Peter Elias along with Calvin French, have launched their section in Tribe’s 2006 Carnival Band What Lies Beneath.

The section, Mermaids, caters to a long following of supporters that include former beauty queens, people in the fashion industry and dignitaries among many others.

Elias, well established in the fashion industry, is also considered a queen-maker and has been designing mas for five years. He has collaborated with world-famous fashion photographer French, who has also dabbled in various Carnival productions.

In 2005, Elias produced a Queen of the bands called Madame Can-Can and in 2004, his King presentation was Sex, Lies and Fire.

Elias and French have synergised their energies to create what they describe as Fashion meets Carnival.

Elias explained in an interview that he was most proud of combining the element of costuming with the wearability of the presentation.

“Carnival has become almost generic in that many costumes look almost the same. We are depicting Mermaids and wanted a costume that looked like a mermaid and, at the same time, was easy to wear.”

French said, “I am not a fan of the two-piece with beads. Darling, it’s glamour and elegance!”

“Masqueraders, when they are in these costumes, will be parading on the streets of Port-of-Spain and looking fabulous and they will be wearing cloth and lots of accessories, not a silly bra with beads on it.”

A careful study of the components of the presentation tells of all their

efforts to pay attention to detail.

The base of the costume is silk georgette that is hand-dyed in a swirl of vibrant colours, depicting the sea in shades of indigo blue, turquoise and emerald green. Onto this silk, iridescent piats are carefully embroidered creating the scales typical of a mermaid and, at the same time, the shimmer often seen on the sea.

Interestingly, Elias shared that the top is not a bra and explained that the masquerader gets both a bra and also a top that is worn over the bra. He jokingly questioned the hygiene aspect of playing mas for two days in the same decorated bra top.

The base panels are also unique in that it’s a one-size-fits-all costume where the masquerader uses the ties to connect these panels.

Both the top and base panels are cut unevenly to create the effect of being torn by the sea and also resembles the shape of seaweed.

Accessories for the hands and feet are actual seashells knotted together with piats on silk cords creating an authentic effect of what really lies beneath the sea.

Hoop earrings are made of the iridescent piats. The headpiece and hand fan, both hand-painted to complement the tones of the entire costume, imitate a sea fan closely and at the same time, are very light and comfortable to the wearer.

Each female masquerader also has hand-dyed silk fabric panels that can easily be attached to both the front and back base panels creating a more elegant effect that truly resembles the sea.

The male element echoes the old fable of Neptune, the Great Warrior of the Sea.

To create the gladiator effect, matte silver and matte gold metallic piats were used, intending to create armour-like components. Even though men are usually ignored in costuming, Elias said that effort was given to the components of the male costume with the intention of the masquerader wearing them comfortably and enjoying them.

A cross-shield for the chest, held by a gold chain at the back, a waistband, ankle bands, wrist and armbands, a headband and most importantly, a trident, will make a realistic depiction of the theme.

Asked about working together on the section, Elias said, “I’ve known Frenchie for over 20 years. He’s a true friend. I respect his love for the artform and passion for excellence.”

French in turn described Elias as, “A man of style. He creates beauty. More importantly, he is a man of his word.”

CREDITS

Photography…Calvin French

Styling…Peter Elias

Make-Up…Lucia Eligon (Sacha Cosmetics)

Airbrush Body Painting…James Paul (JMP Graphic Concepts)

Hair…Bally

Models…Rhiann, Leah-Marie, Christiane, Jenna-Marie, Tenika, Kenwin, Ricardo, Richard, Keron and Stevenson.