One of my blog readers emailed me to vent a little; she had seen a few masqueraders from Imp in her section on Carnival Tuesday, including the designer herself and Ms. Tempo, and thought that their costumes looked different from what was advertised on TRIBE's website. After seeing other photographs of the two young ladies in costume on many photosites as well as comparing their costumes to what was offered to the "regular" masqueraders, the young lady who wrote me was quite peeved as it confirmed that the costumes were indeed different.
regular imps
regular frontline imps
diva imps
In her words this is what she said:
"Did you see the difference – Ms. Rovedas has altered her headpiece and made it diva fantastic for herself and her friends and left the other unappealing options to us minions. Now if what she is wearing was advertised and sold, I would have played in Imp. When I went to the mas camp to view the costumes I thought the colours were amazing but I hated the headpiece.
So are you telling me in order to have a costume go from so-so to super fabulous I have to have my own section in a band? Again damn it."
Even though Imp was not one of the costumes I gave a second thought after the launch, I do think that the colours looked beautiful on the road. I have absolutely no problem with the designer or even section leader making a special individual or frontline costume for themselves, in fact that is the freedom and perk that comes with the territory, and I am not here to "pong" Ms. Rovedas unfairly. However, I tend to side with the blogger that wrote me( most upset) if you are selling a costume that by no one's estimation is priced cheaply (Imp was one of the more expensive costumes) then why not offer a costume which is just as fabulous for all your masqueraders and not just to a select few?
One of the issues I personally had with Imp was that the costume clearly was not worth the price (are any of them worth it really?). I mean honestly the Imp costume could not have cost more that $300.00 to make and I am being generous! So, a few extra feathers on the headpiece to take it from "so-so to to super fabulous" was not going to break the bank. This special headpiece of Imp looks even better than the Frontline Imp in my estimation. Maybe the designer of the section could have possibly reworked the Imp headpiece, as was done with Majorette and offer a scaled down version of what she eventually wore to all masqueraders. Then there would be no disgruntled feelings among some people upon seeing how fabulous THAT particular Imp looked on Carnival Tuesday.
To the other designer's credit (and not only in TRIBE) the ones I identified were wearing the same costume as their masqueraders; Gail Cabral, Monique and Lana Nobrega were all dressed in "regular" costumes like everyone else; in Island People I saw Sandra Hordatt looking very nice in the Goddess Frontline costume, cage bra and all. It just shows some form of solidarity and faith in your costume that it is good enough, as is, for not only your masqueraders to wear but also you and your friends!
One of the issues I personally had with Imp was that the costume clearly was not worth the price (are any of them worth it really?). I mean honestly the Imp costume could not have cost more that $300.00 to make and I am being generous! So, a few extra feathers on the headpiece to take it from "so-so to to super fabulous" was not going to break the bank. This special headpiece of Imp looks even better than the Frontline Imp in my estimation. Maybe the designer of the section could have possibly reworked the Imp headpiece, as was done with Majorette and offer a scaled down version of what she eventually wore to all masqueraders. Then there would be no disgruntled feelings among some people upon seeing how fabulous THAT particular Imp looked on Carnival Tuesday.
To the other designer's credit (and not only in TRIBE) the ones I identified were wearing the same costume as their masqueraders; Gail Cabral, Monique and Lana Nobrega were all dressed in "regular" costumes like everyone else; in Island People I saw Sandra Hordatt looking very nice in the Goddess Frontline costume, cage bra and all. It just shows some form of solidarity and faith in your costume that it is good enough, as is, for not only your masqueraders to wear but also you and your friends!
All photos: www.carnivalscene.com
34 comments:
Morning Sauce...I absolutely agree with your thoughts... Ms. Rovedas has the option of making her costume super fabulous, but honestly, I would have felt a bit jilted knowing I spent so much money on a regular costume with a very modest headpiece and then seeing her diva headpiece on the road.
