Young designers shape the fashion of Trinidad Carnival 2013
The ela Design Company debuts edgy, runway-inspired costume designs and Carnival "Monday Wear" for TRIBE Carnival band's 2013 presentation.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Monday July 23, 2012 - The ela Design Company presented its first ever Carnival costume at the TRIBE 2013 "Butterflies, Beasts and Bacchanal" band launch presentation, held at the Queens Park Savannah in Port of Spain over the weekend.
"Kallimini", named after the butterfly known for its natural leaf-colored exterior but vibrant iridescent colors when its wings are open, is one of 14 sections in the band. Exotic Indian square patterns form part of the costume design with intricate bra and waist band pieces complemented by necklace and belly chain features.
Kallimini's costume base is turquoise and gold, and the turquoise feathers are streaked with a fiery orange and hints of black.
The private section is to be marketed by the "Cocktails" group and will be sponsored by Moët & Chandon.
For the 2013 Carnival season, ela also plans to unveil an avant-garde, exclusive range of Carnival "Monday Wear" - a sleek and sexy costume alternative consisting of intricately cut stretch fabric designs, diamante-clad loops and accessories within a range of solid and interwoven color schemes.
Last year, ela championed the offerings of bespoke Monday Wear designs and services for Carnival 2012, making available tailor-made solutions to a select number of customers.
"The fashion component of Carnival is now developing at a rapid pace, and Carnival enthusiasts are also becoming more aware of the relaxed, stylish vibe of Carnival Monday as compared with the high energy of Carnival Tuesday, " said Maria Elena Jute, director of The ela Design Company.
"We have found that in addition to the growing demand for accessories and new ways to customize existing costumes, masqueraders are now interested in entirely new, distinct outfits for the separate days of Carnival," she disclosed, adding that the company aims to provide a new generation of cutting edge design solutions to meet all design needs.
The ela Design Company directors Maria Elena Jute (left) and Nina Alcantara (second from right), Rajiv Shandilya, Chairman of the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago, and Project Runway Season 9 winner Anya Ayoung-Chee at the TRIBE 2013 band launch.
Photograph available at: www.tinyurl.com/eladesign2
Last year, custom-designed and -fitted Monday Wear by The ela Design Company retailed at US $150-250 per costume. The company will continue its services in bespoke design solutions in 2013, but plans also to introduce a new range of high quality, low cost options for adventurous masqueraders looking to expand their Carnival fashion experience.
Carnival masqueraders with an interest in the Kallimini section for TRIBE 2013 can visit www.carnivaltribe.com.
Further details about 2013 Monday Wear by The ela Design Company will be released via Facebook in the weeks and months ahead.
For further information, contact info.elafashion@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE ELA DESIGN COMPANY
The ela Design Company is a new fashion design and production company based in Trinidad and Tobago, led by a team of two experienced fashion industry professionals: Nina Alcantara, a reputable Trinidadian make-up artist and experienced Carnival costume designer; and Maria Elena Jute, a New York-based stylist and fashion consultant with experience working in New York City fashion showrooms and assisting in styling sessions for a number of celebrity and media clients.
The combination of skills with experience of these two individuals underscore the fabric of ela as the vibrant, colorful nature of Trinidad and Tobago meeting the relentlessly daring, creative spirit of New York City.
The new company aims to bring a fresh, creative and edgy new look to the Trinidad Carnival fashion landscape through the integration of international fashion trends, high-quality materials and strong attention to detail.
For Carnival 2013, ela showcases its first ever Trinidad Carnival costume design with the TRIBE Carnival band. For the second consecutive year, the company continues its efforts to create exclusive Monday Wear collections for the inspired masquerader intent on broadening the Carnival experience with distinctive Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday outfits.
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