Carnival 2009 saw frontline costumes that were for the most part very well done with gorgeous headpieces, backpacks and extra embellishments;those of us who played frontline were not disappointed at all. The one thing I remember hearing after the launch of the big bands, albeit, is that the backline costumes were just the opposite of the frontline, with simply decorated bras and belts and small basic headpieces.
The sentiment expressed after band launch was that frontline was all great and fabulous looking but backlines were being short changed. And, at the launch frontline costumes made a huge impact, basically selling a section where the backline costume was very basic. Basic to the point that the costume is just a scantily decorated bra, scantily belt and tiny headpiece where you can almost count the feathers, all this for a whopping price tag!
The sentiment expressed after band launch was that frontline was all great and fabulous looking but backlines were being short changed. And, at the launch frontline costumes made a huge impact, basically selling a section where the backline costume was very basic. Basic to the point that the costume is just a scantily decorated bra, scantily belt and tiny headpiece where you can almost count the feathers, all this for a whopping price tag!
The trend seems to be really focusing on frontlines to make them stand out, seemingly putting less thought and effort into the backline. Case in point would be the wildly popular Brazilian Macaw section from TRIBE. This section was rumoured to have 60 frontline costumes, and at the launch the backline costume was so bare a feathered collar was added afterwards to give it some substance. The thing is for me, why should you have such a huge frontline in the first place? The frontline costumes should be reserved and select but it should not be the only choice masqueraders think they have because the other option, the backline for the section, just does not give one a fantastic costume.
I loved the fact that African Love Bird gave masqueraders customizable pieces to the whole costume, options to be as simple (with small headpiece and small collar) or as elaborate (with large headpiece, collar plus a skirt) as masqueraders wanted to be. Another section leader who has always given their masqueraders the opportunity to be as scaled down or dressed up as the like is Sonia Mack. This may be a good alternative to adopt for backline costumes across the board, giving masqueraders who want either a simple or more elaborate backline costume that selection, since the backline babes expressed a general disappointment with costume choices this year.
With band launching for Carnival 2010 coming soon, I know many bands are still in the process of finishing and tweaking costume prototypes. As a masquerader who, for whatever reason, favors the backline or floor member or regular costume option do you prefer a very simple costume without all the fuss that comes with frontline or would you expect that the backline babe gets just as fantastic a costume as the frontline but on a smaller scale?
Leave your comments, I would really like to hear thoughts on this.
With band launching for Carnival 2010 coming soon, I know many bands are still in the process of finishing and tweaking costume prototypes. As a masquerader who, for whatever reason, favors the backline or floor member or regular costume option do you prefer a very simple costume without all the fuss that comes with frontline or would you expect that the backline babe gets just as fantastic a costume as the frontline but on a smaller scale?
Leave your comments, I would really like to hear thoughts on this.
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11 comments:
thought and effort should be put into every single costume be it regular or front line, the days of slapping materials together has long passed, it's time to put thought and effort into what is being done.
I for one do not like all the fuss and elaborate designs that go with a frontline costume...albeit they look fabulous!!! But as a masquerader who really gets into playin my mas..those extra offerings hold me back...case in point Autumn Sprite 08- those wings were a major deterrent to me.
I wouldn't mind a bigger headpiece though..or more embellishments on the belt and bra..but I can do without the excess
I know the question was directed to those who favor floor member costumes, but I wanted to share my input as someone who actually loves the FL extras.
For the most part, the BL costumes I've seen are actually the FL costume minus large headpiece/backpack/wings etc. I think that works. It gives the section a uniformity and (in my mind at least lol) shows that the FLs paid more only because MORE material was used on our costumes....not because our costumes were downright better.
Brazilian Macaw is one of the few I've seen where the backline costume differed from the FL. If a designer is gonna make a different costume, it needs to be FAB in its own right (which is why the feathered collar was added) so that masqueraders don't feel cheated.