Which brings me to another thought...I wonder if let's say Ms. Rovedas wore the regular backline or frontline headpiece and then saw another Imp masquerador redesign the headpiece and make it superdiva...like hers....hmmmm...just a thought. No bashin at all to Ms. Rovedas...I think her costume this year was fabulously done...beautiful beautiful colours!
Kudos to Lana, Monique, Gail and Sandra as well!
Well I guess if I were a designer and saw a masquerader revamp my costume I would give them kudos of their creativity but I would also think that something was "lacking" in the original design to have them spend extra money to make the costume pleasing to their standards :S
Ms Rovedas looked really good in her costume, I think she is gorgeous and I don't mind her playing in her diva costume but....just that she could have juiced up the back line a lil bit more.
I played in Wild Samanzi last year which was also created by Ms. Rovedas. And on the road her costume had a little more "oomph" than the regular masqueraders then as well. (this was also a not so hot headpiece btw I think that's her weak spot). This didn't bug me really since after all she created the section but A little more beads on mine would have been nice. I added them myself and it looked fantastic after that. However it was nice this year to wear the costume right out of the box and not have to make any adjustments to make it better.
In short, yes, for the $ why not make it a little more embellished and it might make me vex if I saw someone's costume looking hotter, but I can't hate cause if I created a section I would want to stand out and be more fabulous... after all don't we all want to be the hottest masqueraders and shine in the crowd?..
It is interesting that this was posted b/c an Anon. poster commented on something similar to this just the other day. It is quite eerie:
"where members (and not just front line sections) get specialized prettier and more extravagant versions of the costumes the regular TRIBE revelers get to pick from...that way everyone on the road AND in the band will know you're extra extra special!"
:o
I, for one, can empathize with what the blogger in this email felt when she witnessed this on the road. Rovedas' Imp differed only in headpiece; it was essentially unaltered otherwise. I didn't really believe the extra feathers on the headpiece made it that great! IMHO she could have jazzed up the entire section a bit more overall with better materials and I have always maintained this. I feel a section leader's costume should forever carry a lil' extra "umph" to maximize the "wow" factor. So she did that, and that's no sin. But if one starts doing it just for friends alone and not anyone else in the section, I believe that there is evidence of very little faith to be had in one's design. I agree with you on this Saucy. This is why I respect Sonia Mack. Her masqueraders always look on point because she offers several options to accommodate differing tastes and body types. What she designs is worn by both Natania and herself...And everybody else, which is of significance. Crystal Aming is another who wears her mas exactly as she designs it. Last year, her "Pride" costume was no different than anyone else's in IP. Neither was Destra's. Nor Danielle Jones'.
As a masquerader in Harts for many years I grew accustomed to top notch, durable, and well decorated mas. In addition to this, I ALWAYS add extra special touches to my costume EVERY year for my own individuality. This is why I was VERY disappointed with the costume quality in TRIBE this year and sought to make my own efforts to "spruce up" the costume to my standard of liking so to speak. I was actually approached by folks in TRIBE who wanted to know exactly why I did what I did and they told me they agreed it brought out the beauty of the costume. They also told me to let them know in the future what I would do with a section I played in. That's if I chose to play with them again. So they liked it, they weren't angry at all.
One postpartum friend was still very self conscious and requested assistance in "gussie-ing up" her Jab Jab. This then resulted in upgrades for:
Two rigged out Jab Molassie backlines.
One tarted up Jamette.
Another primped up Jab Jab.
Two bedizened Harts sections.
Everyone had fun with the "bedazzling" and looked spectacular when I saw 'em on the road.
I would do the same to IP's costumes, which I find very beautiful and THE BEST decorated. If I ever played in any of their sections, the nonconformist in me would always want to figure in an alteration somehow. (Shrugs shoulders.)
So with all of this blahhh and rah rah I typed, the point I'm REALLY making is this: Never hold someone else responsible for how YOU look. I don't trust ANY section designer/leader THAT much. Yes, we pay money to look good in our mas, but the costume is just the concept. I is I and dem is dem. I'm not getting vexed at anyone who chooses to individuate their own "ting". God has blessed me with a creative mind and two capable hands to do the job precisely how I want. If I can't do it, I find someone who can. Do deh do, don't let deh do "do" you.
