大象传媒

Explore the 大象传媒
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

24 September 2014
BerkshireBerkshire

大象传媒 Homepage
England










Sites near Berkshire





Related 大象传媒 Sites



Contact Us

features

Louise Chandler

Louise Chandler: Caribbean Queen

大象传媒 Radio Berkshire's Caribbean show presenter is preparing a costume for the Reading Community Carnival. Read her blog and take a peek at what she'll be wearing!

As a young girl growing up in Reading I used to watch the carnival procession passing the end of my street so I have memories of colourful floats, dancing and lots of music.

"Seeing I'm from Barbados heritage I wanted to make a costume that represents my culture so my costume will in the same colours as the Bajan flag."

This year it's going to be my turn to get involved in Reading Community Carnival and I'm very excited to be involved in such an exciting event that marks 30 years since carnival begun!

Last year was a lot of fun when I was part of the procession but I didn't wear a costume so this year I've gone to more effort.

It never occurred to me to get involved until Chairperson of the Carnival Pat Alleyne came on to my show in March where she invited me to the Carnival Workshop Classes to make a costume.

I've always been into fashion and I thought it would be a great way to put my creative side to good use so I'm glad to do accept the challenge.

At the time I thought it would be easy to put together a costume because it looks easy.

Louise Chandler
Crowning glory

But I'll tell you - its been a lot harder than I imagined. Carnival costumes look beautifully colourful and effortless but this whole process has made me appreciate how it all comes together.

Now I'm starting my costume I've had to think of loads of things including colours, shapes and what type of fabrics I would like to use, what movement I'd like on the day and even what foot wear I'll be wearing. There will be a lot of walking so I reckon it will be trainers to make sure I can make it round the whole route!听

Seeing as I'm from Barbados heritage I wanted to make a costume that represents my culture so my costume will be in the same colours as the Bajan flag - blue, yellow and black.

Louise Chandler
A feathery Louise Chandler

I've read that some costumes can take eight months to make and that makes me feel a bit nervous, knowing that I've only got less than four weeks to create a costume - so let's see how I get on......

Next week I'll be having the fitting for my costume - I'll be designing it then creating the paper pattern so that I can buy the right fabric and create it.

This bit makes me nervous in case I do it wrong or it doesn't look right - so I've got a lot of work to do!

I think this is where I'll have to 'revise' my sewing skills and enlist the help of key costume maker and helper Philbert.

Now on to the costume. The main part of my costume will be my head dress and whenever you see carnival costumes - it's always the most striking part that catches your eye so this is the first part of the costume that I've started making.

The main part of the head dress is a crown like structure so it will be held in to place while dancing (it looks like something from a Roman film).

This one is made from metal to make sure it is sturdy and will survive if it rains (fingers crossed it will be sunny skies like true Caribbean carnivals).

Crown
The crown of the head dress

The circumference of my head was measured and a strip of cardboard was made to get the base. Two strips of card board was made to form the cross structure in the middle which will support the over all head dress.

It's a bit uncomfortable to wear but I think on the day I'll be having so much fun I'll forget that I'm wearing it!

I've decided to use feathers听that will go on top of the crown to complete the head dress - making it look quite flamboyant and hopefully very carnival.

I'll tell you more about my costume including the name and the theme of it next week........

I'd love to say I had made this mask BUT I'll let you in to a little secret....I brought it from New Orleans.

When I saw it, it conjured up all types of carnival feelings and thought and I knew it would fit in with my costume.

Mask
Louise's mask

It's a traditional carnival mask so I'm sure it will fit in well with the rest of costume.

I want to make sure I get it right so I've drawn lots of different designs and I'm still trying to make my mind up...but there's not long left so I'll have to do it quickly!

If you want to get a sneaky peek of my costume or make one yourself, come on down to the Mapp Community centre (off Mount Pleasant - off Silver Street) in Reading every Thursday, 7-9pm.

Catch Louise every Sunday 9pm - 10pm to hear the latest carnival updates on 大象传媒 Radio Berkshire.

last updated: 14/05/07
Have Your Say
Your name:
Your comment:
The 大象传媒 reserves the right to edit comments submitted.

Jeannie
Sorta personal. My name is Jeannie re caribbean costumeIm partially deaf, have bipolar disorder , walking difficulties. BUt ive been invited to a Caribbean charity Ball.I want to wear an authentic dress or blouse but can only find one for 62.00 - too much for a charity do.Is ther anywhere that sells afro or caribbean fabrics...? london or by postno need to reply if not poss to help. thank youjeannie_luck@yahoo.com

bec!
Love it Louise!

SEE ALSO
home
HOME
email
EMAIL
print
PRINT
Go to the top of the page
TOP
SITE CONTENTS
SEE ALSO

大象传媒 Radio Berkshire

Podcast

[an error occurred while processing this directive]




About the 大象传媒 | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy