Clivia Neptune, Costume Designer, and Freelancer

Clivia Neptune, costume designer, freelancer, from Brooklyn New York, shares her journey and success in this business.



Clivia in her glory , gracing the stage in her individual costume


Icons-What's the meaning behind carnival Divaz ? And how was this name created.
Clivia-I received the name Carnival Diva years ago when I use to play character/individual costume. When, I started playing as an adult on the parkway at the age of 16, I only played " big" mas. That ensured my mother that no men will dance with me on the road, and I loved all of the attention that I received. The majority of people who played character/individual mas usually wears a sequin jumpsuit or a full bodysuit while in costume. I was never interested in wearing anything of that sought. I wore my first pair of heels while playing mas. I always graced that stage in a two piece ensemble and high heels decorated boots and everyone who was close to me, started calling me Ms. Carnival Diva. No matter if my costume fell apart, was too heavy to carry, or was unfinished; I always graced that stage or the parkway like a true Diva. The best part of playing mas is the pageantry. When I formed my business, I never intended on doing it alone. I always wanted a team of people to do my business with, so I added a Z to the end of the word Diva. But at this present time, I still have not found a suitable business partner to invest with; but they will come when the time is right.


Clivia, and her models at Sesame Flyers band launch 2011

Icons-What inspired you to be a costume designer?
Clivia-I loved character mas and what it represents, I loved helping my mom and friends make the queen and king costumes in the mas camp. I always wanted to be able to design and decorate my own queen costume. When I got into designing it was to make large pieces, unfortunately that didn't work out because my hands are too soft to bend the tough gauge wire that they used. Both Clyde Boscombe and Albert Baliey, which is a mas pioneer, tried to teach me how to bend wire because I was always eager to learn but I always stopped at 12 gauge wire and couldn't go any further. I eventually gave up big mas and start making section/ floor mas. I still apply all of my designs with large headpieces and backpacks. I just can't get away from the true pageantry of mas.


Carnival Divaz Models with Ramajay Mas 2010



Carnival Divaz Models with Ramajay Mas for 2009

Icons-How do you separate yourself from the other young designers?
Clivia-I am different from other young designers because of my experience and training. Many of these young designers never played mas prior to designing. They did not grow up in a mas camp setting to see what mas is really about or how a mas camp use to run back in the days. They don't know the true culture of mas. I am not saying that I know it all, but I was a mas camp baby. I eat, slept to the end in the mas camp for weeks on edge, I know what it feels like to see a costume that took you weeks to make graces the stage in the back of the museum in full regalia. I know the mas pioneers that are established, and has work all around the world. I was even fortunate to make a few of them make my costume when I was younger. Even up to this day, I still go to them and ask for them to teach me ,new tricks of the trade. How to make certain things. I don't do this as a business, I do this because I truly love it and is good at designing.


Carnival Divaz, Models, Ramajay 2009

Icons-What are some of the bands / sections you design for 2012?
Clivia-So far I have pieces in 5 bands, check back with me in a couple of months for me to give you a final count because I still have design contracts in the works and even some revamps.

Icons-What are your goals for designing or production for 2013?
Clivia-My goal for 2013 is to branch out and make items with a purpose. Between 2011- 2012, I lost myself. I had major issues with my self esteem amongst other things. I want to create garments and mas to inspire women to feel better about themselves. I want them to see pictures in costumes and see how beautiful they are. I know many women that refuse to play mas because they are too big or too skinny, and I feel like they cannot find nothing that will make them look good. Even though most bands started selling monokinis, bodysuits, and tankinis, some monokinis don't look good in a size 3x or in a size 0. And it's hard to find bands that fully decorate corset like they use to I want section mas to look like how it use to be with clothes that tells a story, like bands like Mc Farlane, D' Midas and new upcoming band K2K. I want to design items to hide woman's insecurities and accentuate their true beauty. I want to be able to cater to people that cannot fit into the regular bikini and beads mas or a two piece swim suit. Im also in the process of starting my own swim wear line catering to all body types.



Carnival Divaz Models, Freaks Miami 2011

Icons-Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Clivia-In terms of mas, I see myself doing the same thing that I am doing now. Designing beautiful costumes for various people and making women (and men) happy in their mas. I love what I do and I hope that I still do love it in the next 5 years. I have no desire to become a large company, or make this a full time business, but I want to always be able to enjoy my mas. I have had some hiccups along they way, but I have learned and improved from them. I don't know what the future holds for me, but I only have one wish, and that is to play a queen mas that I designed in Trinidad and dance across the savannah stage ( in my two piece and high heels) lol.








To find out more in depth details in getting a costume design and produce, by Carnival Divaz, please email carnivaldiva@gmail.com