Perhaps Ms Rovedas or an associate of hers will read this and let her know how you really feel! ;)
I dont really mind the designers of a section vamping up their personal costumes.. I DO have a problem with costumes being advertised one way on the website and in reality, looks like the kids version. For example, Majorette's "backpack". Were they really serious with those 3 feathers? And another problem I had were Bat's frontline wings. On the website, those wings looked very pretty and were much larger and taller than the flimsy wings they gave the masqueraders.
Dolli love your insight, and I did not notice you changed your costume to make it "extra" special, I thought you looked fab just as is lol. I am with you, normally I too make alterations to my costume because I PERSONALLY want to "stand out", not because the costume was lacking in some way. I guess we both have that in common, and we want people to know that WE know we are extra extra special :D
Anyway I am not mad at Ms Rovedas in anyway for how fantastic she looked in her jazzed up Imp, like u said to circumvent the whole issue what would have been nice is if she also offered the same option for her masqueraders.
I already sent my feedback to TRIBE stating that I would love to see more frontlines,so hopefully 2008 we will see both "regular" and "diva" costumes for ALL masqueraders to choose from ;)
There is a difference between "jazzing" up a costume to suit your personal style and "redoing" a costume because of false advertising/chupid design. Island People hands down have the better designers and I am hoping that one day they get they customer service in order..at the end of the day when I lil tight and me and Uncle Johnny holdin hands dong on de foreshore I eh really care if meh bead fall off or if meh feather fall nah lol
Yes Saucy,
Mo' and mo' frontlines are always nice...LMAO. It is my joy to see an increasing number of the lovely ladies embracing their inner F.H.O., yuh know? For 2K8 I starting allyuh divas off early! I sprinkling H.O. dust all up and thru de place from NOW! :D
*SPRINKLE!*
*SPRINKLE!*
*SPRINKLE!*
Waitahminute...There are male F.H.O's too. Comeandgetit fellahs!
Nairian, you didn't like the Wild Samazi headpiece? It thought it was one of the better ones...Resembled ah shark fin coming up out of the water. Doh be vexed with Ms Rovedas. Worry about the one who designed Drum Majorette and Sea Whips. Headpiece change every year. Heaven help us all!
I'm sorry, but no one could tell me ANYTHING about my individual costume if I were a section leader. Rovedas' rhel tame if allyuh ask me! It would be bacchanal and wildness for DAYZZZZZ. I could tell allyuh, but allyuh would just have to wait fuh meh to bring out meh section. ;)
LOL!
Yes Dolli I saw the male F.H.O.'s LOL
I like Wild Smazi headpiece, thought it fit the whole under the sea theme. Her costume for 2005 was nice but I find the colour was too dark...it was one the choices I had to pick from so I remember it clearly.
Loved Achean Oddessy.. I wonder if Bridget Pouchet is coming back to TRIBE in 2008? Her designs are lovely as well :D
And the Bat costume,wasn't that done by the Atlantis girls? That costume...dunno what to say...
Where are the GREAT designs of the past... I think I going and look for some costumes to remind TRIBE how fabulous they looked once upon a time :D
There's nothing wrong with a section leader vamping up her own costume. But I understand the irate bloggers point! This is why I do as I please to make my costume mine. Alot of people kept asking me where I got my headpeice from and if it was part of the frontline. When infact I decided to not wear my bat headpiece because I just thought it would be too cumbersome with wings and such. Because of my decision not to wear my headpeice my aunt was able to see me in my section out of dozens people.
I made you out too bagogyul ;)
"There is a difference between "jazzing" up a costume to suit your personal style and "redoing" a costume because of false advertising/chupid design."
Yes, DeRedTing I was bothered by the fact that some IP masqueraders felt that they didn't receive what they paid for. UPFRONT & IN FULL, I might add!
As for TRIBE, YES Skyedc I thought ALL of their backpieces could've used some serious CPR this year with the exception of the Imp wings. Much too frugal with those chinky feathers. 2K6 was proper, what happened for 2K7? Lushness WAS seriously lacking. And allyuh know how I feel about de so called "Bat"....
