Bliss Professional Photos and My Rant Of The Day

Bliss finally posted professional shots of the costumes on their Facebook Page so that the Males, Backlines and Frontline options can be seen as apparently some of the options shown at the  launch were Individuals, not Frontline. Albeit the professional photos look absolutely gorgeous with the lighting, editing and the resort styling they have going on looks pretty cool, I have seen the costumes in person and remain unimpressed still. I am yet to choose a section/costume that I would gladly hand over thousands of my hard earned cash for, which is insane at this moment because by now I would have had at LEAST one costume that I was absolutely in love with and just had to have. If it were not for the fact that I had a blast in Bliss this year, none of my friends are considering other bands or that I am hesitant to be seduced by a costume in lieu of knowing what I am getting for my money (holistically speaking) I would so be looking at other bands right now because I know a case of serious costume envy is coming soon with the band launches this weekend and the next. All the wings I ever wanted for Carnival 2012 plus some seriously fabulously decorated bras and unique costume design elements remain to be seen very soon.

Maybe I am jaded after seven straight years with TRIBE and always having a costume I want to play in  but none and I mean NONE of Bliss costumes appeal to me personally. Yes there are cute options and possibly some nice ones for other people but where I am concerned I am very disaapointed in my choices. To me it is like being forced to pick the one I dislike the least and working with it. I do not like the frills on Capri or the collar for the Frontline plus I played in white this year and my costume was so much superior to this one. Thailand not feeling the orange and teal combination as a choice for me this year to be honest or the Frontline "wings" or the under decorated bra or the belt; it is however one of the sections I might consider just for overall impact. Bali, not my favourite colours in this costume at all and I am thinking the hip wings will be so impractical on the road, plus it just irks me that those gems are used in Monaco also. Kuala Lumpur is  way too much green without contrast. Monaco is just not my taste or style; the bare underwear, fringe and colours are not working for me and  I cannot help but compare it with Ibiza which is a costume I LOVE. Bora Bora, Tahiti and Waikiki are simply not an option as they have no stellar Frontlines, sorry but what is now being touted as a "Frontline" headpiece used to be a regular one couple years ago.

So one week later after Bliss's launch and I am still stumped for a costume choice. I have even considered choosing a costume and just adding extras to my liking but when I think of the fact that I would be paying for a  Frontline costume that  I do not like, then have to spend more money to fix it to something I would enjoy wearing I just get annoyed that it would have to be even a consideration . As for an Individual costume, I do not want to or have a desire to play an Individual as all the feathers in the world is not worth Individual costume price to me. I draw a line at spending over a certain amount on a costume especially when I know how much gems and a lb of feathers cost! 

Ideally I would love Ibiza from TRIBE in Bliss. Now Ibiza is a costume I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE since it has all the right elements; a colour I have never played in before, unique body wear, lots of feathers and if I want to add extras to it I can. Sadly with the split in the camp it is either Ibiza in TRIBE and suffer the larger band that I do not care for or choose a costume I absolutely do not like in Bliss for the intimate experience. I have never had such a frustrating time coming to a costume decision and every time I look at my choices it just adds to the annoyance!  Maybe when I see prices or take a closer look at the Mas Camp I will come to a decision I can live with in clear conscience knowing that I am putting the road experience over costume for 2012 and feeling very unhappy that it is an either or selection. On a positive note the male costumes for Bliss are not totally tragic, check out the photos below:

Bora Bora

Bali 

Capri 

Kuala Lumpur

Monaco 

Tahiti

Thailand 

Waikiki

OASIS CARNIVAL presents NIPPON- ‘Land of the Rising Sun’

For the 2nd year in a row, Oasis Carnival is preparing to present to its patrons an energetic, explosive night they will never forget. On August 5th, at Anchorage Beach Club, Oasis Carnival will launch its 2012 selection- NIPPON- which translates into ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.

Inspired by Japanese designs, culture and clean lines, this selection promises to surpass what has been done in the past. The official unveiling will start at 11pm and 7 sections will grace the stage at Anchorage Beach Club. Some of the designers for 2012 include renown fashion designer Eclif Elie who is excitedly awaiting the release of his first ever Carnival collection- ‘Koi’ which is a homophone for another word that means "affection" or "love". Koi are therefore symbols of love and friendship in Japan. Other designers include Leslie Fitzpatrick, an ex national footballer and Stevie Sealy, Jody Ann Herde, Kim Lee Inniss, Mariella Navarro, Crystal Hepburn and Stacy Des Vignes who has been designing costumes for over 10 years.

