Read my disclaimer: This blog is not intended to influence anyone to play with any one Carnival band over the other. This is a place to come and get a little carnival info (how ah buy it is how ah selling it), look at some costume pics, "listen" to me talk about mas and occasionally vent or speak my mind.
With that said, unto the critique!
Rubies of Mumbai
This was one of the costumes shown at the media launch and it was my favorite then and still remains one of my favorites. On impact alone Rubies frontline is stunning, though it needs to be tailored because the fabric draping from the headpiece to the floor is fine for the runway, impractical for the road. I was very pleased to see the regular costume mimicked the frontline, with both cups decorated and a smaller version of the frontline headpiece. The belt on this costume is super skimpy; don’t let the fabric panels fool you. If you needed additional coverage a corset in this section will actually enhance the beauty. The male costume for Rubies is hands down my favorite of any section. I love that the male costume does not offer a board short and the decorated neckpiece is actually the best part of the costume for me.
China
The color Jade of this costume is very pretty; translation is lost in the photos. The three headpiece options are a nice alternative, with the frontline thankfully offering a headpiece that is manageable for those who do not like large headpieces, though I have to say the frontline headpiece reminds me of the Blue Tanager large headpiece option of 2009. Solid, well decorated regular costumes, nothing “backline” in this one. Like many of the costumes this one features actual jewelry as embellishment, there are no beads on the belt, just jewelry dripping from the waist band; gorgeous to look at will snag tights! The male costume looks incomplete, even though I will acknowledge that the designer did try to conjure some sort of Asian element with the headpiece.
Adulis
I am not a huge fan of bronze costumes as they really need to be enhanced by the right complexion, on me it looks awful however the models chosen to model this one looked good in it. I love the Mohawk headpiece, refreshing change from the repetitiveness of some of the other headpieces. This is also one of the few costumes that did not feature any jewelry; instead it is decorated with what looks like copper work and beads. I like this costume for the lack of bling if you can believe that. The male costume is nice though I have seen all those elements on male costumes before, however it is sure to appeal to lots of guys wanting something looking a bit tribal.
Caspian Sea
I was absolutely delighted to see that the regular costume for this stunner of a frontline was well done, not lacking in any detail on the bra and belt, and it mimics the frontline beautifully. Even the regular headpiece is just a smaller version of the frontline. Again, I do love the frontline on this one, the model made carrying the backpack look effortless! Nothing more to be said that I have not said before from my review of the media launch.
Thailand
My FAVORITE costume of them all! I think it is genius how the designers used identifying Thai details in the costume; for instance on the headpieces and shoulder lapels. The frontline looks like Caged Canary frontline headpiece on steroids and signaled the fact that the headpiece is the new backpack for 2010 as each headpiece that came afterwards was bigger and more elaborate! I LOVE this frontline, love, love, love it! What impresses me in the frontline is the color, gold and yellow is stunning, as well as the totally jeweled bra and belt, and to top it all off the shoulder pieces which to me gives the costume a bit of authenticity even though it is just “bikini and beads” .The regular costume is also fabulous, the bra is so heavily beaded and I love the style and placement of appliqués. The belt is gorgeous, and the accessories are just enough; this is one costume that is just perfection to me. I even like the male costume.
Wings of Isis
I was told the body costume was designed by Anya Elias, band leader, with the headpieces done by Richard and Anthony. This is a pretty teal color and I absolutely love the regular costume of this section, with the full headpiece and interesting decoration on the bra and unique belt this can easily be a frontline costume in another band. The frontline with the cape looks like a Harts costume to be honest, which was my impression when it first came out. For wings of Isis frontline the actual Isis wings with feathers could have been used instead of the cape for me, the cape is just too much like Harts for me to consider anything beyond that. However I do like the jeweled monokini which will be unforgiving for those without the right body type as the back is basically bare. Of course I love the headpiece, it looks easy to maneuver and the little Isis detail did not go unnoticed. The male costume is generic Egyptian, nothing bad about it, nothing wow either.
Gates of Petra
Let me first say right of the bat I am not a fan of pink and I have rarely seen a pink costume that has moved me, unfortunately this is not one of them. It looks like a pink version of Spangled Cotinga, the bra of the regular costume is decorated the same, thankfully the belt has much more beads! Even the frontline headpiece looks like Cotinga and the monokini is decorated the same with the stones, just a different design. This one did not wow me in the least!
