Way of the Warrior! ...Mimi's TRIBE Review

This review has been longgggggggg overdue! After I went to the band launch, like I had such a great time, I just couldn't pick myself up whole week! lol But I'm up and going and time for the review!

So my compadre Lele and I set off the battlefield around 12 and arrived just in time to get a drink and find a spot remotely close to the stage. Unfortunately it wasn't close enough so all my pics came out like shit.

Before I begin I must state my opinion on a few matters; I honestly thought the costumes would have a lot more studs and stuff, just be a little bit more rough. But overall, I guess they need to cater to all types of masqueraders, and I think TRIBE has efficiently done so...The models on the other hand definitely needed to do some more practicing, between completely ignoring the right side (their left) of the stage and running on and off stage like a bat out of hell, I was not impressed.

The presentation started around 12:30 with some ninjas scaling down the stage, boom bang, lights, camera, costumes!

First up, Gladiators

3 out of 5 swords

I love the male version of the costume, and so do the guys!!!!! the cape maybe a little extreme for some guys and leads me to wonder if the cape is optional? Anyway the female version at first sight is not a looker, with it's clichéd used of gold and red. But as I look at it more in the booklet and online, its an alright costume, it fits the theme, its not bad, its one of those last resort costumes in my book.

Next, Mongol Fighters

3.5 out of 5 swords

Now this was the gritty, rough kind of costumes I was talking about, I absolutely adore the shoulder pads!!! The headpiece with the spikes in the front. However the downfall of this costume is, the way the bra and belt are made, it will only look flattering on certain body types, primarily pear shaped chicks, the rest of, it may look alright...

The male costume in this, is not bad, save for the spiked shoulder pads and headpiece, its just another board short compilation

Persian Gold

4 out of 5 swords

From the time I saw the teaser video I loved the glimpse of Persian Gold! My God was it a beauty!!!! Then, that model stepped out on stage in all her glittering glory and I was sold. Thus costume is gorgeous as a frontline, the backline, is just meh. However the more I watch the costume, is the less I love it.

But where is the male version though? Oops, I bypassed it cause it was so ordinary looking, or it could be that I was so enthralled with the frontline.

Xi'An Warriors

4 out of 5 swords

This costume again is what I was looking for more of, not one single feather!!! This costume I skimpy and I love it! If I had the body for it I would definitely be wearing it.

Knights Templar

3.75 out of 5 swords

At first glance I loved the costume, but as I saw the arm pieces and started thinking about the lovely sun burn I would acquire, it lost some points. The costume blends pretty and gritty, somehow managing to stick to the theme with those arm pads, but the rhinestone work reminds me of a previous TRIBE costume, from Birds of a Feather.

The male costume is really cool though...I hope it comes with the sword!

Iroquois

5 out of 5 swords!

OH MY GOD!!!!!!! were the words coming from my mouth. Lele and I took a quick look at eachother and that was it....Iroquois was our first choice, that costume has zero gems, zero feathers, the bead work is lovely, the colour blend, lovely, overall it is just a lovely costume!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sashura

1.5 out of 5 swords

I hate this costume. the end

Amazon

4.75 out of 5 swords

This is another one of my choices, I love the nude bra, with the orange, green, and blue feathers! The frontline/individual (some one clear that up please) is gorgeous!!!! It's an elegant costume. The guys, just have it ordinary again....

Masai & Tribal Warrior

3.5 out of 5 swords

A lot of people are overwhelmed by this costume and I am just....not. Basically peter took the formula to African Love Bird and changed the colours, added a standard with Kente cloth and a wicked mohawk headpiece!

As for the males, I get a strong flashback of island people Zebra, but done better.

For this section I reserve further judgement until I see costumes in person.

Arctic Warriors

0 out of 5 swords

Hate This costume also, it looks like Silver Mist headpiece, reincarnated itself for the males.

Mayan Warriors!!!

