Trinidad & Tobago is a nation blessed with an extraordinary abundance of creative zeal and beauty. Home to arguably the strongest cohort of designers in the region, emerging as a designer in this vibrant landscape requires not just talent, but determination and a willingness to push boundaries. With so many top designers vying for recognition, it can be challenging to stand out. However, after five years as part of the Pure Carnival setup and eight years in the industry, Sheena Ali cemented her position as one of the region’s top designers for 2024 in her debut year with Bliss Carnival and is ready to take over 2025.
The approach designers take to Monday Wear versus costumes is fundamentally different. Sheena articulated, “Monday Wear is a whole different ballgame, believe it or not. I was a masquerader first before becoming a designer, and naturally, I took into consideration that it’s the one day of the two where you feel a lot more freedom on the road, in my view. Freedom and comfort are key!”
The hallmark of every top-tier designer is their ability to infuse their personality into their work. Like many Caribbean women, Sheena’s personality is a prism of various emotions, textures, and layers—making her a truly intriguing figure. Motherhood has been a pivotal driving force in her recent ascent as a designer. She proudly extols her son as her muse, stating, “I think the greatest impact motherhood has brought with it is the levels of joy and love imparted from having my son. When he’s happy and around, so am I, and my best work or creative surges come from that happy place.” Her love for eye-catching fabrics reflects her vibrancy and charisma.
The way she plays with textures in her designs embodies her emotional depth and empathy. For Sheena, designing is a way of expressing herself to the world. Her awe-inspiring beauty forms a perfect connection with her audience, as she looks just as stunning in her creations as the masqueraders who wear them. Her brand is symbolized by the abstract design of a peacock feather. She shared its significance, saying, “My logo is actually an abstract design of a peacock feather. I chose it because it’s my favorite feather—the color, vibrancy, and beauty make it so intriguing. Not to mention, the peacock is probably my favorite bird. It’s so graceful, yet so bold and confident, embodying all the things I want my brand to represent.”
