Inside the Mash Camp… “Revealing costumes” set for Mash day

Feb 22, 2014 News

Some of our local costume designers have expressed that some of the costumes for the Mashramani celebrations tomorrow will be most “revealing.”
This was due to their informal survey, which according to them, showed that most Guyanese women are willing to be daring and display the “very skimpy” pieces.

One of Maxi Williams’ designs for the Tropical Rhythms Band

When this publication caught up with costume designer Maxi Williams, who is most passionate about the festivities, he expressed in no uncertain, terms that “Guyanese are definitely looking to defy the odds tomorrow.”
Williams, who has been designing for 18 years said, “Based on the survey we did, the women especially are looking for something that makes them feel sexy and they are open to trying new styles.
“And that was key among all the things we took into consideration before we started designing. So we are essentially catering to that and I worked with five persons who were devoted to making this possible.”
He added, “The preparation that goes into creating over 300 costumes in just two weeks can be an ordeal at times but it is a job that requires, discipline and a love for costume designing.”
He explained that while last year he would have been bold with some of his raunchy creations, this year his costumes have been created for the women who are “adventurous and are not afraid to show that.”
His pieces were done for the Tropical Rhythms Franchise of Ansa McAl. “The revelers will be wearing two-piece costumes. The women can choose to have a lower piece attire to accompany the waist band whilst the upper body piece, the bra, will be embroidered with beautiful multicoloured stones and lace.
The bra pieces vary in style and they go from providing comfortable full coverage while others provide very little.
But while Williams and other designers are all for the skimpy outfits tomorrow, celebrated Fashion designer Olympia Sonaram, is not in support of the “extremely provocative costumes.”
Sonaram is the costume designer for Digicel and Pulse Entertainment’s Mash Band. Her theme for the Digicel Band is “Arabian/Egyptian Night.”

The Arabian/Egyptian Night costumes for the Digicel Mash Band

Though her costumes are also very sexy and playful, they provide a coverage which Sonnaram says “caters for the women who prefer to be a bit careful with just how much skin they show.”
As it relates to the outrageous pieces, Sonnaram believes that it is important for designers to remember that they should not get too carried away by their desire to push the envelope. “It’s great that we have moved away from glitters and spray painted jerseys and people actually want to wear costumes. But I don’t think we should lose focus. The whole revealing thing and being outrageous with costumes is not Guyana, that’s other countries, and I would hope that we don’t get lost in that direction. I do hope that we remember the culture of our society and not try to go overboard.
“I mean there is a response for the extremely provocative but I believe we have a part to play in shaping what the consumers want, but that is just my opinion. However, I do know that tomorrow will be a most memorable day.”