Reds, yuh dun know yuh is my newandmostbestedestfren4evah right? :D
Nah, I prissy and shameless enough to admit I CARE about meh beads, feathers, crystals, and what not. I have pushed smelly and sweaty menz off of me in the past if I feel they go wreck my flow. :S I guess I must be a "typical" Harts or TRIBE lady....Steups. Even with the alterations, my costume this year was the MOST poorly made I've EVER worn. It may have looked good to some, but I was not to thrilled about it. Harumph!
Way back when, in the days of half-decorated bras and plain spandex tops, I used to have to jazz up my costume, adding extra beads or sequins here and there. Everybody did really, as the costumes were much simpler and allowed a lot of room for creative embellishment.
But these days, Harts costumes are so heavily decorated that there's often no space to add extra stuff even if you wanted to! And at the end of two days of wining and jamming not a single bead or plume was missing, talk about durable!
Contrary to what most bands are doing, one of the trends I'm seeing in Harts the last few years is their available option of smaller headpieces in almost every section, some of them no bigger than a tiara.
I suppose it's a good thing for those who don't want to be burdened with a big headpiece, or maqueraders with a more limited budget. I personally am not on board with that. I am all about 'headpiece overload', and ah don't care who eye get jook out!
One thing I noticed Dolli was that they did not change the strings on your costume for the leg and foot pieces!!!! Remember when I took the endless pics for you from all angles and I saw the ugly string and it was supposed to be only on the prototype? humph!
squeezle I noticed that with Harts as well, I don't care for the tiny headband/piece with one feather either, but lots of people seem to like it! The price makes the costume attractive as some of them were only $1600.00! So there you have it.
Prettidolli,
I thought the headpiece on its own with the fin and the beads was very pretty and it is sitting on display on my self at home like a sculpture, but when worn it was awkward and made me & my friends funny looking. It was hard to find a hairstyle to wear it with as it was like a mini cap.
maybe because it was my very first time playing and I had images of grand feathers and such that I was a little dissapointed by it? The costume tho I LOVED the cut of the bra was sooo flattering and I liked the bottom after the beads were added as a fringe.
LOL @ Squeezle:
Yes, I've seen that Harts has the smaller headpiece option now and I too think it's great! Not everyone prefers the "bruk and chook out" large headpieces that you, I, and Sauce seem to favor.
"Dolli I did not notice you changed your costume to make it "extra" special. I noticed they did not change the strings on your costume for the leg and foot pieces!!!! Remember when I took the endless pics for you from all angles and I saw the ugly string and it was supposed to be only on the prototype?"
Sauce I was SO DISGUSTED by this! Especially when I received a communique from the mas camp indicating they'd change this as well as add bust support for the costume as the swimsuits were manufactured without. And I have a black version of the swimsuit at home with both bust support and crotch lining!
As you know, I didn't wear the leg pieces on my legs and ran to Samaroos to find something to replace those strings, but nothing prevailed. So extra rhinestones were added to pump up the "bling" factor throughout the costume, but the strings stayed. *YUCK!* They were an absolute nuisance on the road. Did u see on their website how the leg pieces were placed on the arms and vice versa on the model? And while on her legs, the arm pieces were upside down? :o At least I think so!
Let's not mention the lackluster velcro that was used that would disassociate itself ever so easily. ESPECIALLY in the rain! But then again, my costume was too big. Double sided tape reigned supreme.
Thanks a million once again for those pics Sauce as they were a deciding factor as to how I'd upgrade that costume!
And I see what u mean Nairian.
Not to mention how my costume was STILL not ready when I called Cascadia and visited the mas camp. Or how my headpiece wasn't ready either. Or the fact that ONLY the headpiece contained Swarovski when I was promised otherwise. Or the girl crying in Cascadia when she was told there was no headpiece for her Warrior Spirit costume b/c they ran out! :o She wasn't even offered a discount in price! That should've been me.........
