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Photographs of costumes from the
2000 Mardi Gras, called "2003 and a bit"(spacey/bizarre
theme) and "Before 2000"(Egyptian theme).
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi
Gras started in 1978 and Richard Winsbury has been making
Mardi Gras costumes and walking in the parade since 1983.
The parade is in the evening and a
large dance party follows, finishing the following
morning.
About 600,000 people now line the
parade route to watch the spectacle, normally held in
late February or early March (summer) and the parade is
televised and watched around the world.
Richard makes the costumes for
himself and for a group of his friends and usually spends
4-6 weeks making the costumes for each Mardi Gras
although he has managed to make some in less than 2 days!
Most of the
costumes are worn but some are so large as to need wheels.
In recent years Richard has been
entering the Costume Pageant at the Mardi Gras party and
frequently wins either the best male costume or the best
group.
Hover
over thumbnail for costume details.
Richard
cannot advise you of costume makers in other cities or
countries, but can make costumes in Sydney, charging at
an hourly rate.