I Became a Wedding Crasher on My First Day in London

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By: Jake Keller

After around 12 hours of travel, by car, plane, and foot, I arrived in the illustrious city of London. I only received around 4 hours of less-than-ideal sleep in an airplane seat, but I was told that the best way to overcome jet lag was to make it through the day. Thankfully, I had a plan to fight fatigue and simultaneously immerse myself in the multicultural city: attend an Indian wedding.

My friend and fellow student traveler, Simran, had a sister visiting London for the wedding, and she wanted us to go; we agreed without hesitation. After getting ready, we embarked on our journey, which began with a walk to hop on the Elizabeth line of London’s train system, known as the “Tube” by locals. It should be no surprise that we got on the wrong train, but we persevered, and after traveling about an extra hour than we should have, we made it to the wedding.

In my head, I had pictured a crowded event, but as we entered the doors, I began to feel like a wedding-crasher. Simran left with her sister for the bathroom, and I sat alone at a table, avoiding what I interpreted as strange looks from the guests and the bride who wondered why I was there. I had never been to anything other than a traditional American wedding before. The customs were different from what I was used to, as was the music and the garb. I felt like a bit of an outsider, worrying that I was unwanted, but then, I got invited to the dance floor.

I’ve always hated dancing at weddings. I feel exposed as my lack of skill is on display for all to see. One time I attended a wedding where the pair getting married were clogging instructors, and as you can imagine, everyone took to the dance floor to clog. I was a plus one to that wedding as well, and when my friend dragged me onto the dance floor, I clicked and clacked my heels on the ground like a newborn giraffe. Flashforward, and I was once again forced to dance at a wedding where the style was unfamiliar, but I did my best to mimic the movements of my dance partner. She smiled and laughed as Simran recorded us, and I found myself grinning ear to ear.

I felt included in the wedding of these two people whom I had never met. They did not know my name, yet they welcomed me with open arms. Most of those whom I talked to spoke to me in Punjabi, a language that I don’t know, but that never limited their hospitality. One man in particular kept offering me drinks and asking me if I was having fun. Simran had to translate for me, but his energy was enough to make me feel welcomed.

After we left the wedding, we visited a nearby gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship. Nobody questioned why I was there, despite my knowing nothing about the religion or its customs. Simran’s sister helped me secure a bandana on my head and direct me where to store my shoes before we entered the Darbar Sahib, the prayer hall. We approached the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture, and I copied the motions of those before me: saying a silent prayer, dropping a dollar in the golak, and touching my head to the ground. I then sat criss-crossed on the men’s side of the room for personal reflection.

I reflected on how grateful I was to be in a city surrounded by culture and by people who allowed me to learn about their way of life. I’m not used to being around people from different backgrounds who can walk around speaking different languages and wearing different clothing without being looked at sideways. Although I’ve only been here for a few days, I feel as if London has welcomed me with open arms, and it seems to have done the same for many others.

Final London Reflections

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By: KitKat Brown

My time studying abroad and interning in London has been completely different than what I imagined it would be. I wanted to enter the program with no expectations, because I wanted to be able to take in everything exactly as it was. However, nothing could have prepared me for my experience. It has truly been the most amazing time of my entire life. 

I have made so many incredible new friends at my organization, and I have had a ton of fun going out and exploring London. To me, being in a new city means making new memories and learning more about myself. I have definitely grown as a person throughout my experience, both professionally and personally. My internship at Paddington Arts has been unforgettable. Since my tasks mostly involved writing blog posts, I learned a lot about that process. Throughout my role as an intern, when I generated story ideas I had to think about whether or not each idea would be something that my peers would want to read. I learned how to analyze what makes an interesting story. Something else that I experienced every day at my internship at Paddington is gratitude. I am so grateful to have been working alongside such amazing people. After spending seven weeks at Paddington, I’ve come to know it as a place that is incredibly familial. All of the people here have been so welcoming, and I have really enjoyed working alongside my co-intern, Julia. Every person I have met at Paddington has allowed me to become a better person myself. I am also grateful to have been able to work with such passionate people. One thing I always say is that work is more meaningful when you are passionate about what you are doing. Being part of an organization that is passionate about educating and uplifting the community is both admirable and inspiring. This internship has also allowed me to learn a lot about how to adapt. It is one thing to live in a completely different country, but it is another thing to work there. You have to become accustomed to a different work culture, as well as adapt to things like commuting. I have grown in my independence, and I now feel ready to move forward professionally. This internship was largely independent, and so I feel like I have gained experience in managing my time and staying organized.  

