- Soca 2019! -

Monday, April 30, 2012

Saldenah's ~Fantasy in Jewels 2012~





Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club's launch at the Metropolitan Centre was once again jammed to capacity this year. Costumed models were ready to hit the stage just before 1 am. The addition of the photographers pit was great to see, I appreciated it, and hope other such packed launches will have the same set up.  

One of the things that keeps coming to mind as I go through the pictures is options. Designers have given masqueraders choices in everything. With headpieces, you've got the full frontlines, smaller backline versions, and some headbands, which are becoming more popular with masqueraders who don't wear the headpiece anyway.  Now speaking of headpieces, I'm still all about the full big ones, & I'm not over feathers, we haven't had them that long in Toronto for me to say I'm done. So bring them on I say!, & that they certainly did, particularly Fire & Ice, Topazos, Emerald's Finest, Serpents Eyes, Rings of the Mystic Topaz, and Jade Empire.  

Some designers also went with barely there wire bras & waistbands for some frontlines, and a full bra and boy shorts in the same section. There are monokinis of different styles, a mini skirt, capes, and of course, varieties of WINGS, wings, WiNgS!  


I'm really drawn to this shade of orange, mandarin, and how crisp it looks with the white. Love it! 
Also the yellow and teal are amazing together, sigh, I wish I could play in yellow... 

 








I say good on ya Myanna for experimenting with colour combinations like this grey with pink. Mas tends to stick to the tried & true colours, so it's refreshing to see this change, which I think is a soft, pretty look. Perhaps more pink could be added to the suit to not wash it out though, but the headpieces and fl wings are knock-outs.



Trini-in-Toronto applauds Ronnie on every year making a men's costume that guys are excited to play in. He always designs with a lot of attention to the details in their costumes, and gives them a character they think is cool to play. It seems once you give guys a sword, a fun hat, a masculine belt or shoulder pads, they're good to go! I have noticed the last several years this section really has a time on the road! 


For the female fl, I liked how the tail feathers swayed easily, and the model seemed comfortable in the entire full costume, like it was easy to manoeuvre in. (With many massive backpacks & collars, the models are clearly having a very difficult time in them.) Notice that just by adding a cut out to the waistband that ties in the back, it gives the illusion of a high waisted thong. Nice! 


Another fantastic launch, with loads of  COLOUR, & that is what mas is about afterall! 
Everyone is anxiously awaiting Saldenah to publish their prices on their site, which will no doubt increase this year if it is indeed the case that mas materials have really skyrocketed. But by how much is the question... 

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ronny said on twitter starting prices are 200 dollars. Looks like Tribal knights is the only one with a decent price.

LE SHE said...

Price of material sky rocket but yet material such as JEWELS are truly missing? I don't mind the price rise if trhe costume is worth it but as a customer of Saldenahs of 4+ years I am dissappointed at this years selection, but I cannot find myself to play with another band. But rest assure if Saldenah doesn't do better next year, they will not have many loyal revellers left! I just hope for the bands sake that the LOYAL Saldenah reveller give them a chance this year! I don't want to go down lakeshore with 150 other reveller alone....its nice when a whole band sells out completly! Maybe there is still time for saldenah to do some last minute additions to better the sections

Anonymous said...

Hi Karabana would you have any other pictures of the Hyacinth Opal fire of the desert one. I can't make out much in this picture. You have great pictures of the others though. well done.

Anonymous said...

all backline $200 frontline $350 & up men 185 & up

Anonymous said...

The pictures look great. As they say a pictures tells a thousand words. I can definitely tell the ones you like Karabana and the one you don't....lol.

Disappointed said...

Disappointed....
Loads of COLOUR that my 4 year old son could have coloured in his colouring book doesn't mean that he should jump down the lakeshore with said book.

Being at the launch in person and seeing these pictures still doesn't validate me paying $200 for a costume that is not blinged enough to represent jewels.

$200 for no jewels = total fail!

sorely disappointed
loyal masquerader

Karabana said...