But I'll give 'em credit as I received a phone call while with Red Ants early Monday morning telling me they were delivering my headpiece N-O-W. I asked for them to delay delivery and they VERY PROMPTLY brought it when I asked. And while pleasantly wishing me the best mas experience EVER for 2K7. Nobody pelting sh*t at me over a wall. The list could go on and on, but yuh can't beat that!
Imp's colors looked pretty good on the road, the costume was not all that and needed some jazzing up. I agree that that special headpiece should be available to all and not just a select few. That headpiece would have been a factor for me in choosing Imp over Dragon. On a side note relating to Imp, I see thay had a male Imp Frontline with long pants. Seeing that he wears the special headpiece, I can assume that he too was part of the designer's clique. A long pants option could have also been offered to the men.
Wow, I did not know there was so much DRAMA with the costume :S Girl, you pulled it off though and I know you would have expressed all your feelings clearly :D So for 2008 they know where to pull up their socks!!!
Dolli..as your newandmostbestedestfren4evah I am humbled to say Thank you..and if dat was U in de frontline Dragon costume den lady I have real pics of U. U were amazing and the standard of how I wanna look in my costume. Fake eyelashes and all! lol
See your point about the drama with your costume and how "yuh cah beat dat" interms of customer service and trying to make it right... imagine dem was island people nah look ting.
It all goes back to us demanding exactly what we pay for and getting only the best for our hard earned $$$. YUH tink Dean and dem accepting a Sunny when dey paying for a BMW? ha ha ha
Don't notice any difference, but I guess close up you could? I'm accustomed to altering/adding to my costumes to give them my own unique touch, (this year was the 1st time I didn't have to) & I know others so it. It's not a big deal, IMO.
Hahahaaaaaaaa is right! Just because they dish it doh mean we have to accept that nonsense at arlll at all. I got my swimsuit, it had some lil' dark marks on it and I sent it back. I was given ah next one...Marks also AND a size L! Sent back again until it was gotten RIGHT. It was MY own fault and NOT TRIBE's that I selected a M, it was much too big. S would have been far better. I checked EACH & EVERY piece for missing rhinestones, if missing, sent it back till it was gotten right. I like ah taut thong too, heehee. I paid for every last damn bead and bauble on that thing and I EXPECT to receive it! My mum WAS and IS a discriminating customer and she raised me in the same manner. I won't tell allyuh about meh auntie in S.America who does take a magnifying glass to she Carnaval tings eh! Leave no stone unturned. Demand the VERY BEST in what you pay for.
This is why I cannot BELIEVE Pulse 8 cleared out a whole entire section and placed masqueraders some where else LAST MINUTE! What about all of those months planning boots, accessories, etc.?
I want to say true things about TRIBE also, b/c I'm fair and it's not just IP et al. sinning alone. But I tell yuh wha...If I did get pelt with ah goody bag I feel someone wouldah get pelt back...RHEL HARD. UNCOUTHNESS at its best, NOT ME papa! Meh name ent Rover and I ent running after no one's gravy train dey like in those commercials. And I feel I's meh daddy's nice chile on ah normal day. But nononono doh phuck wid meh......And I ent standing up in de St Ann's Cascadia shedding tears on anybody's account. Sorry. Wrong girl.
Sauce, I wasn't too upset about the drama b/c I arrived in TNT very late, so it allowed me to run 'bout and help the other ladies wid their tings. Like ole Poison, we have MORE FUN at Samaroos...LOL! But it was really UNNECESSARY as they launched in August 2K6. I was like, what in the BLUE HELL were allyuh doing? Chatting up Senvia & counting we money?
DeRedTing, I wasn't in de Dragon section, but my girl was and she looked FABULOUS! You are so so right! I had orn fake lashes too if that helps...LOL!
Dolli u alone were not surpised about that Pulse 8 bait and switch and more so I am quite in awe that no one else mentioned it except HQ in her review!! The most disturbing part of that was the idea that people were "put" in a next section...ahm, after I chose my costume and u ent get it from China how could u just put me in a next section? I hope they gave masqueraders the choice of their money back cause if I could not be placed in a section of MY choice then that would be what I wanted ..