Overall, I am incredibly grateful to have gotten the opportunity to intern at Paddington Arts. I have met so many wonderful people, and I will not forget those people or the memories I have made. It has been so rewarding to be a part of something that gives back to the community, and that helps people. I have so much love for Paddington!

Posting & Paddington Pride with Social Media Manager Karina Saniuk

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By: KitKat Brown

As an intern at Paddington Arts, I know there are many different people who work together to make Paddington the best that it can be. One of these people is Karina Saniuk, 23-year old freelance social media manager. She specializes in digital marketing and works at Paddington Arts promoting on social media and creating content. I wanted to interview Karina and showcase why her role at Paddington is so special. Karina describes her job as: “help[ing] businesses with their social media marketing, digital marketing, content creation, ensuring that they stay ahead of the trends, ahead of the times, helping them sell, educate or inspire, whatever their business goals are.” Specifically at Paddington, Karina plays a big part in helping us achieve our missions. My interview with her is a behind-the-scenes look at how Paddington connects with the community. 

Karina ensures that all of the good that Paddington does for the community is made known. She explains: “At Paddington Arts specifically, I manage the social media and help with their communications. Majority of the time, the goal is to inspire and educate people in the community, and to showcase what we do in the community and the impact that we have.” According to Karina, it is very important to have marketing for an organization, because it is how the public stays informed about what the organization is doing. In the case of Paddington, usually the goal with various things such as events, performances, or shows, is to reach as many people as possible. This is the approach through which Karina works to promote Paddington and engage with the community. Karina also describes why she believes that social media is such an important platform by which to do so. She mentions the impact of the global pandemic on businesses and highlights the importance of digital communication. “I think what COVID did was it brought awareness as to the importance of social media and why every business needs to be on social media. Businesses had no choice but to go digital.” In general, the world has experienced a dramatic shift into online services due to the pandemic. Marketing, especially social media marketing, was always something that was digital, but because of COVID even businesses that did not have a strong social media presence then needed to curate one. From this, Karina at this time was also “…coaching different businesses on social media, how to set it up, how to manage it themselves.”

Finally, I asked Karina what her favorite part of her work is. She answered: “It’s the fact that I get to see people’s dreams, and I get to see people’s work, and I help them turn it into real life and help them…help other people, and now that’s really rewarding.” Karina truly has so much passion for what she does, and she takes pride in it. Indeed, it is a great feeling to know that what you are doing is helping people. Overall, Karina is someone who I admire due to the fact that she built up her marketing skills and eventually has become able to work for herself. I am very glad that I’ve gotten the opportunity to work alongside her and contribute to the success of Paddington Arts.

Paddington Arts Presents: Olivia Twist

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By: KitKat Brown

Paddington Arts is truly a special place where people of all ages can come together and nurture their creativity. Through putting on productions, Paddington allows the youth to become involved in the performing arts and develop their talent, as well as socialize and connect. The children who come to Paddington Arts don’t just muddle through their practices; rather they actually have a desire to be at Paddington. Some children come from hard backgrounds, and Paddington acts as a safe space for them. This summer, Paddington Arts will be putting on a production of the popular musical Olivia Twist. These children who are part of the production are able to have their own outlet. I had the wonderful opportunity to observe rehearsal one day, and I also got the chance to speak with director Eldora Edward about what makes the children and the production so special and meaningful.

I am so grateful to have been able to watch rehearsal. Immediately, I noticed the talent that every child possessed. They were using mature acting skills, and their ability to memorize lines was impressive. I was very captivated by their performance, and even in just a small amount of time I could tell that the finished product would be amazing. Seeing these children perform made me curious about their stories and how they choose to interpret their art. Eldora Edward is the Deputy Director and Head of Programming at Paddington Arts, and the director of Olivia Twist. I sat down with her and we discussed what the production means to the children.