5 out of 5 swords

This has to be the best costume in the entire presentation, it sticks to the theme, its covered but sexy! I love it, all versions of the costume looked great! I know the guys are probably battling for the individual as we speak!

NOTE for many who are concerned about bra support and this costume, the costume has a regular bra, but there are two pieces of cloth attached which gives it the wrapped around look

All in all, I would say, TRIBE did a good job! So Good of a job they made me want to play mas, however, do I have the finances to play mas is a whole other story. Stay Tuned for part 2 of this review tomorrow when I talk about BLISS.

all photos are property of TRIBE

Anya's Email to Past Spicers

Hey guys !!

It was great seeing all of you along the spice route for carnival 2010

as we palanced through the streets on port of spain for two fun

filled , memorable days .

Its that time of the year again and we are eagerly awaiting the

opportunity to reveal to you guys "The signature collection. "

For carnival 2011 spice encourages you to indulge in all fabulous,

glamorous , enchanting and enticing as we represent the finer things

in life and allow you to reveal "your signature. "

Nothing Signature about the Signature Collection

`So it's no secret that I've been out of the action lately, but simply put a combination of my personal issues and the lack of me having anything to report about carnival is the cause of this long posting drought.....however, after seeing Saucy's post and pictures about Spice's media launch....I needed to voice my opinion.

To say I am not impressed is an understatement, as a previous Spice supporter and patronizer I am most disappointed in the sneak peak costumes displayed last night. These costumes look like bits and pieces of previous popular costumes stuck together to make an ode to those once hot costumes. It is best they call the theme "Signature Collection: Tribute to Signature Carnival Costumes"

I may sound harsh, but honesty is the best policy, I can condone slight influence from a previous successfully appealing costume, but when i watch a costume see, the blatant copy of one other popular band headpiece( from 2005? ) just in all crystals, a sea salt belt, modification with brighter crystals and cuter... and instead of a headpiece, lets take those feathers and make it into wings!

A headpiece that is a mixture of several costumes, the neck piece which has been redone and killed to death since it came out last July, a flashback of multi-coloured costume, except just not as catchy and an overall, out-of-place flashy sequin bra, blandly pink feathers.... perhaps if the feathers were brighter, the bra a plain silver lame or foil, would enhance the rhinestones, help bring them out...

I'm sorry but I just cannot get hyped for their band launch, I hope there is something else to be revealed at their band launch that can help bring the collection back to signature...

Spice Review

I have come to the conclusion that I have over hyped and over anticipated carnival so much that it became anti climatic for me.

Now my review can be considered a half review since I didn't go downtown at all on both days.

Spice has grown to be about 3 times its previous size. Kudos to them on achieving this on their 2nd year.

Monday:
My monday wear looked fine and everything. I got down to the savannah round 12 and caught them just after they crossed. So chipping now to lunch where we had to show them your ID band to get into qrc grounds. Which was all fine and well but thus created a huge bottleneck for some hungry masqueraders.

For lunch there was the option of Arabic, Creole or Specialty. I ended up in arabic where you had a choice of lamb, chicken and I can't say what the veggie box had in it. The chicken was on point! Everything else was dry in my opinion. Compared to last years food I would give them a 3 out of 5.

Back on the road again! Managed to meet a good few bloggers! Big up to everyone I saw. My big toe now start to cramp my style I hadda be limping then end up on the rest truck cause my big toe hurting like a bitch! Thus when we reached ariapita had to call it quits.

The drinks trucks were lower by far than last year but when handing me a hot drink...where's the ice? You mean I must ask for ice or drink it hot? Steups I do not remember doing that last year. That problem was rectified on tuesday though.

I did not even go on the wee wee truck every time I looked it was packed. I did hear there was no tissue in the wee wee truck.

The guy on the rest bus was veryyy nice and accommodating kudos to him

Where was the cool down truck with the water I didn't recall seeing it. Did anyone see it?