Anon 9:37 AM, I put up one of my faves, how did I forget that one! ;-) But no, we didn't get many publishable shots of that one.
Between the 2 of us taking pics though, we do post (proper) pics of all sections.

Anonymous said...

do you know when saldenahs site goes up?

Karabana said...

Online registration is today at 1:00pm! Registration at Barney's Joint is this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 1199 Kennedy Road from 6-9.

Anonymous said...

Well regardless of the views of some on this blog, based on the reviews on mylime.ca, it seems Saldenah will have a mighty fine year this year.

See ya'll, I off to register...

Anonymous said...

the site mite bee delayed until later to day

Anonymous said...

only PIC of Renaissance Mas ?

Lisa said...

Hey Karabana....any pics from Renaissance band launch yesterday? I look forward to seeing those?

Anonymous said...

if 10+ people register for one section does Louis give a group discount? someone please let me know

Karabana said...

Yes, a Renaissance post w pics is coming... :-)

Karabana said...

Now registration will be at 6:00 p.m.

Anonymous said...

How does anyone know what the price of the costumes will be? I've been told different prices when I called...

Anonymous said...

Hi Karabana! Went on saldenah's website just to Check prices but message keeps popping up stating- Available after launch on Apr. 28th. Is there another site to check prices? Thanks

Anonymous said...

It will be up at 9

Anonymous said...

Anyone know when the website will be up and what are the prices? I'm hearing different things...

Anonymous said...

this is crazy because dey cant fix the registration glitch, dey will not put up d prices and official pictures fuh us to see. prices determine wheater i go with saldenah or nationz and dey holdin meh up

Anonymous said...

It seems that these mas camps have forgotten something.
Your customers make you who you are. So many years of acting like you're doing US a favor by taking our money, and providing poor quality with no c/s has finally caught up. The people will not be quieted.
You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

Natasha said...

I love that every section was so COLOURFUL too! There's no black or dark brown colour section. Believe me, these costumes will look so awesome on the road come August. With the sun rays hittin' on masquaraders, oh my!
I especially like the details of the headpieces with the gems and feathers. Alot of readers commented that there isn't alot of gems or "jewels" on many costumes, but there are several costumes that have beautifully decorated belts and bras. I guess some people's expections were much higher, but you never know, section leaders and designers have ample time to do some adjustments etc.

I noticed the detail on "Serpents Eye" with the snake connecting with the bra piece...very creative...not sure if it's painted on though or cloth. I also think that Citrine Dragon section costume should lose the white boa. Looks like an un-needed extra.


My favorites and I think these sections will sell out fast:

Opal Fire
Fire and Ice
Diamonds Are Forever
Rings & Mystic Topaz
Inca Rose
Jade Empire
Garnet In All Its Radiance
Topazmic Explosion (Topazos)
Prescious Zirconia
Ruby Rumba

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to understand the mens costume with the blue shorts and body paint.
Blue shorts, and a head band...
...and how much is this creative costume going for? Do I have to buy my own paint too?

Karabana said...

Their site is still experiencing tech troubles.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know when online registration will begin? The site still isn't update yet.

Karabana said...

It's up. Prices are $195 backline female, $185 male, & frontlines range from $350 - $490.
Mozambique Tourmaline (XPats) female is SOLD OUT!

designingDARYL said...

Great review Karabana!! Always a pleasure to see you. I am only NOW catching up!! Had to come online and leave a comment and say hello. Was quite hectic and we have to STOP meeting this way lol!!

Anon @ 10:28pm (wished these "superb" minds would take the time to create a profile) - the body paint section was opening scene only and not a section per se. Hope it was enjoyed in the spirit it was intended...

Anonymous said...

@ Daryl.

Please keep in mind that we pay you good money to have fun. If you can't take constructive criticism, then maybe you should get out of the game, or step it up.
You're an artist. Take the criticism and learn from it. Your supporters are tired of acting like you're doing us a favor by letting us play with you.

Karabana said...