Eldora said, “…the area we live in, we are just dealing with the obvious. Deprived young children, single parent families…So it’s an outlet. It’s also a very safe social space for them. So these young people who come here may not have a PS game console, or an Xbox, or the latest iPhone. So they come and they do…old-school socializing…catch up with your friends in a safe space.” Paddington Arts serves not only as a place for the arts, but as a safe space for children from all kinds of backgrounds. Children who may have a tough home life or who struggle socially or mentally can interact in what is truly a safe space. Due to a wide range of opportunities offered, children are able to use the whole performing arts sector as an outlet at Paddington. Eldora also shared with me how she takes the time to familiarize herself with each child and what they need as it pertains to the show. Eldora explained her approach when writing the script: “I watch them, I write the character that I know they are. So they’re not changing. They just become more elaborate… Because this is an after school provision, and my thing is, you don’t want to come from school to school.” Eldora tailors each character to each child. Through this, the children are able to still be grounded in themselves. This also lessens the taxing mental energy and instead turns the experience into a physical and spiritual outlet. The people at Paddington, especially Eldora, are what make it a safe social space for children and a great place to delve into the magic of performing arts. Paddington truly wants the best for all of the youth who attend, and the impact it has on them is something that will always stick with me.

 

My Final Reflections on Paddington Arts

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By Julia Vetsch

And just like that, my internship at Paddington Arts comes to a close. Though my time here was limited and passed in the blink of an eye, I was able to gain valuable experiences that I will carry throughout my life. I started my internship hoping to do work that would prepare me for a career in journalism. As an editor for my university’s newspaper back in America, I was excited to practice journalism in a new and unfamiliar environment. After being assigned to Paddington Arts and reading the organization’s description, I was sure that this was the perfect place for me. 

From the first day, I was welcomed with open arms by every member of the staff. Each day, everyone had a smile on their face and exuded endless positivity. At first, I was surprised by how little instruction I seemed to be given — I am used to strict directions and limited freedom with which stories to write. I assumed since this is a real-world organization, and not my school newspaper, the rules would be even more rigid. 

However, Steve made clear that we should write whatever we think pertains to our peers’ interests. It was a great experience having this much creative freedom, and I loved trying to find original ideas that would fit in best with the blog. At times when I got stuck, Steve was always ready to guide me in the direction of a story. For example, he brought the story of Meanwhile Gardens to my attention; if not for this suggestion, I would never have known how much inspiration lies within the small gardens down the road from Paddington Arts. 

After I had written a few articles, Steve suggested writing a piece centered around an interview. He reminded us that people are the heart of journalism, and that it would be helpful for us to gain experience with this. I chose to interview Johnny Boy Moore, a performer at the Columbia Road Flower Market. At first, I was nervous because the only interviews I’ve conducted have been pre-scheduled. Since I didn’t get a response from Moore after reaching out online, my only option was to approach him at the market and hope he’d be interested in talking to me. I’m generally a shy person, so I was worried about being a bother. However, when I approached him, he was more than happy to answer my questions and we had a great conversation. This was one of the most valuable lessons from my internship experience — it’s okay to take chances, even in situations that could be uncomfortable. 

Living in London has taught me so much independence and adaptability. Navigating such a large foreign city for the first time was intimidating, but only three months later it feels like home. It still amazes me how much distinct character lies within each borough, and how areas that are just a few tube stops away from each other can seem like entirely different cities. I’m going to miss all the pubs, the parks, and the rich culture and history around every corner.

My experience at Paddington Arts and in London has been nothing short of spectacular. It was inspiring to see how much care and passion every staff member brings to the office every day. I not only got to work in a positive, inspiring environment every day, but also gained experience that has no doubt prepared me for further work in journalism. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to intern at such a wonderful organization.

Johnny Boy Moore Facebook

Interview with Johnny Boy Moore at the Columbia Road Flower Market

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By Julia Vetsch

On a sunny spring Sunday in London, there’s no better place to be than Columbia Road Flower Market. The scent of lavender and tulips fills the air as you meander down Columbia Road, which is lined with endless varieties of fresh flowers from enthusiastic vendors. On the other side of the street, quaint shops selling antiques, wines, records, ceramics, vintage clothing, and unique homemade pastries welcome market-goers. When you’re strolling in the sunshine, sipping a latte from Hermanos Coffee Roasters, carrying a bouquet of flowers in full bloom, it is undeniable that spring has sprung. It will seem as though the day couldn’t get any better — until you turn the corner. 

On a small street just off Columbia Road with a cocktail window, an oyster bar, and an Italian restaurant, you’ll find “Johnny Boy” Moore, a swing crooner who specializes in Frank Sinatra-style songs. As a Columbia Road Flower Market enthusiast, I have seen Moore perform a few times in the past couple of months — and he always steals the show with his positivity, jazzy dance moves, and timeless setlist. This past Sunday, I got the chance to talk to Moore about his style of music and how he came to be a regular performer at Columbia Road. 