I think that with the amount of $$$ masqueraders are shelling out, BOTH FL, BL, (and male) costumes should be fabulous.
I am one of those who feels shortchanged by the complete lack of effort & quality control for the regular costumes. SC proved that to me this yr. I was SO upset about the quality of my costume when I collected it. You know that sick feeling when you know you've been ripped off! Then its turns into anger! That's how bad I felt.
To me the whole frontline thing has become a clever means of price differentiation. 60 frontliners in one section? That's much more about maximising profit by charging more to those willing to pay more.
I am a big fan of the African Lovebird method. I thought it was brilliant that masqueraders had choice. After all the money & effort you put out, it's great that you can get exactly what you want.
And what about the males? Who always seem to end up with just board shorts and a sorry excuse for a costume? There the ones getting ripped off the most!
When you really look at it the average price of male costume cost around $440US. And all you get is a cheap A$$ pair of $5 shorts and a piece of cardboard and elastic around your neck, waist and head with maybe some beads or feathers hanging somewhere. The material for the entire costume probably is worth maybe $30 tops. Now is that worth the whopping price tag? Obviously they are making a killing off our hard earn $$$. I’ve personally went into stores in the garment district in NYC and could probably buy all the materials to make the most lavish FL female costume and not spend more than $50-$75US. Maybe I’m in the wrong business, I should start my own band…
I always play backline, and I love the fact that BL is simpler than FL. I played Caged Canary this year, and I was very happy with my BL when compared to FL. I would have been upset with Brazilian Macaw BL offering. But having all those extra wings and feathers, like DQ said, would hold me back on the road.
I do like when the costume has options however...if I had the option of having a bustle, I would probably have chosen that, but nothing else.
well i am generally a backline betty but honestly after trips band launching i felt as if i only like the frontline but i knew i would be comfortable on the road with them on so i decided to stick with back line. I played in caged canary backline and i felt as if it was missing something..
I think Spangled cotinga was a good example of what the difference should be.
Exactly redwhiteblack. I felt very shortchanged when I picked up my TRIBE costume last year (Luna section). I bought it from someone so I had no idea what I was buying. When I opened the box all I could say was WTF -- for almost $600.USD I got a $20 USD halter and a bikini that can't bloody fit although it was my size. I even lost weight to be skinnier than I normally am for carnival. My headpiece was a headband (no feathers) and wings like a 5-yr old child's halloween costume. Not worth the price.
BTW --- bands need to get a new swimsuit supplier because those bikinis aren't cut true to size.
I understand if some persons prefer a simple BL. To each his own. However for that kinda money desingers need to come again. BL gets crapped on.
And yes the African Lovebird and Sonia Mack model of costume customizing works beautifully. IP's Afrodisiac was the same way and it worked. Looooved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I firmly believe options should be given to masqueraders to dress down or up their costume. So instead of people rushing off to Samaroo's to add embellishments to their lack luster costume, what should happen is that they are greeted with different choices at different price points to accommodate both their style and pockets.
Less front liners, I think we're sort of deviating from what the concept of frontline really was / is. And I think if you had a minimum no. of front liners and better package options overall, then you wouldn't have this exodus of people wanting to play in frontline because backline "looking so shitty". Because what happens now is this imbalance in the overall presentation of the masqueraders in their sections. The frontline should be this really fantastic embellishment the extra icing on the cake.
This year, although I intended to play in Spice's sea salt frontline i ended up playing in island people's 'Touch'. This costume had no back or frontline. it was just one great costume for about 500 usd it was worth every penny. And if every section had 'backlines' that looked like Touch I wouldnt mind playing in the back anyday. Now as for the other sections and this growing trend that seems to be passing an unspoken law that says backlines dont even get a headpiece at all!!!! WTF?!?! let a masquerader with the glorious crown of hair choose the option of not having a headpiece in exchange for a lower price as opposed to offering the bettys the luxury of playing mas in a headtie! come on, dont let them diminish the quality of mas!
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