The spectacle of carnival wows each year with dazzling and elaborate costumes as masqueraders take to the road.
Danielle Watler designs costumes for the Renegade Mas carnival band which she co-owns alongside husband John Watler.
Also known under her designer name of Danielle Alexis, she has been busy preparing magical creations for CayMAS, which this year takes place from 27 June to 3 July.
The costumes are fashioned from a fantastical array of fabric, gems, feathers, wire, and lots of glue, and are planned four to six months in advance of carnival.
“The planning process takes up the most time due to resources being limited on the island,” says Danielle, a self-taught designer, who began making carnival costumes in 2017.
Once all materials have been gathered and bases have been sewn, it will take Danielle approximately a week to complete and jewel a section.
“Considering what I want my costume to look like is only half the process – I also have to consider my target audience, who is wearing the costume, what do I want them to feel once they are in the costume, and what costume style, colour and fit will flatter them the most,” she says.
“I am also learning each year as I go and perfecting my craft, developing the theme, colours and considering improvements from the year before.”
Danielle spends a lot of time researching different styles, cultures, body types and markets, and finding the best way to infuse these elements into her designs.
“I love bold trims, mixed patterns and statement neck pieces,” she says.
TEAM WORK
With so much work involved in creating the costumes, Danielle has partnered with others who are skilled in the construction process of the feathered backpacks and sewing the bases of the outfits.
“I recognised early on that although I had the vision, I just did not have the time or the expertise in this area. and quality is very important to myself and the Renegade Mas brand,” says Danielle.
“Once I have the bases made, that’s when the fun truly starts for me: embellishing each costume by hand in my dining room – my favourite part of the process. (It) feels like I am completing a jigsaw puzzle; all the pieces are accessible, but the challenge is identifying the right pattern.”
Danielle has also trained Renegade Mas team members, her mother-in-law, her eldest child and even the children’s nanny to help with the costume production.
For this year’s CayMAS, she has designed three sections and a total of eight variations
of costumes.
FAVOURITE DAY
As well as making the costumes, Danielle also loves to participate in carnival, describing it as her favourite day of the year.
And it’s the women wearing her designs who make the event so special for her.
“They encourage me to want to do more and to be more as a designer and as a woman,”
she says. “(I love) to see how each woman wears each costume differently and no matter what that difference looks like, seeing them step into their power so confidently.”
UNITY
As for the meaning and importance of carnival in culture, Danielle sums it up as ‘unity’.
“There is no division of social status or skin tone,” she says. “(This means) coming together – going down one road and letting go of all worries with each walking mile; allowing ourselves to feel alive, accepted and free; showing up just as we are.”
After disruption of events during the COVID pandemic, CayMAS 2023 is lined up to be one of the best yet and Renegade Mas is ready for the road.
“(This is) an opportunity for us now to really see our hard work and efforts unfold,” says Danielle. “And let me tell you – in the words of Machel Montano – we will be shaking di whole place.”
*More of Danielle’s costumes can be seen onInstagram @renegademas345 and @dan__alexis.
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