TO be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve been this inspired and mesmerized by the BTS workings of a company or brand.. The last time I was this starry eyed is without a doubt the time I got to go to Chanel’s Lesage & Lemarié couturiers in Paris following their epic Chanel Shopping Centre show. I got to see the intricate workings and the master craftsmanship that went into creating couture!  That being said.. IN an over 30,000+ square foot facility that took nearly an entire work day (10:00AM – 4:00PM)  to cover I was managed to be blown away over and over again. It’s experiences like this that really set the tone for me and stay cemented in my mind!

How did I manage to get an exclusive look inside one of the most lucrative acts in the entertainment world you ask? NO I didn’t just show up!!! I was one of the few people fortunate enough to be tapped by Mastercard Canada to get to access to this Priceless experience with them in celebration of their new official partnership with Cirque Du Soleil. This was such a great experience and honestly it’s so great to know how much Mastercard is continually innovating to bring people closer to their passions in new and exciting ways through their Priceless_platform. This exciting partnership with Cirque du Soleil gives Mastercard holders unparalleled access to creativity, unique entertainment experiences, and the inspiration to Start Something Priceless… Cardholders of any kind of Mastercard get Priceless access to a bunch of offers and benefits allowing them to experience the Cirque Du Soleil like never before. Experiences such as:

• • A “Walk In Cirque Shoes” experience where you get to shadow a performer backstage, share dinner with the crew and enjoy a live show from preferred Mastercard seats.
  • Cirque Camp, where cardholders get to learn Cirque performance and artistic skills, experience a guided tour, and receive a parting gift
  • 15% off at Canadian touring shows & 20% off at Las Vegas resident shows
  • Access to presale windows
  • Access to premiere night tickets
  • Access to Mastercard VIP experience
  • Mastercard preferred seating at shows across Canada

and many many more!

Cirque du Soleil, apart from the show really is an extreme form of art.. It REALLY is a couture experience!! Getting to not only learn about BUT get to see first hand all the steps, details, processes, time and sweat that goes into not only a production but a single costume was insane! If you think their Montreal based headquarters was just a facility to train and edit looks (kind of like I did) YOU HAVE GOT IT ALL WRONG!!

For our tour of the facility we started with the basics,  fabrics and materials for costumes as well as some of the modern techniques that are used to create details, props, etc. With production literally never ending, it’s easy to understand why there are thousands upon thousands of fabric swatches readily available for design teams to get inspired and pull from to get inspired for new looks, details, etc. Not only for costumes but for set design and more. The thought process that goes not only into the aesthetic but also the design I.e. what fabrics will give the circus artists the most support, the most breathability, the most flexibility throughout a show. I can not stress how many steps there are in the design process and how many different techniques are utilized to CREATE! It was exciting to see that Cirque Du Soleil uses state of the art 3D printing machines to go above and beyond to create props that take outfits and accessories to the next level and create the most precise of details for wardrobe additions to stage design enhancements.

AS you can imagine the Cirque du Soleil artists put their outfits through the works, from the natural sweat to diving into waters for acts to the natural friction and wear that comes with performing the stunts and techniques they do while on stage. To maintain and create unique prints, patterns and vibrant colours for months if not years of running shows, Cirque Du Soleil creates their own designs from a base of white fabric in various materials. They dye their own fabrics and use techniques such as sublimation and in some cases hand painting to keep specific prints and patterns vivid for shows around the world all with an about 35 person team here in Montreal. Not only do they create custom colours and patterns but I WAS LITERALLY FLOORED when I found out that they create custom hair pieces.. YES you are reading correct THERE WERE SOME CUTE AND TALENTED little ol’ Montreal women laying down lace fronts, hairlines and baby hairs to the GAWDS!!! TO THE GODS!!!!!!!! I was yet again mesmerized by how many skills and talents were under one roof! I couldn’t believe my eyes. Not only the skill of creating the wigs but also the ideas and talent that went into designing the styles like this blue feather hair piece I could NOT get over.

… Another favourite part of this Priceless experience… I mean it’s one thing to see them do it but to actually DO IT is another! Getting to experience Cirque artists train (not to mention get a peak of the super fit bodies #ENVIOUS) and practice their intricate and daring moves up close was intense and exciting. The strength, focus and dexterity of these performers are without a doubt un matched. When it was my turn to go I surprisingly wasn’t even nervous at all! There’s a calmness about being around a bunch of people but being 30+ feet in the air in your literally OWN space. I loved it and in hindsight kinda wish I went higher lol!!!

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I mean, well obviously it OBVIOUSLY wouldn’t be a trip anywhere with me unless I was ALL up in the makeup, wherever, whenever, however! Cirque Du Soleil is known for their beautiful makeup that matches their equally beautiful costumes and set designs!! Knowing this what a better way to get acquainted then with the makeup team and products knowing that MAC Cosmetics is the official makeup sponsor for Cirque Du Soleil! It was not only a treat to watch the makeup get down but to learn that Cirque Makeup artists apply one side of the makeup to the performers face and then it’s up to them to mimic the make-up artists work on the other side so that they can be capable of doing their makeup on the road and on the go! SO NEXT TIME I COMPLAIN ABOUT MY CAT EYE AND JUST GIVE UP!? I’VE TAKEN NOTE! It was also great to see how the artists apply makeup so that it can retain itself throughout a performance, needless to say #SETTINGPOWDER! I love the technique of starting with a cream base in all the colours/contours/etc. and then setting it with a translucent powder but THEN going over with shadow, highlight and contour in matching powder colours to DOUBLE SET the face really making sure that there is no movement throughout a production.. Also.. big thanks to my muse for taking the chair for me to allow me to watch the makeup process be done and be our canvas xoxoxo

Overall words can barely describe the feeling you get when being at Cirque Du Soleil’s International Head Quarters in Montreal and really getting to see the couture art that goes into not only creating a performance but creating each and every detail (down to the buttons!) BUT YEAH! This was such a great experience and if you’re a Mastercard cardholder you can experience Cirque Du Soleil like never before too!

Visit mastercard.ca/cirquedusoleil for more information and to find your own way to #StartSomethingPriceless