Mas on the Runway: Tribe’s Lana Nobrega Mash Up New York Fashion Week
From Carnival to Catwalk
Tribe creative director Lana Nobrega had just five days’ notice to pull off the unthinkable: represent Trinidad Carnival at New York Fashion Week. She packed feathers, gems, hot glue, and pure vibes. The result was a standing ovation at Sony Hall.
Her five-piece collection, Guazu, Siraj, Navi, Poinciana, and a sixth-minute stunner crafted in a single day, lit up Runway 7. The audience reacted like it was Machel Monday in Midtown.
25 Years of Mas Mastery
From Poison to Tribe to Bliss, Nobrega has spent more than two decades shaping Carnival fashion. But this showcase was different. Editors and designers who never even smell a bake and shark before were floored by the artistry.
Her presentation, set to Bunji Garlin’s Carry It, blended:
- Feathers and beads refined for couture.
- Storytelling through mas — celebrating Caribbean heritage.
- That unmistakable Trini energy that no Paris runway could ever fake.
Why It Matters
Carnival isn’t just a party, it’s an artform, a global export, and an identity. Nobrega’s NYFW splash proves that Caribbean design belongs at the world’s fashion table, not just the Savannah stage.
Bottom Line
Trinidad Carnival just buss up New York Fashion Week. And if the response was anything to go by, don’t be surprised when pholourie and feathers hit Fifth Avenue next.
