Rain or shine, Carnival is the one day (well, technically two but anyone who knows anything knows Monday’s the day to go) a year Londoners north, south and east brave the jam-packed tubes and make the trek to Notting Hill with a Red Stripe in hand and a one love mentality. But for the last four years, while the party-goers move towards Portobello en masse, photographer Olivia Rose has scoured the less crowded areas for the boys who really know how to celebrate the culture of Carnival.
Why did you decide to photograph boys at Carnival?
I’m a deliberately (and unashamedly) contrary person, so anything you might expect someone to shoot, I will avoid at all costs. At carnival this encompasses everything from feathered costumes to dancing crowds, bright colors and the urban backdrop of London itself. As a one-quarter Bermudian gyal (brought up in big bad London), Carnival is a special time of the year for me. It’s a time to celebrate a culture far too often misinterpreted by the media. For me, the fascination with the boys at Carnival was all about their bad rep. I decided ‘Right, I’m gonna go and see what’s really going on with these guys.’
How long have you been doing it for?
This year will be my fourth year, although 2014 was a bit of a wash out. The rain is the one thing my camera can’t contend with and I couldn’t get my backdrop to stick.
How do you cast the boys?
It’s 75% standing and looking (whilst standing face-on to the oncoming human traffic!) until I find someone who has the right vibe. I can’t explain what that is in words, but I can tell you that when I know, I know. The other 25% is a literal run-and-grab situation. I never know the boys before I shoot them, but sometimes I become friends with them after. Carnival is a really rich casting ground and I’ve gone on to shoot a few of the guys I’ve met there for other projects.
Are they quite happy to let you photograph them?
People in general are flattered to be asked to stand for a portrait, but of course I’ve had a few no’s. I remember a guy who came running past with blood stains on his arm and shirt the first year I was shooting. Obviously there was a story there and I was transfixed. He was literally about to step on set when he must have changed his mind and darted away.
Do you think the carnival is becoming more commercial? Is it forgetting its roots and just becoming somewhere Londoners go to get fucked up?
Isn’t everything becoming more commercial? There are a few ways to ‘do’ Carnival and there are definitely some authentic spots still to be found. Oh, and Carnival has always been somewhere to go to get fucked up. It’s just that nowadays we demonize that by taking it out of context. Carnival is about celebration and there’s nothing wrong with a likkle bit of rum, ganja and sun on the vibes-iest day of the year!
What’s the best day to go to Carnival?
Definitely Monday. The Monday is when the fun really happens. Sunday is known as kids and families day and although there are youts around on both days, Monday is more charged with that electricity that really makes Notting Hill Carnival what it is. It’s rowdier, busier, louder and has the added bonus of being a bank holiday (and everyone knows that means TUN’ UP!).
What’s your top Carnival tip?
Take a fistful of pound coins so that you can pay to pee! Porta potties are grimmer than grim and for the bargain price of £3 you can use someone’s swanky West London facilities, complete with bog roll AND flush!
Credits
Text Felicity Kinsella
Photography Olivia Rose