Yes, good seeing you again designingDARYL at the launches and Ruby and Akkadia, Dominion, & Rio looking niiiice! :D Thanks for being a designer who stands by his comments & uses your name here, & not posting anonymously. I really wish people would come out of anonymity too, sigh, I've said it for years, I'm frankly tired of saying it, I feel I sound like a broken record.
Anonymous 8:15 PM, I'm not sure where you think Daryl didn't take your question & criticism. ?? He pointed out that it was an opener, not a section.

TB said...

I personally don't take anonymous comments posted here too seriously nor should the designers, section and band leaders in my opinion.

There is a difference between constructive feedback or 2 way dialogue versus ranting and slander... LOL

Very few people in the "mas community" here in Toronto have the courage to post their feedback in an open manner (example on the bands facebook pages) because that wouldnt be anonymous. So they come here to bitch and complain and expect something to be done about it when no one who can actually address your concerns knows who you are or how to contact you to discuss further to make improvements.

I dunno just seems counter-productive to me...

Anonymous said...

Go anonymous you tell him...and reserve your right to stay anonymous..

Fromm your fellow anonymous...

Anonymous said...

The last time I complained to the mas leader directly, I was told to give the costume back simply because I demanded the size I've paid for.
We're tired of hearing excuses for this that and the third when we pay you good money for a service.
The worst part every year is the costume drama. Driving down twice to get it, sitting around for hours waiting for you to still glue stuff to the costume. One year I even had to tell the leader to just give me all the pieces, and I'll stick the damn thing together myself. (Purple and white native costume)
Yes, we are ranting, and we are angry.
This is what happens when you treat people like this on a yearly basis. (This is not only Saldenah, CN is the worse for this)
If I could avoid the mas camp, the experience would increase by 100%.

designingDARYL said...

Well said TB! Bravo! But I will go a little further and say that I have already deduced who the main anonymous slanderer is in this blog. You see "blogging" for as long as I have and many folks know this - you get to tell someone's writing style. And believe it or not, writing styles in the future will be as "telling" as a fingerprint very soon...

Trust me, I did not have to "chase" anyone to know who the person was/is making these comments in Kara's blog NOR "her" counterparts (as oppose to celebrating the culture and being unbiased)

I will continue to do my best and I am thrilled that folks can readily identify MY costume designs - regardless of help from the elderly and bald lol.

At the end of the day they are MINE not a regurgitated copy from another carnival of the same year by noted, respectable designers in the game!

Lisa said...

Wow Karabana this is scary. It used to be fun posting here, now its like a war zone.

Anyways best of luck with your site and your wonderful pics. I may check back in time to time to see those.

Lesley said...

If you are tired of the same old drama every year with your costume, how about NOT playing mas the next year.

Simple as that.

My costume was delayed last year and the section leader was overly apologetic and good customer service. And yes, I been through it many years too and it got to the point to me that is understandable because I just can't wait to be on the road and throw my problems away & have fun!

Pressureboom said...

"BODY SO AMAZING GOT ME IN AMAZEMENT... THE CRAZY THINGS YOU DO, OH YEAAAAAA!!"


...sorry, thought I'd livin' up the mood with some good ole' soca.

The End

Karabana said...

What she want?... De gyal want de PRESSAH, PRESSAH PRESSAH PRESSAH!...

Yup Pressureboom das what we need aroun heya, some back in de day tunes...

Pressureboom said...

Woyyyy!!!!!! #FasssWine #LegCockUp #BruckItDown



:D

TB said...

ya its too early in the season for the negativity... people complaining about costumes they dont even have yet! LOL

maybe instead of my headpiece I will wear a BUCKET on my head. That is one of my fave 2012 songs and I am sure it will be blaring on the lakeshore!

TB

Karabana said...

Point yuh finger point it in d sky.
Everybody DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? We want yuh point yuh finger point yuh finger hi. Come again...

:-D

Anonymous said...

Registration CANCELLED for Louis Saldenah today Friday May 04th due to previous booking...Will resume Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th from 2-6pm @ Barney's Joint 1199 Kennedy Rd. Scarborough. We apologize for any inconvenience

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