Bandleaders stand firm on decision about models’ skin tone

Amid some public criticism that a number of Crop Over bands are relying heavily on fair-skinned women and Trinidadian models for their costume photoshoots and band launches, local bandleaders and industry representatives are defending their practices, arguing that logistics, cost factors and creative direction heavily influence those decisions.

Those interviewed also stressed that several black Barbadian models have been featured in band launches so far this season.

President of the Barbados Association of Masqueraders, Bryan Worrell, said the issue was more complex than it appears from the outside.

Best photos

“Bands have their prototypes made in Trinidad, a lot of them, and because you want to get the best possible photos for your costumes before you ship them, it is much easier to shoot them on location there. The costumes are already on the ground in Trinidad, so it reduces the risk of damage and you get immediate access to designers, photographers and materials,” he explained.

Worrell added that while some Barbadian bands rely on Trinidadbased models, others did the reverse.

“There are some bands that actually fly models from Barbados down to shoot their costumes. In the reverse, there are some actual Bajan models that model also for Trinidadian bands. So, it’s a dynamic where each band has its flavour and they do things a certain way. I think what’s concerning to people is that they see the same models, but that is tied to the photographer being used. If they use the same photographer, the photographer may have a set of models they’re accustomed working with. They know how to take direction and it’s easier for them to get to the shoot.”

He acknowledged calls for more diversity but maintained that the market was wide and varied.

Worrell, who has attended only one band launch so far, noted that both foreign and local black models were seen on stage.

“I would agree that we can tap into more of our local talent,” he said. “There are young ladies out here who have the physiques to model costumes and I think we can tap into that more. Some bands appeal to a market that may be looking for certain types to draw eyes, but I have no objection to bands finding local talent first. For my band, I always use local models.”

He pointed out that raw materials for costume production were not locally sourced.

“Barbados doesn’t produce these things. Neither does Trinidad. Most of the raw materials come from India or China. Trinidad simply has a larger stockpile and there are stores you can pop into to grab materials. Some designers are based there and many bands either buy finished prototypes or hire designers in Trinidad,” he said.

General manager of Aura, Rondell Jones said while their photoshoot was done in Trinidad, the band’s launch featured a wide mix of Barbadian models.

Dark-skinned

“We also had dark-skinned girls in our photoshoot, which was done in Trinidad because the designers are based there. It is more feasible to do the actual shoot there. However, the physical launch is something different and when we launched a few weeks ago, we used mostly local girls.”

Jones explained that cost remains the main factor keeping photoshoots in Trinidad.

“For the last four years or so, we’ve been doing our photoshoot in Trinidad, as with most bands in the Caribbean,” he noted. “It all boils down to cost. A band still has to support itself and try to make money, and it is very difficult when you look at everything. Doing the shoot in Trinidad is more affordable and it would be hypocritical for me to say otherwise. Unless the cost comes down, we would have to fly the backpacks to Barbados, then back to Trinidad, then fly finished costumes up again. There are a lot of additional costs to shooting in Barbados.”

Brian Corbin, bandleader of Dream Mas, said bandleaders must be allowed the freedom to choose the models they believe best represent their brand.

“Nationality is not necessarily a concern. It is more about the appeal of the model and the reference to the costume they would be wearing. You have various size models, different looks, different features and complexions to go with whichever colour or theme you’re trying to present, so it is not about using foreign models to create some grand aesthetic. It is about the look and feel and choosing the right model to match the costume.”

Corbin said his band does not source costumes from Trinidad. (TRY)

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