Words by Tishanna Williams
There was a time, not too long ago, when Carnival Monday in Trinidad was more casual, where it was good enough to rock a tank or tube top with your band’s insignia and cute cutoffs. And it used to be that Carnival Tuesday was the day when the fashion-forward got set to really glam up and show off those tight bodies they slaved in the gym for months to perfect.
Well, not anymore. Over the last few years mas bands and private designers have brought Monday Wear to the forefront of Carnival fashion. Females wearing elaborate bikini costumes on a Carnival Monday (for instance swapping their Tuesday headpiece with an jewelled headband or adding sexy embellishments) is nothing new, but the advent of a “Monday Wear” culture has invited independent designers to jump into the game. That’s opened the floodgates, with competing designers vying to have their work stand out and be chosen by the revelers. Each line has little extras designers hope will put them a cut above the rest.
Now it seems that ladies are just as excited about what they’re wearing on Monday as they are about their actual band costumes. It looks like 2015 will be the year of Monday Wear at Carnival. Here are three designers making an impact with their Monday Wear collections.
RHION ROMANY
Designing exclusively for TRIBE, Rhion’s 2015 collection is available in Black or White only and will run you about US$100. With names like “Sensuous” and “Ravage,” this collection is for the woman ready to unleash her inner wildcat!
J.ANGELIQUE
Not affiliated with any particular band, J. Angelique’s 2015 MonDiva collection is hot. J. Angelique has been steadily rising on the Trini design scene, catching the eye of divas of varying styles and she has not disappointed with this season’s line—she even designed drink cups for the collection. With prices ranging from US$75 – $220, there is also something for any pocket.
While we haven’t seen her 2015 designs yet, Christian Boucaud’s 2014 collection still has us reeling from bright colours and chic blend of African and Urban aesthetics. We’re going to go out on a limb here and suggest her 2015 collection will be one of the hottest on the market, sight unseen.
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