Aspiring and veteran designers in Saint Lucia are being given the chance to reimagine Carnival costumes through Mas Making Magic: From Vision to Costume, a workshop launched on September 4 by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The initiative invites participants to explore the full process of costume creation from concept sketch to final construction with an emphasis on blending Saint Lucia’s vibrant Carnival traditions with new artistic techniques, including lighting and mechanics.
At the launch, CDF’s executive director Ramona Henry-Wynne described the workshop as an opportunity to strengthen, not replace, existing skills.
“The workshop is a bold statement by the Cultural Development Foundation, the custodian of our cultural heritage and traditions, affirming our commitment to keeping Saint Lucian mas alive, vibrant and evolving,” she said.
“Mas is not simply fabric, wire, sequins or feathers. Mas is vision. Mas is storytelling. Mas is identity expressed through artistry and movement.
The workshop is led by Taiwanese master artist Ms. Hsienyu Chuang, an accomplished lantern designer with over two decades of experience. While her work originates in Taiwan’s lantern-making traditions, her skills in balance, structure, and spectacle have direct relevance to Saint Lucia’s Carnival designs.
“Carnival is not only a lively festival, but also a profound expression of culture combining historical memory and the emotions of the people,” Chuang told participants. Pointing to the island’s natural beauty, she added that elements such as “the deep blue sea, the majestic twin peaks of the Pitons, and its tropical flowers and birds” could be transformed through costume design “into the lights, colours, and forms of costumes shining brightly on the stage of carnival.”
She also emphasised the reciprocal nature of the collaboration: “When Taiwan’s fabric techniques meet Saint Lucia’s vibrant colour language, when our embroidery craft merges with your natural inspiration, new costumes are born. These are not just works of art, but a story of two islands and two cultures.”
Taiwan’s ambassador to Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Nicole Y. Sze Su, highlighted the importance of the exchange, calling it “the encounter of our two cultures across the ocean to ignite inspiration and imagination.”
She noted that while the official launch was taking place in Castries, the workshop had already begun virtually a week prior, allowing local designers to experiment with Taiwanese lantern-making techniques in preparation for the in-person sessions.
For Senator Guibion Ferdinand, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Culture, the training reflects a necessary evolution in Carnival arts. He recalled watching Saint Lucia’s king and queen costumes on television as a child and admiring their spectacle, but also worrying about their weight.
“I always used to follow the carnival costumes on TV and felt for those carrying the heavy structures, especially King and Queen of the Bands,” he said.
“In recent times, we’ve embraced new technology and lighter materials. What is most important is that the persons carrying them seem to be under less stress, and this training will help to enhance that.”
The workshop will run over the next two weeks with evening and weekend sessions, culminating in an exhibition on September 17. The costumes produced will also be featured at Taiwan’s National Day celebrations on October 9.
For the CDF, the project represents an investment in both heritage and innovation. As Henry-Wynne told participants at the launch: “As you begin this workshop, I encourage you to think beyond the familiar. Embrace experimentation and let your creativity shine, because when vision and craft come together, that is when the true magic of mas happens.”
