Chesska Robinson is being highlighted for her innovative costumes for London’s Notting Hill Carnival, which celebrates Caribbean heritage.
She spends an entire year creating her exquisite designs, which are worn by the dozens of mas bands participating in the parades as they vie to be crowned the finest in the festival’s masquerade area.
Robinson told Euro News, ”Mas band consists of a group of people that take a truck to Notting Hill Carnival, or to any carnival, with masqueraders. Some have bands on them which play pan (steel drums), and then some have DJs which play kind of like a samba music.”
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The legendary Notting Hill Carnival, which started in the 1960s, is one of the world’s longest-running street parties. Typically held on the final weekend of August, the carnival attracts about two million people who travel from all across London to see the exciting march through the streets.
While the costumes have changed throughout time, the essence of the celebration has stayed constant, Robinson said.
“As you know, Instagram’s grown, it’s had an influence on how things are displayed and across all industries, but specifically with mas, it is definitely become a lot sassier”, the designer said.
Her collection for this year — Enchantress of the Corals — is inspired by an under-the-sea theme.
Robinson emphasized that, in her opinion, the carnival serves as a cultural exhibit and is crucial to educating the next generation.
She stated, “I think it’s important that our culture is still celebrated because it’s who we are. I think its important to display to our younger generations who we are and where we’ve come from. I can see the difference between me and my son and him having such a close attachment to carnival. I do my absolute best to bring him down… but it’s so important especially when teaching future genrations that we have something and it’s ours.”
This year’s carnival will take place from August 24 to 26.