Tuesday
So I arrived about 9 just before we were crossing the stage. We waited an entire hour and a half probably in the hot sun and yuh girl forget her vex money. Thus by the time I'm crossing the stage I feel faintish I cannot even palance cause I want to dead. Lol I hurry off the stage and walk like a woman on a mission while trying to keep this head piece on my head

I take 1 bottle of water and a pepsi. That isn't enough going back for a second bottle the barman not paying me any mind. This nice men next to me gets the water for me thank you so much if you ever happen to come across this. I inhale that water I'm up to speed again lol but first I need a lil nourishment since 2 rest buses are full. So I head onto the snack truck for a lays.

I have to say now I remember why I never cross the savannah "stage" to dehydrate myself to cross not even on a proper stage but the road? Steups

We make our way to the lunch stop at this point the security stopped checking bands I ended up in specialty food. Where we got spaghetti and meat balls with a slice of garlic bread. Food was still bland but a good change up on the usual food offered by most bands. Oh I would just like to note my spice booklet had a whole other menu.

Head back on d road I go home for slipper instead of boots shed my backpack and head piece and wait for the band to reach ariapita. Rocky, buffy and tc performed but by the time they reached my truck rocky had to go handle band business. I stayed with band where they stood on ariapita for a long time waiting on what I don't know. I left the band there too.

Issue : spice's head pieces except rubies were leaning forward and flying off. Totally unexpected and irritating.

Issue : lack of damn space I actually think trucks got wider because every band is struggling for space to palance n when u start to palance there is a truck horn blaring.

Issue : lack of pr on the band leader's part. I personally had no problem with anya in collection she asked me where the rest of my receipt I explained that I got a copy from the showroom when I lost mine. But I noticed she was not as polite as rocky if she did talk to you.
As a band leader you need to be able to talk to people and many people complained about her and the way she responded to them. They were not impressed. My mother actually pointed this out to me since last year at the time I thought she was over reacting.
I also heard that on a tv interview when crossing the stage she appeared to know little to nothing about the theme. I cannot confirm or deny this since I did not watch it on tv but IF this did happen I would have hoped she knew info on her theme since she is a band leader.

Overall I think I need a break from mas. To me mas is not as much fun a before with so many masqueraders , larger trucks, little to no space to move or palance also the huge lack of respect for others and their costumes on the road mas may not see me for 2011.

EDIT TO ADD 18/2/2010

Another thing is I forget to big up the security they were doing their thing, scissors crew really cut plenty stragglers out of the band.

Also where did the little refresh station by the toilets at the rest stop go...clearly it was a mirage. I thought when you go larger, there are economies of scale to benefit from....well clearly I lied to myself

Also big up to D and her entire friends and family who adopted me!!!!

Spice Collection

My Costume - Spice Moroccan Heat

So as many of you may know, I actually thought I was down for the count for Carnival. But by the grace of God I made it and I palancin!!!!!!!!!!
So distrution starts at 12 I was there at 12:30 and there were about 20 people already. These people not playin nah! lol There were only 2 cashiers, Anya at Cash and another at Linx. I guess that because all the others did not come to cash until 12:45 or so!
Anywho the ballroom is layed out with Rocky handing out chits, the chairs to sit while waiting to collect, then there is the Last Call Costumes Bay which people who now want a costume can get one, I saw 5 people over there. There is the Express Collection where she looks over your bill and signs.
Now onto the costume. When I went to get the costume now, my cuz workin the distribution lmao as well as 2 friends on is a cashier the other in repairs. Anywho I get my costume the belt fits lovely the headpiece wonderful, bra cups and band fit wonderful until we reach the top of the bra with the halter neckpiece.
It was too long so I had to take in repairs, waited for a 10mins for them to finish the repairs they were working on and my friend hook me up! niceness in 10mins i was ready to head across....low and behold Carnival Kicks has a booth at collection! complete with boots, no prices lol to sell! So while yuh waitin on your band you taking in boots....niceness lmao.
Got my band and goody bag and was on my way. All in all collection took an hour. But Im glad I got to see Caspian sea fl backpack which is gorgeous and the fl to my costume, Moroccan Heat, which the flho said the backpack heavy...between you and me she may be a first timer lmao!

