Zodeack Review

First off I would like to say thanks to the YUMA crew for allowing us, Afro Chic, Carnival Jumbie and I, full access to backstage with a preview and up close detailed look at the costumes. From that perspective  we were able to see the costumes in all stages, from lying on a table to the models getting dressed and then on stage. We also were able to examine each and every costume up close which I believe gave us an advantage over those of you seeing them for a few seconds on stage. 

And to the commenter who said “you mo-fos are ridiculous! Aftr people put their blood sweat and tears into their work..all you can do is sit there and critize!? “(sic). I hate to break it to you but this is what masqueraders do before we hand over our hard earned cash. We look at costumes in and out, poring over photos, making numerous trips to the mas camps and having consultations with friends. We DO have an opinion on whether we like costumes or not. After all, we are paying THOUSANDS of dollars for these blinged out bikinis . So until they are giving them away for free, I respect that a lot of hard work and effort would have gone into these costumes, but at the end of the day it is a product for public consumption and as a result it will be held up to measure. With that said, unto the costumes!

The Oracle

The frontline of this costume is very well done with all the bits and pieces that make up the bra , I love the fact that the back pack uses fabric as well as feathers and my opinion on it has not changed since the media launch. The regular costume is nicely finished as well, but I do have to say it reminds me of Spice’s Greece (circa Carnival 2010). Other than that I am liking this section, sure to be one that is popular. The Individual costume balanced a bit precariously on the model when she was on stage, leaning backwards, however she was dancing in the costume at the end of the show and did not seem bothered by the back pack.

Virgo

Interesting colour combination for Virgo as I was expecting white for virginity even though the colour associated with Virgo is blue, but I was definitely not expecting mauve and baby pink! This one did not stand out to me, when all the parts came together it looked “pretty” but I was expecting more from Virgo, something along the lines of the Individual costume. Too bad the female Individual model raced on an off the stage and the male looked as if he was having problems with his wings.

Libra

Different bra options for both the frontline and regular costume. Regular costume is simple but lots of gem work on the bra and belt. The frontline is lovely, but I have seen that backpack in Caspian Sea (I am sorry I know it is the same designers but I do have to point out the obvious). Other than that I really love the colour yellow and the overall impact of the frontline. I would love to know how comfortable the cut out bra was for the model as she was dressed for hours before the show.

Scorpio

One of my favourite costumes, if only because it is my Star Sign! Yes the beaded monokini reminds you of Spangled Cotinga but when last have you seen such a shade of red mixed in with black and a wicked Mohawk? Fierce! I love it. Now mind you I was expecting a tail or stinger of sorts on the frontline and I have to say I was disappointed that element was added to the individual costume. The regular costume is just as fierce but that belt may just be a tad too wide with all the stones, looks a bit chunky from afar.

Sagittarius

I like the decorated underwear and skirted bottom/belt, as an option apart from the teeny tiny belts on the other sections it could appeal to women looking for more coverage. However I am not partial to the colour, muted shades of earth tones don’t really grab me. The headpiece is interesting, and one of those that vary in style a bit thought they all basically have a similar shape. The “horse” element of the sign is captured in the headpiece with a braided ponytail….I will get back to you on how I feel about that one after I marinate on the idea!

Capricorn

I never really met a black and gold costume I liked until this one. I love the chains and the studded detail on the bra. At first when I saw it I went “what the hell is that supposed to be” But when all the parts came together I have to say I like it. I especially liked the sleeves on the frontline but those leg pieces! Great idea but not so good an execution as the model had issues in walking properly; I cannot see this working in a crowd on Carnival Tuesday . Love the headpiece with the gold feathers!

Aquarius

I still think the regular costume is very pretty, quite possibly one of the prettiest in the entire band. If this costume represented one thing it was all the stars in the night sky glittering with ALL that bling, wow, bling overload. The frontline costume sent the crowd wild, especially when they got a look at the back. I loved the Individual costume for this one, headpiece meets back pack ;very nice!

Pisces

I love the frontline costume with the plunge bustier; I get the “water” effect of this costume, very well done. The headpiece is a sort of 3 dimensional shape that is best observed up close. The regular costume is cute, and mirrors the frontline with the dripping beads and that headpiece that frames the face like a flying fish. Can you tell I am not a fan of this particular headpiece shape? I loved the wings on the frontline, liking anything with fabric on these costumes as it added something different and interesting with ALL that bling!

Aries

Disappointed that this costume is grey, I was looking forward to some more colour from Aries especially as this sign rules under the colour red. Rather generic regular costume, albeit well decorated. The frontline costume just had a larger headpiece but the Individual was  hot! I loved the structured dominatrix corset with the chains and that headpiece! This could easily be Scorpio as well. Aries the ram? Not seeing it, but I do love the Individual.

Taurus

Hands down Taurus is my favourite costume in the whole collection. I LOVE this shade of “earth tone”, the sandy colour and beige is supposed to represent a bull charging through dust….ok, then. Love the horns on the headpiece and LOVE the circular gemmed detail on the belt of the regular costume which is repeated in the gemmed over lay halter top of the frontline, HOT! This frontline would be my pick in YUMA, I love it.. love the backback with the horns…love everything about it. As for the individual costume those Swarovski covered sleeves look mighty familiar! And there are the pants I was hoping to see, I did have pants on my wish list for Carnival 2011. The male Individual needs to give those arm pieces to the male in TRIBE’s Xi An section!

Gemini

My least favourite section. I dig the belt on the frontline with the jeweled panties, however the panty needs more gems, as they are too spaced out so it looks unfinished. I do not like the shade of green or the mix with the pearls but the model wore this costume well! The regular costume is ok, the green is just not my personal favourite shade of green.

Cancer

The female costume is supposed to represent the coral that the male costume, the crab, rests on…..I would give kudos to the fact that the design details on the female costume does give a coral effect. The regular costume is nice, I like the bra and the shape of the headpiece as it is a bit different from the rest. The frontline has many things happening at once! I like the leg pieces and that underwear reminds me of Venus on a Half Shell for some reason. My main issue with this costume is the headpiece as it kept falling forward on the model all evening. Hopefully something that can be sorted out in production.

Leo

A controversial costume between Carnival Jumbie and myself, read her review for her take on it. I happen to like Leo! Ok so maybe I am not totally feeling the fur on the costume however I do like that headpiece! The use of hair weave? Brilliant! I love it, so you can comb and fluff your headpiece before hitting the road! Frontline Leo.. my word, I don’t think the crowd was expecting that back and I am sure I saw the President mopping his brow when the model turned around and her entire ass was outside! This monokini is NAKED! Clearly for the brave.

I am not even going to review the male costumes, for one the guys were in a hurry to get off the stage so I barely saw the costumes! I only remembered a few, Scorpio stood out as well as Taurus and Capricorn. But on the whole they were all rather generic, the females stole the show on the men once again.

Overall very pretty costumes no doubt, with TONS of bling and feathers. I gave up trying to “see” the star signs in the costumes as some of them did not even translate with the colour attributed with the Zodiac, theme, what theme? Just appreciate the costumes on aesthetic value. I do think many of the headpieces looked similar, same style, same placement of feathers so it did get a bit repetitive even though all the headpieces were well done. What I like is how finished all the costumes were presented; you can really see that the designers designed down to the last piece as a compliment to the costume. The main issue I think for some of the Individual costumes is that they looked laborious on the stage as the models had issues carrying them around. The good news is that all the bits and extras are all optional on the costumes, so you have the choice to remove or add pieces as you see fit.

So, tell me are you feeling YUMA?