Merchants of Venice
Designed by Leasel Rovedas I like the design and effect on the bra that looks as if it is a wire bra over feathers. Upon closer inspection this one does hearken back to Silver Mist with the feathered belt/crotch piece and the headpiece is undeniably a clone of Green Honey Creeper. The frontline backpack looks light and easy to carry, cute.
Greece
This is one of my other favorite costumes if only because it is in the color purple, which I adore. I like the diamante encrusted belt and bra of the regular costume, and the nice big headpiece, once more a regular costume that does not look as it is half done. The male costume with molded breast piece is to theme, again, something I have seen done in male costumes before; Harts is famous for this type of work. The frontline, gorgeous with another monokini that needs the right body, fabulous on the model not so sure how it will look on the “real women” please ladies choose this section option with care! The model also had some issues with the headpiece, another monster that has to be about 3 or 4 feet in height; it has the wow factor for sure. The Individual costume looks like it stepped off a Rainha de Bateria from Rio; I love the belt, love the headpiece, wished the sleeves were sheer or jeweled like the Samba girls of Rio. It would also help if the model looked like she enjoyed the costume; she was sour throughout her entire presentation. The male individual was a refreshing sight; several men complain of not having elaborate costumes, well here is one in Spice that will appeal to the male divos!
Moroccan Heat
Did not bring the heat in the female costume for me personally but I do like the male. Don’t get me wrong it is a “nice” costume; just something about this one did not wow me. I do like the detail on the headpiece, the bra for the regular costume is interesting, not too sure I like the halter choker and as for the frontline I have to say ANOTHER monokini? A bit of the same with the frontlines, I needed more variation after seeing so many sections with a frontline monokini option. Another thing I am not too sure I like with this particular costume is the backpack with that headpiece, a lot of focus of the costume is to the top, so it looks somewhat top heavy when looking at it from afar.
Rome
Ok, so the burgundy sort of works for this one though it is one of my least favorite colors in costumes, it is too dark for the road. However though I like the fabric arm pieces (which have to be shortened to be practical) and the bra can pass, I absolutely do not like that belt on the frontline or regular costume. The belt is a little too gaudy with the appliqué for my tastes, and I am just not loving this one at all. The frontline headpiece with the fullness of feathers reminds me of Forbidden Berries, Island People 2006, I do like the effect of a Roman headpiece as well, the headpiece is the saving grace of this costume though it ranks pretty low on my list overall. Is the male costume cape a curtain? I thought the male headpiece could have been bigger and more authentic to the Roman theme; however it is a good male, hard to mess up a male Roman costume.
Ratnapurta
The name means “City of Gems” but this one had no sparkle. The black base for the costume threw me off totally; I was not expecting that for this costume. This costume needs more gems! So many of the other sections were dripping with jewels, except this one! Multi colored stones on a different base would be more what I envisioned given the name and something about the headpiece reminds me of Mystic Bloom… I think it is the black and the colors used. I like the chest jewelry for the male, not feeling that waist band at all; it reminds me of upholstered fabric. As for the frontline, another monokini (surprise surprise) the black sheer looks like lingerie, and again we have the Harts cape. Can you tell I do not like this costume at all?
Ceylon Pearls
There is no regular costume for this one so I am guessing this is some special all frontline section or maybe you can get it minus the back pack and a trimmed down headpiece? Who knows, anyway the model looked MOST uncomfortable in the costume! I like the effect of the headpiece and backpack but it looked like way too much for the model to handle and as such makes me wonder how comfortable this one will be on the road. I have to add, this costume looks like Sea Salt’s big sister! The body costume is interesting, I do like the pearl beading but that strap illusion monokini is notoriously difficult to fit unless it is measured on the person. As for the male costume, sorry there buddy but you were overshadowed by the frontline!
North Star
And yet again ANOTHER monokini, and another model having issues with the costume. I do like the netted sleeves, interesting detail but the backpack I am not too sure about. It looked unstable on the model, but it is different which was a bit refreshing.
To conclude I have to say that some of the costumes were a bit repetitive, the headpieces looked like either what I have seen in past costumes done by Richard and Anthony or a different colored version of what had just come before. I was also a bit jaded by the populace of monokinis as frontline options, which is probably why I like Thailand so much! The monokini is okay, however not something that looks good on all body types and having a bra and belt option would have been a nice alternative.
Good job by the design duo of Richard and Anthony, Anya and Leasel Rovedas, a solid showing that gave respect to the regular costumes which are not lacking in detail for the most part; several of those costumes can stand on their own as frontlines in other bands, as I have said before.
I can say one thing, they have set a bar for costumes being first band to launch, have tantalized my tastes buds and now I cannot wait… BRING ON TRIBE!
