PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Thirty-nine emerging artisans, designers and production specialists have completed the second edition of THE LOST TRIBE’s Carnival Campus.
The 12-day accelerator ran from September 28 to October 9 at the TRIBE Mas Camp, combining practical training in costume design and construction with workshops and discussions on the business of Carnival.
Participants took part in eight core classes covering wire-bending, featherwork, backpack design, designing for different body types and material selection.
The programme also included specialised workshops on designing for men, traditional mas and beauty in mas.
Instruction was led by industry designers and veteran artisans, including Valmiki Maharaj, Solange Govia, Renee Pouchet, Shawn Dhanraj and Atiba Borde.
Four panel discussions explored issues affecting the wider Carnival industry, including intellectual property rights, the demands of designing Monday wear, women’s leadership in mas and the development of home-grown creative brands.
The sessions featured representatives from across the industry, including Clover Consultancy, designer Laura Narayansingh, Nicolette Leacock, Keisha Als, Marieange Bovell, Rhiannon Pemberton, YUMA Carnival director Tanya Gomes, Antron Forte, Keiba Jacob-Mottley and Danielle Boucaud-Henrique.
Valmiki Maharaj, band leader of THE LOST TRIBE and creative director of TRIBE Group, said the programme was intended to help creatives turn their interests into sustainable careers.
“Mas cannot survive on nostalgia alone; it requires an active, professional talent pipeline,” Maharaj said. “Seeing these Campus students evolve gives me immense confidence in the future of our industry.”
Following the programme, participants are being evaluated for potential placements within the TRIBE Group for the upcoming Carnival season.
Carnival, Keiba Jacob-Mottley, Chief Executive Oficer, National Carnival Commission of
Trinidad and Tobago (NCC) and Antron Forte, Head of Commercial Sales, Carib Brewery; ;
participate in the ‘Home Grown Brands’ panel discussion during the second cohort of
Carnival Campus at the TRIBE Mas Camp, Woodbrook.
Depending on their skills and availability, successful candidates could take on roles in costume construction, design assistance, camp management and production logistics.
Cohort participant Karina Ramnath described the experience as an opportunity to learn from established industry figures while connecting with other creatives.
“The classes, panels, and workshops taught by industry leaders offered invaluable insight into the Carnival ecosystem,” she said. “The knowledge gained will be used to contribute to the art form in my country.”
Organisers also provided sponsorship opportunities for participants, including funding for three creatives to attend Solange Govia’s masterclasses.
Monifah Richardson was sponsored by Govia, Raquel Heerah by Industry 360, and Antonio Perelion by Geoff Cooper, also known as Sagaboi.
With two cohorts completed in Port of Spain, THE LOST TRIBE is assessing opportunities to expand the Carnival Campus model internationally, including hybrid initiatives that would connect creatives in the diaspora with Carnival education.
The second cohort was supported by Aventa, Anhasi Contracting Services Ltd, Coca-Cola, Dasani, Nestlé, Sunshine Snacks, Revlon and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
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