Fashion designer Olympia Small-Sonaram, who designed the “Royalty” costumes for Digicel, said she was excited, proud and thrilled at being responsible for one of the winning 2011 Mashramani bands.
With the help of Ryan Da Silva, Small-Sonaram designed the band’s ‘Chariot’ float, which gained first place in the Full Costume – Large Band category. She told Stabroek News that every job has its advantages and disadvantages, and in this case her problems started when the rains came, in the days leading up to Mashramani.
She explained that since the float was too large to be placed indoors, it was threatened by the rain. “But other than that, everything went smoothly,” she added.
Meanwhile, Trevor Alfred, designer of the floats for both the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and Region 4 bands, which gained second and third positions for Full Costume-Large Band, respectively, said he felt proud that his designs made it in the winners’ row.
However, he said that it was not easy since the ministry took too long to make a decision concerning its float, resulting in last minute preparations.
Alfred explained that his success was due to his working day and night with an increased number of assistants.