‘Koi’ by designer Eclif Elie

These creative minds who have been involved in Carnival for over 25 years have come together to present the most intimate band launch to hit Trinidad and Tobago. On entry, patrons will be greeted with traditional Japanese décor and treated from beginning to end to an ultra exclusive experience. To keep the night swinging, there will be 2 for 1 specials all night long on premium drinks like Johnnie Walker, Bailey's and Hennessy to name a few. Patrons will be entertained by DJs High Fidelity less than zero, Private Ryan and Devon and Shot Master J. And of course, the night would not be complete without a live performance by Swappi.

Oasis models will grace the stage at 11pm sharp and the viewing will be streamed live on 3 sites- Red 96.7, Triniscene.com and Oasiscarnival.com.Oasis Carnival opened its doors in 2010 with the mission to create an intimate ‘family’ type Carnival experience, where there is space on the road to enjoy the mas and roaming the band is an option. For 2011, they exceeded anyone’s expectations; in 2012 with the support of their sponsors Heineken, Johnnie Walker, Bailey's, Smirnoff Vodka, Micles and Gatorade, they hope to continue their mission- Your experience; Our Passion.

All $125 tickets have sold out and only $150 tickets remain.

For ticket information or more information on Oasis Carnival call 486-2747 or visit the Oasis Mas Camp at #32 Rosalino Street, Woodbrook. Visit and Like our Oasis Carnival facebook page.

Fantasy Carnival Teaser

Bliss Website Coming Soon

YUMA Whoooo's Whooo Owling Contest

We told you YUMA is a movement. Its now time to Press Play and be part of an internet craze - OWLING! Be voted as the YUMA of the day to win two tickets to the YUMA launch at the Arcade, August 13, 2011 by:

1. Wearing YUMA branded gear/ YUMA/costumes visibly displaying YUMA logo on your body (non private parts only please :) )
2. Select a safe, danger free area to strike your Owl pose (YUMA accepts no liability for any injury posing for these Owling photos - be safe please); 
3. Have a friend take a photo of you Owling in your YUMA gear/ costume/ branded look; 
4. Upload the photo to the YUMA page & tag @yumavibe in the photo by 8pm each night Tuesday August 2 - Saturday August 6; 
5. Lobby for the YUMA's to "like" your photo to select you to win. 

YUMA of the day photos will be announced each am until the contest ends. 

Additional Notes

• YUMA encourages you to select safe, legal locations to OWL. YUMA is not liable for any injury/ lawsuits etc resulting from participating in this fun (Be SAFE and SMART nah man!)
• Likes MUST be from fans on the @yumavibe page only
• Negative comments about photos/ particpants will be removed - we encouraging positive vibes in the Yuma family
• Any lewd photos or photos that may be offensive will be removed from the page (again, positive vibes)
• In the event of a tie or at our discretion, we may select to have a "run off" to have YUMAs vote again to select a winner
• Those wishing to enter for fun (especially those from abroad) are free to do so and select two individuals to redeem tickets on their behalf (ID will be required to redeem prizes)
• YUMA reserves the right to use entries in future YUMA promotions
• YUMA can add additional twists to the contests going forward...Press play to SHUFFLE much? :) 

 Why are we doing this? 'Cause its different and fun. Besides we need SOMETHING to do until the launch right?! Can't wait to see the entries! 

The action starts on the YUMA page - Tuesday August 2, 2011. Who will be the 1st to win tickets to the YUMA launch? 

Island People Mas Teaser

Hello From Cropover

Bathsehba was an experience, Scorch was EPIC, Bliss was awesome and Booze Cruise today! Full review of all the events coming later.

