Friday 15th September: Notting Hill Carnival 2017, Soundsystems & Vibes

In addition to the carnival parade of costumes and mas there are the static sound systems mapped along the route.  Here is an overview illustrating the old-school original names such as King Tubby's & Glady Wax to the newer brands on the agenda such as BoilerRoom and Red Bull sponsoring stages.  It's absolutely mind-blowing that people travel from all over the world and across this country to gather in streets of W10 London for the unified love of the same thing.  Now why can't we all agree on politics and religion and live peacefully like this year's event proved is possible?!  80 languages are spoken in our city and we all communicate as one in the motion of music and dance............ just another reason I think Carnival is a model for humanity as a whole!

Monday 11th September: Notting Hill Carnival 2017 - Children's Day

We just need to take a moment to stop and appreciate how good this costume is and why it was the highlight of my Sunday at Carnival this year.  

Children's day is always my favourite for costumes, when I get to see tiny little faces immersed in feathers and covered in crystals.  This has to be one of the best yet.  Its a pearl baby in a clam shell pram.  Too much.  Look at her regal demeanour, sipping on her 'bena, being pushed along the route of cheering, adorning crowds totally endeared by her.  She looked the bomb, and she knew it.  Exactly what Carnival is all about........ celebrating feeling amazing.

Thursday 7th September: Notting Hill Carnival 2017 - J'ouvert

J'ouvert is when the early birds catch the worm in Carnival terms and call in the dawn with the cry of a Conch shell. I thought it was the beginning of the day, starting at 6am but now realise that it is a continuation from the overnight celebrations after the steel pan contest "Panorama". Infact the Ebony Steel Pan band lead the procession of paint assassins like the Pied Piper along the route of Portabello Road. This year I was well equipped for the crossfire of gunge and glitter with an industrial strength boilersuit that looked like I was going into a chemical testing zone. Witnessing an army of psychedelically clad pranksters in clouds of white talc is a surreal sight at sunrise. But that's why its one of my favourite parts of the weekend and why I happily lose sleep to absorb as much of the fun as possible. It only comes once a year!




Read more on the tradition in my archive posts here .

Wednesday 6th September: Notting Hill Carnival 2107 - how to dress

This year's festival featured unprecedented glorious hot sun from start to finish.  It actually felt like being in the tropical climate of Trinidad Carnival where I began celebrations earlier this year.  Before we knew that the English weather would bless us with this heatwave weekend in the midst of rain and wind, I wrote a guide of how to dress for the Evening Standard:

"Dressing for Notting Hill Carnival as a spectator is a dichotomy between wearing your best garms to enter the spirit of joyful abandon but nothing you'd want to obliterate because that is a guarantee. Throughout the day your body will be a canvas for rain, paint, talcum powder, chocolate, rum, beer, hot sauce and potentially worse should you fall down a kerb. FACT.
I get a cheap mesh body suit in the Summer sales and customise it with rhinestones, tassels and feathers. Use the same crystals to glue motifs onto your plastic cup / hipflask for drinking on the road. Tie your hair up with a bandana for preservation and this should be your flag of heritage if you have it. Accessorize with door-knocker hoops, a whistle and horn from street traders or soundsystems handing them out. Fill a fanny pack with wet-wipes, hand sanitiser, blister plasters, lipstick and glitter. Sew pom-pom fringe onto the tops of fish-net pop-socks and pull out your brightest creps that you don't mind defacing. I have a special pair just for Jouvet, they look like Margiela paint splatter trainers circa early 00's. Lastly but most importantly top-off with a waterproof. Luckily there's a flood of iridescent macs on the market to match your sequin sheen. "

Here are snaps from my look this year which had green ribbon decorations in my hair for the Grenfell Tower campaign request to wear green for the weekend as mark of respect.  

Special thanks to Most Wanted Wines for the " Last Of The Summer Wine* " care package of a rainbow backpack, battery charger, glitter makeup and wine sachets for a bacchanal!

(*form of dance, involves gyration of hips, can be slow or fast must always be sexy. performed to mainly west indian music like reggae, calypso and soca.)

Wednesday 17th May: My Paper Flower, Summer Headdress Workshop on Thursday

Paper Flower, Summer Headdress Workshop

Thursday 18th May 19:30 – 21:30 at No. 56 St James Street, Walthomstow, E177PE

Tickets  £12 from Eventbrite.

Tuesday 16th May: My Paper Flower, Summer Headdress Workshop on Thursday

Join me for a creative fun workshop in how to make a paper flower headdress perfect for Summer festivals, weddings and parties.  All levels of skill welcome with materials and equipment included in the ticket price. Refreshments will be available from the venue's menu including a special cocktail and sharing platters.

Thursday 18th May 19:30 – 21:30 at No. 56 St James Street, Walthomstow, E177PE

 Tickets  £12 from Eventbrite.

Wednesday 3rd May: My Paper Flower, Summer Headdress Workshop

Please join me for a fun creative workshop in how to make a paper flower headdress perfect for Summer festivals, weddings, parties and carnival!  I will lead the session with materials and equipment included in the ticket price of £15 (£12 Earlybird). All levels of skill welcome. Refreshments will be available from No.56 menu including a special cocktail and sharing platters.
Book tickets here!