By Jamal Sharpe
Founder of PYS Carnival, Patricia Sawyerr, sits down with W11 to talk design inspirations, Carnival connoisseurs and new blood.
Although from North London, twenty-three
year-old Patricia Sawyerr’s favourite time of the year is spent parading the streets of
Notting Hill during Carnival. With a passion for print and textiles, instilled
in her from the age of three, Sawyerr now has her own section for the acclaimed
masquerade band, Genesis Mas. Armed with skills developed whilst
studying Fashion Textiles at the London College of Fashion, Sawyerr is ready to
share her love of cultural masquerade —or mas, as it is
colloquially known—
with the droves of people expected to attend this year’s
Notting Hill Carnival.
What is the inspiration behind your costume
for Notting Hill Carnival 2014?
The costume I’ve got this year is for my own brand, PYS Carnival, and it is
inspired by Holi —or Phagwa as they call it in Trinidad. Phagwa is a Hindu celebration
based on the expression of colour. In all the times I have travelled to
Trinidad, it is one of the festivals that I have happened to miss. The colours,
energy and excitement which you see on everybody’s face is what I wanted to depict in costume form. I chose a bikini ‘fun
and fantasy’ style of costume because I find it sexy. I do like garments and the
traditional forms of mas, but I love to show a bit of skin too!
In my costume there is a migration of colours.
You’ll also see my special techniques and colour
effects, which is always a part of my textile design. Genesis Mas’
overall theme is “The Journey” and
they’ve looked at different places in the world, which have contributed
to the carnival history. Considering that, I based mine on India. If not the
first, the second largest population in Trinidad is the Indian diaspora, so I
decided to take inspiration from their cultural heritage.
Who is your favourite Carnival costume
designer?
I absolutely adore Wayne Berkley! He is amazing.
When I went to Trinidad in 2011, I wanted to meet him. I went back in August
too, but unfortunately he had
died. Trying to find his book was the hardest thing I
had to do. I called everyone in Trinidad and they did not have it. I went to
all the libraries, I even called up the place where he was based and they
didn't have the book either! It was so hard to find. But anyway, I have always
believed that Wayne Berkley’s designs were so fresh and
ahead of its time. The other designers were not designing in the same way. He
really brought a fresh eye to Carnival.
Are there any other designers who inspire
your work?
I love Gerald Hart, of Harts Carnival
band, who are based in Trinidad. They always present their costumes first and
hit the grand stage of the Queen’s Park Savannah in Trinidad first.
They are the leaders. A lot of people would not like or want to admit it — but
they all like to imitate them. I won’t lie, there’s a
couple of things I wouldn't mind stealing myself!
At the moment in Trinidad, there is a lot of new
blood and new designing talent. I think it is great that people in the UK are
starting to appreciate Carnival. When I was with Burrokeets UK, our
views as young people were not taken seriously. We would be out on social media
looking at how costume had evolved in the Caribbean. Now that I have my own
section, I can give my own take, fuse it in with what I have learnt and make
costumes that look a bit different and more exciting.
Finally, how would you describe the vibe of
your costume with Genesis?
The vibe? Its colourful. My vibe is very colourful!
The vibe? Its colourful. My vibe is very colourful!