The costume is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In fact the belt is even prettier than the prototype, the colour is rich and I am excited!!!!!I must say the quality of Spice's costumes have improved drastically then last year and not one single thing dropped from costume, nothing!!! and trust me I played around with it plenty!


So the only qualm is the goody bag...is a recessionary goody bag, at least they put the sunblock in there eh! Thank God!!!!


All in all Spice gets a thumbs up for collection!

TRIBE Costume Distribution Schedule

PLEASE NOTE:

If you have purchased a costume from someone and it has not been transferred to you on our system OR you are collecting a costume for someone, please ensure that you walk with:

• A letter signed by the costume owner authorizing you to collect.
• A copy of costume owner's picture ID.

Costumes will NOT be released to persons without these documents.

TRIBE's Mas Camp will be closed for costume transactions from

Monday 1st February - Saturday 13th February to facilitate Costume Distribution at Cascadia Hotel.

TRIBE Customer Service Hot lines during distribution hours ONLY.

(868) 347-4944

(868) 390-2081

The Mas Camp will be open for TRIBE IGNITE ticket sales ONLY.

Spice Express Collection!

Hey Spice cCew,

To ensure that your costume collection is speedy
and efficient, we have now made an EXPRESS COLLECTION LINE available to
you @ The Trinidad Hilton Hotel

To take advantage of this
Express Line, you will need to make your FINAL payment IN FULL @
Spice's Showroom by Tuesday 2nd February @ 5pm!

This offer however, applies to orders done IN SHOWROOM ONLY.

Please be advised as well that the showroom will be closed from Tuesday 2nd February @ 6pm.

Registrations will resume @ The Trinidad Hilton on Friday 5th February @ 12 noon.

Costume
Collection will also take place @ The Trinidad Hilton. We will advise
you on the collection dates for your respective sections shortly.

Regards,
The Spice Team

Last Minute MUAs

Hiya guys!!! So you know Trini people love a last minute thing!!!! So if you didnt book your Make Up Appointment, try these two MUAs that I personally recommend.

___________________________________________________

Make up By Dixie Ann John

I personally love how flawless her airbrushed make up looks and I think she does a great job all around!!!


Full Airbrush Makeup Application - TT$300
(This includes eyelashes, airbrush design and jewels/glitter)

Airbrush Application without eyelashes - TT$250
(without airbrush design, other items remain as above)

Airbrush Application without eyelashes - TT$200

Coverage of Stretch Marks - TT$150 and up

Regular Airbrush Makeup for All-Inclusive fetes - TT$250 (do make house calls - travel fee to be included)

Special requests such as mehendi or special designs, please contact me via my website www.dixieannjohn.com or proairbrushmakeup@gmail.com to get final quote.
Note - a light breakfast and beverage

_____________________

Make up By Roshelle Franklin
This is my MUA she does a great job all the time! I got commended on my make up for the entire time Carnival Tuesday. She does not use airbrush but applies by hand.

She will be based in Woodbrooke this year, you can contact her at 682 1616.
Her price is $250 for make up only, eyelashes are an additional $75.00 and gems can also be attached at an additional cost.

__________________________________
Make Up by Tashi Baxter

Services offered for Carnival:

Monday: $200 (Includes dramatic eye makeup, glitter, eyelashes)

Tuesday: $250 - $350 (Includes dramatic eye makeup, glitter, eyelashes, body jewels (any size), appliqué)

I would be mobile (coming to the client’s home) and located in POS, call for more info.

Contact Info: Cell: 790-0219

Email: teaserhi@gmail.com

Blog : http://www.teaserhi.blogspot.com