A costume hater at the carnival
"It's carnival time. Do you want to do something about costumes?" This question started an odyssey that ended at the Tschätteri in Altstätten SG.
Just under a week ago, my colleague Ludo approached me: Since the fifth season is now being celebrated all over Switzerland, we should do something about costumes. However, I thought it would be boring to just show our costume range. "Why don't you make your own costume", my editorial colleague Carolin advised me. You can see the result in the video above. Part two of my transformation follows below.
Call on Instagram
I thought the idea of making my own costume was cool. But what should I dress up as? That's where you came in. We made a call on our Instagram channel and you commented diligently.
Your ideas were written on small pieces of paper, then I drew a figure. Out of mercy to myself, I was allowed to say no twice. For the first costume (Mia Madisson), I had to make use of it because I didn't know the person. I accepted the second lot and became the joker!
You can find almost everything (for almost everyone)
at Brocki and DIY stores
I found the clothes for my Joker outfit in the nearest second-hand shop. I borrowed the make-up from our beauty expert Natalie and I organised the red paint to dye my trousers at the DIY store.
Only the green hair spray worried me. In a local beauty shop, I asked for a spray that could be washed out again. The lady then showed me a product that was suitable. "However, you need to be careful with blonde hair. The colour can stay in the hair a little longer," I was told. I asked what a little longer meant to her. My jaw dropped at her answer: "My colleague once made herself blue streaks. They didn't come out for almost four months." Nope! Not with me. I don't want to walk around with green hair for four months. I kept looking. Eventually I found just the right thing. A special hairspray for the carnival that disappears after one or two washes. Hopefully.
First time doing my own make-up
After I had painted my trousers the same colour as my jumper, it was time to do my make-up. Completely new territory for me. I've never had to paint my face before in my life. No wonder I was so clumsy. Luckily, the Joker's make-up can be a little shabby and unattractive. So my non-existent skills are less noticeable. But see for yourself:
Landed in eastern Switzerland
My home village is Altstätten SG and is known as one of the carnival strongholds of Eastern Switzerland. But even as a young boy, I was never keen on dressing up and parades. It wasn't until I reached puberty that carnival became interesting. Less because of the Guggenmusik, more because of alcohol and funny cigarettes. For the last few years, however, I avoided the carnival and, to be honest, never wanted to do it to myself again. You'd almost think I'd grown up. However, video producer Stephi really wanted some more footage of me at the carnival and some of my friends also wanted to drink a toast with me at the Tschätteri in Altstätten. So, for once, I interrupted my carnival abstinence and threw myself into the fray. I'll spare you the details. Not because they're too crude, but because I can't remember everything.
Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.