After years of anticipation, Trinidad & Tobago carnival is finally here again. The tension and anticipation sweeping across Trinidad & Tobago is palpable, as masqueraders gear up for one of the greatest cultural spectacles known to man.
Seasoned masqueraders know that there is a fundamental difference in the vibes of Monday Mas and Tuesday Mas. Monday Mas has a different sense of liberty and ease about its proceedings. The culture of Monday Wear reflects this, as it is creative yet a necessary departure from the wings and feathers that can become so burdensome on Carnival Tuesday.
Designers are undoubtedly some of the unsung heroes of carnival and we believe it’s imperative to show more appreciation to them, for the cultural gems that they are. So in no particular order, here are our Top 5 Monday Wear collections for Carnival 2023 and the designers that created them.
Sealy The Brand – Stefan Justin Sealy
When assessing Sealy The Brand’s Monday Wear designs, pristine is the word that comes to mind. Named Trinity, Scarlet, and Coral respectively, each piece from the collection is immaculately designed with precision and detail. The diamond-shaped bust pieces on Trinity are truly eye-catching and the venomous , fierce energy all the pieces exude will definitely turn heads on the road for Carnival Monday.
Rhion Romanay
Rhion Romanay is easily one of the best swimwear designers and carnival costume designers in the Caribbean, therefore expectations are always high for his Monday Wear collections. In our immodest opinion, he could be one of the greatest Caribbean designers of our time and if given the correct platform, we anticipate that he is poised for massive International success. As a designer, he pushes his mental and creative limits with every collection showing relentless drive to appease his own very high standards for himself and his work. His Monday Wear collection this year did not disappoint and his use of chromatique print in various pieces did the trick.
Rebelusian – Sian McIntosh
When it comes to Sian McIntosh and the Rebelusian brand, timeless is the word that most easily escapes the lips. After you get past the fact that she’s a genetic anomaly whose beauty and resplendence knows no bounds, you then have to come to terms with how gifted she is as a designer. Sian understands how to design in a way that accentuates the contours and curves of a woman’s body. The NYANGA piece from her Monday Wear collection is emblematic of that ability. Her design choices are simple but always effective.
Nisha Felice Griffiths
Despite the unending love and joy that’s often associated with carnival , a little ‘bacchanal’ and harmless drama is an inescapable aspect of the social experience. The acknowledgement of this reality is why we love Nisha’s Drama Dem collection. Her designs channel a futuristic vibe with hints of a 90s dancehall influence but the packaging and concept behind the collection is not only unique but also culturally relevant.
Marie Collette
The vivacious and bubbly personality that Keisha Collette possesses, is directly reflected in the colors and vibrant designs she produces. She boldly proclaimed Carnival Monday as Marie Colette Monday and based on the overwhelming support her pieces got on social media, we can see why. The uniqueness of her presentation for this year’s Monday Wear collection was absolutely brilliant. Working alongside the “All Things Carnival Goddess” – Toni Marie Joseph, Collete’s concept of using mannequins and an actual model in a shoot was arguably the most compelling presentation of Monday Wear we have seen in a very long time. She’s bold, futuristic, and adequately capable as a designer.