Scorch Cooler Cruise

Island People Mas Teaser

Destination Bliss Video

Destination Bliss – The Review

To say I was nervous to see Bliss costumes after TRIBE’s presentation is an understatement. I wanted Bliss to wow and really bring the gorgeous costumes to match the theme. So it was with great excitement that I looked forward to last night’s launch and I have to say I left disappointed. Don’t get me wrong there are some workable costumes in Bliss but I have a particular interest in this band because I am just not looking at costumes aesthetically I am also looking at what I would play in and at this point, for me personally it would be none. Of course I will need a second, third and maybe even fifth look before I decide on a choice and I also need to know if what was shown was Frontline or Individual before I consider a costume because even the booklet does not show ALL of the costume properly. Now for the review:

Monaco

If Caged Canary and Mayan Eagle had a costume lovechild this would be it. I feel as if I have seen that colour combination already in TRIBE and I cannot help but think of Caged Canary when I see it. Also the long hanging fringe was a hit this year in both TRIBE and Bliss but I am not so enthused to see it reused again here as I was in Ibiza (TRIBE) which draped it differently and to me created a different twist on using the same fringe. I also do not like the plain undecorated underwear in lieu of a belt; it could have been decorated in my opinion. I do like the gems used for embellishments as well as the headpiece backpack combo albeit it is a pretty standard design.

Kuala Lumpur

This costume like others in the presentation has such an exotic locale/destination/name and yet it looks generic without even a hint of a resemblance to theme. Kuala Lumpur could have incorporated some East Indian elements in design, maybe in the decoration on the headpiece, or bra and even in the accessories used. Lots of feathers in the costume shown (not too sure if it is Individual or Frontline) and it reminds me of Mulberry (TRIBE secret of silk) a bit with that backpack.

Bali

I am liking Bali, even if it is done in two of my least favourite costume colours aside from black; pink and burgundy. This costume uses the same gems as on Monaco but I also like the metal detailing that makes up the belt, decorates the bra , headpiece and necklace. I think the leg wings/tail is an interesting piece to the costume and the model really worked it on stage.

Bora Bora

This is really a nice simple costume that uses fabric as the accent rather than beads and feathers. I think this is one of the standouts and even sticks to theme as it looks very tropical. I like the tie options of the bra and that the designers still gave you some bling to the costume. I am thinking it should have had different headpiece options for those who want a bit more than just that teeny headpiece. A fabric backpack for Frontline would really be fabulous for Bora Bora.

Thailand

Another costume that is lacking elements relating to theme, which is sad because an opportunity was missed to do something really spectacular with this costume using Thai influences in design. I am not too much of a fan of the colour combination but this costume (Individual? Frontline?) had the greatest impact on stage with ALL those feathers! I like the gem work on the costume however I am noticing a trend to drape the gems over an undecorated bra which translates to me as laziness or shortcut in design or a way to keep production costs down. Any way you take it I don’t like the unfinished decorated bra look!

Capri

I like the headpiece and backpack on this costume (the backpack looks like Xi Ling shi which was gorgeous on the road) but two things killed it for me … the frilled bikini and the touches of blue on the feathers. I am just not getting the idea of a frill bikini for Carnival at all. Yes it looks a bit different from the norm but seriously, how is this going to look on a size 12 masquerader as opposed to a size 2? 

Tahiti

The Wire bra option of this looked much nicer than I expected it is actually one of my favourites even though the gems on the belt are rather chunky and bulky looking. I am liking the teal, green and purple combination and just how the whole package looks. Not too sure about the feathers sprouting from one breast, but overall one of the nicer sections in Bliss.

Waikiki

Wow, I think this may be this designer’s best work yet, I really like it. The headpiece is lovely as is the belt, the bra may be a bit too heavily appliquéd for MY taste but holistically the entire costume works down to the Loulan Leg pieces. I am going to have to give Waikiki a thumbs up.

Right now to be honest I am actually liking TRIBE’s costumes more than Bliss, I have seen nothing to top Ibiza. The funny thing is I spoke to several people and they said they prefer Bliss to TRIBE. I agree that some of the costumes look a bit richer and have more impact and thank goodness the backpacks vary in style, but I personally give the nudge to TRIBE for better costumes. Will I be playing in Bliss for Carnival 2012? If I find a costume I can work with yes, I absolutely loved the size of the band and the experience,but does that outweigh having a costume I absolutely LOVE? I  guess you will all have to wait and see my final choice in costume… or band!

For more costume photos :

Fantasy Teaser... Part Two

Things are heating up! I cannot keep up with the teasing from these bands.