber or Train, which is more cost-effective than using a private car service. Costumes can be rented locally, so you don’t have to travel with them, and tickets to the event are tiered, which allows you another option for saving money.
The great thing about this ball is not everything has to be VIP for a good time to be had! We opted for the VIP ticket because we wanted an area to rest whenever we wanted, and I think that particular upgrade is definitely worth it when you are dancing until the sun comes up.
The food in the VIP area wasn’t our favorite, but having unlimited Champagne and Beer was a perk. I can’t give an exact number on expectation to spend, but my advice would be to do the proper research. Read blogs, join groups on social media, and listen to what previous attendees have to say. This information will allow you to create a budget based on the experience you want to have.
Where did you find your costume? Was it custom-made or something you assembled yourself?
I actually found everything online. I purchased different pieces from different sites so that I could build a look that was custom to my “character”.
The one very specific detail I required for my look was my shoes, which was an homage to a scene in the Marie Antoinette film. For a split second, when Kirsten Dunst is shopping at the palace, there is a pair of Converse shoes seen in the shot. So I purchased a pair of baby blue Converse and put two pink hair bows on the laces to give it more of a whimsical look. It was so fun promenading around the grounds before the ball started and having people recognize that little shoe detail from the movie!
Your hair (or wig) is stunning—what inspired the style?
Thank you!! Traditionally, male costumes from this time period are pretty basic so the wig was a fun way for me to add my own creative twist. I purchased a basic, long baby pink wig online and coiffed it myself. I wanted a style that incorporated both Masculine and Feminine shapes.
The curls on the sides and the ponytail down the back were a nod to French Aristocracy. The height and adornments were a nod to that classic Marie Antoinette hairstyle we all know and love. I, of course, had another “Nepo baby” inspiration behind the diamond and pearl brooches I attached to the back of the wig. The inspo was that I had the royal jeweler deliver family heirlooms, that were taken from the crown room, and put them in my hair for the party. Details matter, folks! Ha!
What advice would you give to someone attending The Masked Ball of Versailles for the first time, especially in terms of attire or preparation?
My advice would be to just have as much fun as you can with your costume. As long as you are under the basic umbrella of formal attire for the time period, you can stretch the creativity pretty far! This is one of the most well-executed, beautifully produced parties that you will be attending with people from all over the world, and you can only go for the first time-ONCE!
One of my favorite memories is the period of time before the ball starts that you can walk the grounds and observe all the other attendees in their attire. Do this! Go early! Mingle! I don’t want to share any potential spoilers, so I won’t include any specific details about the actual ball…but know that your first time will be absolutely mind-blowing!
Was there a particular moment or performance that stood out to you during the evening?
I would say a particular moment that still gives me chills is the first moment I entered the ball and just saw the sheer magnitude of the event. There are no actual words to describe the opulence and attention to detail. That moment will be a core memory for the rest of my life!
Will you be attending the Grand Masked Ball at the Palace of Versailles again this year? How can people get in touch with you?
Unfortunately, I won’t be in attendance this year, but I will definitely be back in the future!! My Instagram is @blay.locks if anyone wants to connect or has any more questions about the ball…I would be more than happy to be a resource.
