From Monday wear origins to multi-territory productions, Nisha Felice built a Carnival career on one rule: if it doesn't work for real bodies, it doesn't work. On mentorship, creative mood, and why glamour is a myth she's happy to debunk.
How did you start designing Carnival costumes?
I actually started making Monday wear. The first band I actually did costumes for was based on Monday wear designs and it just evolved from there. When I was confident enough I asked my mentor Caroline McIntosh from RC Mas to design her backpack for her for Trinidad Carnival — and it's history from there.
Describe your design style in three words.
I will not say I have an exact style of design — I have a mood of design based on theme and demographic of the band. I do my research on the carnival I'm designing for. I always ask what their best selling costume was the year before and I design based on that.
“I have a mood of design — not a style. I do my research on every carnival I'm designing for, and I design based on that.”
Nisha Felice · Know Your Designers Issue 001
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get inspiration from fashion — I am a retired runway model and carnival band launch girlie. I also get inspo from places I've visited due to architecture.
What do people misunderstand about designing for Carnival?
People think that this is a glamorous job and lifestyle. Designing 30 plus costumes per year is not for the weak.
How do you balance creativity, comfort, movement, and production realities?
In all honesty sometimes I feel like there is a basic blueprint to what truly sells a costume so being overly creative is not always the go-to route. Comfort and functionality of a design is more important. Yes it's going to be pretty once the bling and detailing is done correctly — however we are making costumes for real human bodies, not the mannequins. So I usually think a lot about functionality and fit, especially being the person who has to produce it and make sure it's road ready. Side bar: ask me about production in a whole other interview because we don't have time for those realities!
“We are making costumes for real human bodies — not the mannequins.”
Nisha Felice · Know Your Designers Issue 001
What should masqueraders feel when they wear your design?
Confident. Powerful. Beautiful.
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Learn about MasOS →Photography provided by Nisha Felice.
Costume photography: AJP Studios TT · Featured designs: Fire Coral, Eden (Enchanted Forest).
Interview conducted by Know Your Carnival editorial team.
© Know Your Carnival, a MasOS production.
