There was MUCH anticipation for the launch of TRIBE/Bliss costumes and I could not go a few days without someone who somehow saw the costumes describing to me how fabulous they thought they were. To say that my expectations were high is an understatement; I was looking forward to out of the box, creative, stunning costumes from TRIBE/Bliss and overall I do think they succeeded in impressing me sufficiently. As always there are some costumes that I love more than others but Carnival 2011 is a solid year for TRIBE with almost all of there costumes getting a thumbs up from Saucy aka The Sauce (and for those who have a problem with my name "The Sauce" of all things Carnival...bite me!)
So, without further ado here is my take on the costumes section by section:
Gladiators (Monique Nobrega) - The first section on stage and the male costume is strong, it is pretty hard to mess up a male Gladiator costume and with the accessories, breast plate and headpiece you can almost see this one in Harts as well. Good job on the male. The female's headpiece was lovely, I liked the shape of it and the disc details on the crown. The strapless bra is different for TRIBE in a floor member costume and I do love the belt which mimics the male as well as the arm piece which is just one side; I hope both versions of the costume come with the shield and sword.
Mongol Fighters (Gail Cabral)- The spiked shoulder pads sell this costume for me, as well as the looped detail on the bra and the belt which looks as if it has layers to it made of straps, chain and discs. Loving the spikes on the headpieces as well as what looks like a metal piece across the top of the bra. For one thing these costumes all have little elements that accessorize very well. I think the colour looks much better in person, and the males will also like this one. To be the honest the Individual looks more Brazil than Mongol, like it, just wished that the back pack didn't remind me of something from last year. The body of the Individual costume is fabulous especially the extended shoulder pieces.
Persian Gold (Solange Shaw Gopaul)- A VERY pretty section, soft, feminine and not at all looking like a Warrior with any hard edges, spikes or studs. The floor member of this section is very pretty, I absolutely adore the jewel encrusted bra, belt and the shape of the headpiece; cute collar but you know how I feel about collars generally. The frontline is gorgeous, I am glad that this designer, of Mystery of Loulan fame, did a 180 and went with no headpiece this year and instead did a lovely backpack. Did you see the arm pieces on this costume? Wow, my favourite part! As expected this costume uses many jewelry details, the necklace, head band, Bra and belt are all worked up with lavish crystal pieces. The shade of purple is the most beautiful I have seen on a costume in a long time. Simple male costume, much more attention was placed on the female costume for sure.
Xi'An (Sandra Hordatt) - One of my favourites of the night. Sandra Hordatt managed to do an entire costume without using one single feather or bead. The neckpiece, bra, leg pieces and headpiece of the frontline looks like it is constructed from metal and seeing this person it really brings the WOW factor right up there. I am loving the gems used, instead of regular beads, on both the floor member and frontline costume. All I can see is this copper, bronze and gold costume looking amazing under the sun! Top marks for the individual costume as well, no feathers but a stunning sunburst back pack made the crowd go wild. Wish the male was a bit more creative as was the female.
Knights Templar (Melissa James) - One of the few sections to use "bling" on the costume and I think it is just enough to satisfy those looking for something bright and shiny. I am not a lover of pink costumes but I do like the colour on this one a lot. I like how the arm and footpieces on the female costume mimic a Knights armor, the male costume should have had this detail as well. Pretty crystal and diamante encrusted bra and belt, like I said, lots of "bling"!
Iroquois (Rhiannon Pemberton) - I love this costume! When I first heard of the colour combination I was skeptical but the mix is gorgeous! It looks Indian which suits the name, especially with the beading on the female headpiece. The headpiece looks like it is feathers but it also looks like it can be fabric, I need to get up close to examine it it in detail, however, loving the sunburst effect! The beading on both floor member and frontline costumes is gorgeous, the frontline showed at the media launch was a monokini effect but the launch showed a wire bra; I prefer the monokini. Strong male costume that again fits the theme of this section , one of my favourite sections of both bands.
Sashura (Quita Correira) - A solid costume from a designer who gave us Serica this year. The frontline is lovely, I am guessing this is a Russian warrior with the fur and the shape of the headpiece which I am liking. The vikingesque almost cone bra on the frontline is novel, floor member body costume is nicer in person that the photos. The male costume is ok, one of the better ones for sure, I am just wondering how many guys will keep that headpiece on.
Amazons (Lana Nobrega) - Ooooohhhhhhh another favourite! I love love love this costume for several reasons! One is the use of mutli coloured feathers and it is AMAZON so I expect feathers. I love the bra, love the shape of the belt and all the feathered appendages and the frontline, is to die for! That back pack I have seen on a Brazilian costume on file in my secret stash of Brazilian costume photos , but hello it is AMAZON; the rive runs through Brazil not so? GORGEOUS, I LOVE it. The male is just as awesome, with the aztec looking headpiece (mixing cultures I know!). Lana has done an awesome job this year.Sign me up please!
Masai Tribal Warriors (Peter Elias) -Kudos to Peter for doing two completely contrasting and complementing costumes for his male and female. The female, wicked! Masai beading on the bra and belt, coupled with kente cloth and that fabric draped pole. I also love his mutli coloured Mohawk headpiece, gorgeous necklace and ear rings that can be worn long after Carnival. Loves it all kinds of loving! The male is also fabulous! As is Peter's standard no regular boy short, the wrapped bottom piece is all kinds of male sexy, and if you are man enough I dare you to rock the ear ring! Love how he also tied in the fabric on the pole for the men. Fierce!
Arctic Warriors (Monique Nobrega) - My least favourite section though to be fair I do love the belt and finger claws. Being an all silver section I think the details get lost in the monochromatic colour scheme and I am not really feeling the frontline bra though the effect is interesting. The male costume of this section is nice with the predator headpiece.
Mayan Eagle (Monique Nobrega) - This costume is amazing. I don't care who is yawning over the costumes not being out of the box enough but this one is different from any costume I have seen before in bikini mas. The wrapped top that looks like a sexy outfit really is not your normal bra top and that necklace with the fringe is fricking AWESOME! I love how the gems on the neckalce matches the headpiece, this just looks like very well designed, well thought out costume; it LOOKS Mayan. I am having a costumegasm over the frontline, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! My only wish is that the belt piece had some of the jewels on the necklace mirrored since the hot pants are so plain, however, it does not take away from the overall effect and the male costume is also gorgeous! I love this entire section. LOVE, Super Mo Mo brought it to the table with this one. And, lets not forget the male Individual, I think he overshadowed the female who just had a larger backpack, those wings!!! That loin cloth!!!
To sum it up I am very pleased with TRIBE's offering. The fact is that as much as masqueraders call for "out of the box" history has proven that they always choose the typical feathers and pretty costumes. I think TRIBE skirted the line of regular costumes and also gave us some creative touches as well to mix things up. The materials used in these costumes I think is what really sets them apart, you would notice there is hardly the regular beads used and very little of the traditional "bling". Of course you would need to be close enough to truly appreciate this fact, I can see how looking at the costumes from the live stream or even photos may not drive that point home. But being there in person and seeing the costumes I can tell you, I am loving this presentation, one of TRIBE's best to date!
P.S. Although I retired the word "bling", it made a unfortunate reappearance in today's review!