And no one said TRIBE was perfect, but if it were any other band you will hear comments like "I had a great time on the road and that is all that matters" or "people does only focus on petty things" or "as long as the costume HOT I taking the goody bag pelting at meh over the wall me eh care". It's amazing what people are willing to overlook in their support of their band of choice and would not even admit that there were problems.
I did my whole feedback post and highlight good and bad. And if I were in the sections in the back that got left behind it would have been a TOTALLY different kettle of fish.. Lord knows why I was not in Fireman .
I tell yuh wha Sauce!
I did see the Imp pics when the gallery first went up with Rovedas' headpiece, and in my heart I KNEW it would cause problems. So here I go, being psychic again....
1-800-CALL-MEH-NOW!
Random question,
I noticed some ladies in both IP and tribe with halter bras but some with hooks like a bra and some witih strings like a swim suit. When and where are the different options offered? Did the websites offer this during registration. And i mean in the same section eh. Two different types of bras.
Jamette I cannot answer your question... maybe different sized bras were a diff style.
I know the D cups and up got the "ugly" bras from TRIBE! That I did not like AT ALL.I heard Jab Molassie bras were wonderbras but only for the small cups..chups! I know caisoqueen said her bra was diff. from the others on Fireman and Kevianne's friend also had a diff Jab Jab bra to hers.. so why can't they make sexy bras for bigger cups.. VS does it!
Check out Kevianne and her friend with the "ugly" bra:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l45/trinicarnivaldiary/Bloggers%20Carnival%202007/IMG_9437.jpg
Hmmmm..interesting. I was wondering because the halters i saw with the strings were not necessarily on the smaller cups, i saw some of the strings straining in the back they get pull so tight, thats why i first noticed.
My friend's bra did not fit and it was supposedly a D... the reason from TRIBE was that the bras are made in China and women over there are smaller... hmpf...
They had to use a D Jab Molassie Bra, rip off the applique take the applique off the original Jab Jab Yellow Bra and reapply it to the Jab Molassie one. Thank god they were both the same yellow.
Luckily it turned out amazingly good, that was one hangy glue gunner working at the mas camp boy.
You couldn't tell the difference between hers and mine
That fella at the mas camp doing costume adjustments worked over time! He had to adjust my headpiece too.
jamette some ppl carried their bras to the camp to get done up apparently.
But how nobody eh mention cow mas? I think that was a let down to many ppl.It did not look well made at all. Many ppl did not even where the chaps!!The highlight of the costume! Doh say I say but the designer(s?) did not play in their own section Mon OR Tues. I have no faith in a section leader who does not believe their section is the hottest thing in the band to wear it themself. This is why I always in Lana section cause she wearing her costume Mon and Tues.
Speaking for us bigger chested ladies and acording to be bra fitter at Nordstrom...producing sexy bras for bigger cups presents a logistical problem. Finding Materials that support and flatter is dificult once u start getting past a C cup. So Sauce to answer your question why sexy bras dont come in larger cups. U ever notice that the bigger the cup gets the more "Grannyish" dey look and dey always white or some ugly arse colour..ah lil sensative on de bra issues so doh geh meh started lol
WAIT AH MINUTE...Dolli was not u in a yellow frontline costume wid plenty feather? Oh gosh sorry well who ever that lady is she have my vote mistaken identity dey sorry sorry lol. But in dis case great mistaken ID that lady really fit her costume nice.
deredting who u lecturing on bigger bras? What size do you think I wear :D ?
I know ALL too well,the challenges of being over a D cup.
But I can get cute SEXY bras at VS and Fredericks as well as this U.K. site which goes up to K:
http://www.bravissimo.com/bravissimo/
No "granny bras" for me !
I want to order a swim suit from that site!
if i was in imp and i saw that headpiece i would be too vex. ppl payin good money for these costumes. how about rewardin the people investment and giving them the BEST available, the best possible.
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