Chaissez Ladies: The Queens of Lounging
The Chaissez Ladies are known for taking lounging to a whole new level! Inspired by the laid-back vibe of the Laissez Boys and their mastered art of the “walking krewe,” the future ladies of lounging came together to create their krewe. Since women weren’t allowed to join the Laissez Boys, the idea struck them: why not start a krewe with a special spin (pun intended!)? Captain Christina Callison exclaimed, “Why not have a similar krewe for women—and anyone who loves lounging?”
What began as a joke among friends quickly turned into a reality. They created a group text thread titled “Chaissez Ladies" daydreamed about the concept, and had a pivotal chat at a pool party where Liz Maute jumped in and declared, “We need to make this happen!” With her encouragement, they rallied more friends, and soon the original board was formed.
Their first official meeting took place in 2021, and the initial chair prototype was built during the evacuation from Hurricane Ida later that year. Fast forward to 2023, and the Chaissez Ladies proudly paraded for the first time at Gay Easter with five fabulous chairs!
Each chair represents a theme of relaxation and self-care, allowing members to express their individuality and creativity. Some fun themes include:
- **The Shangri-Lounge**: A vintage 1960s pool lounger transporting us to Palm Springs with bright pink accents and flamingos.
- **Patsy ReCline**: An Oklahoma cowgirl-themed blush pink chaise adorned with sparkly appliqués.
- **Marilyn Monroll**: An ode to Old Hollywood featuring gold accents and luxurious bullion fringe.
- **Pomela Anderson**: A chaise covered entirely in pom-poms.
- **Penny Layin**: A mod, colorful chaise showcasing 1960s flower power elements.
- **Kumoniwannalaya**: A tiki-themed chaise lounge that fits two riders!
- **Blanche DevaRoll**: A banana leaf fabric-covered chaise tribute to the Southern belle of the Golden Girls.
But the Chaissez Ladies are more than just champions of lounging; they aim to flip the script on society’s obsession with hustle and grind. They celebrate the importance of rest and relaxation, spreading this message from the comfort of their motorized chaise lounges.
Embodying the essence of “The Big Easy,” the Chaissez Ladies soak up their surroundings and exemplify the vibrant creativity that makes New Orleans so special. After all, what other city allows you to ride down a random street in a motorized chaise lounge without raising an eyebrow?
Friendship is the biggest takeaway from this krewe. The board of directors meets regularly, and each member serves on committees to ensure the krewe is parade-ready. Members are responsible for maintaining their chairs and decor, with some tweaking their designs throughout the year while others keep it simple. The ladies are seen at seasonal parades like Gay Easter, Krewe de Boo, and Mardi Gras of course! They practice once before to ensure the batteries are charged and everyone is comfortable and ready to lounge in style!
For our Tulane readers, here’s some advice from the Chaissez Ladies: If you’ve got a wild idea brewing in that creative mind of yours, don’t just sit there—jump in and start from scratch! Building something from nothing is a thrilling adventure that will teach you things you won’t learn in a classroom. Sure, you’ll hit a few bumps along the way, but think of them as personal growth spurts. You'll be bursting with pride when you push through and reach those epic milestones!
Now, let’s talk about networking—think of it as your secret weapon! You’ve probably heard how important it is, but those connections are pure gold, especially when you’re doing something brand new and fabulous! Need a warehouse? Check! Looking for a power chair guru? Done! Insurance agents? Yep, got those too! The Chaissez Ladies have leaned on their amazing network to make things happen. They are incredibly grateful for the gems of wisdom they've snagged from friends in other parading groups—shoutout to the Pussyfooters, Rolling Elvi, Krewe du Vieux, and Merry Antoinettes! You never know who might have the advice you need to take your idea to the next level!
Now, you might be wondering how one becomes a lady of lounging. Due to the complicated logistics of storing and transporting the motorized lounge chairs, the club has capped its membership at 30. Currently, there are 24 members and 23 chairs ready to show New Orleans their lounging lifestyle.
If you're interested, you can sign up to receive emails from the Chaissez Ladies, and new applications for the 2025 carnival season will be out shortly—don’t miss it!