I caught Moore after his set, which lasted a couple hours. While I awaited the end of his performance so I could ask him some questions, he had created such a positive atmosphere with his music that I couldn’t help but keep hoping for one more song. When he thanked the audience and declared that it was time for him to go home and eat lunch, I approached him.

Though I expected that Moore was undoubtedly ready to leave the market after performing for so long, he was happy to talk to me and answer any questions I had. After telling him how much I enjoy his performances, I asked him how long he’s been performing. To my surprise, he replied that he’s fairly new to the swing music scene, and that he’s more practiced in guitar-based music. 

“I’ve only done this style for about five, six years,” he said. “But before that I played guitar all over the place.” 

He went on to tell me that playing and performing music wasn’t his career, but rather something he did for fun. 

“I didn’t do this for a day job,” he said. “I was actually an engineer. I worked in offshore engineering.” 

Impressed by the duality of this man, I was curious to know how he had gone from a guitar-playing engineer to singing Frank Sinatra at the Columbia Road Flower Market each Sunday. 

“About eight years ago, I was at my son’s 50th birthday party. There was a guy there performing with this kind of backing track,” he gestured to his own sound system, “and he told me that my son wanted me to sing one song. I said ‘I only do guitar style!’” Moore said. 

Though he originally protested, he learned that the song would be “Unforgettable”, by Nat King Cole — which, he told me, was one of his favorite songs by one of his favorite singers. He decided it wouldn’t hurt to sing just one song. 

“The crowd just went wild,” Moore said, “and my son said ‘Dad, this is what you’ve gotta do’”.

And the rest is history. Every Sunday, Moore will be there on the corner of Ezra Street off Columbia Road, ready to welcome you with classic tunes like “The Way You Look Tonight”, “L-O-V-E”, “That’s Life”, and “You Make Me Feel So Young”. Between each song, he never forgets to spread joy by saying “happy sunny Sunday everyone”, reminding the audience to “keep smiling” and “be happy”. More often than not, his music, combined with the sunshine and flowery environment, inspires audiences to get up and dance in the street. You might even catch his granddaughter, Charlotte, who is also a singer, performing alongside him. 

“When she was little, I called her ‘Treacle’, because she was so sweet, so I still introduce her that way,” Moore said of his granddaughter.

Next Sunday, pay a visit to Johnny Boy Moore after buying some fresh flowers — his performance is sure to leave you humming Sinatra and smiling for the rest of the day.

I Spent 24 Hours in Morocco

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By: KitKat Brown

 

I recently made the crazy decision to spend 24 hours in Marrakech, Morocco. My friends were going to be there for that time and asked me if I wanted to join them. I knew 24 hours would be a bit of an intense experience, but I had always wanted to see Morocco. So, I decided I had to join my friends. 

The experience I had actually getting to Marrakech was a bit of a mixed bag. My flight left on Saturday, March 22 at 6:05am out of London Gatwick, so that meant I had to leave for the airport at the ripe hour of 2:30am. I took the tube to King’s Cross, and then from there I took the ThamesLink to the Gatwick Airport. I ended up making it through security with 5 minutes to spare before my gate was announced. This experience definitely taught me to leave even earlier for the airport than you think. Regardless, I was glad to have made it. I landed in Morocco at about 9:45am, met up with my driver outside, and we were on our way to the Riad, or traditional Moroccan house.

Our Riad was absolutely beautiful. Staying in a place like this is truly a once in a lifetime experience. The house was colorful and spectacular and even had an open terrace. The traditional Moroccan design was inspiring and aesthetically interesting. There is a rich history that accompanies Moroccan Riads, and staying in a Riad is typical of a Marrakech visit. 

What I was most excited to do in Morocco was the desert excursions. A really popular tourist activity that we booked is one where you ride quad bikes and camels in the desert, followed by dinner and a show. After shopping around at the souks and stopping for lunch, we headed to the pickup point, where a big van picked our group up and we embarked on the hour-long drive into the desert. The quad bike experience was both thrilling and unforgettable. I felt like I could have kept driving the bike forever. After we rode camels we hopped in the van again to head to the dinner and show. We ate traditional Moroccan food including tagine and couscous, which was very delicious. Tagine is a hot dish, which was much needed because it was completely freezing in the desert. Then we gathered around and got to watch a fire performance, which included visual effects made with fire and fire-eating. This was an absolutely perfect end to an already perfect day.

Overall, only spending 24 hours in Marrakech, Morocco was a pretty ambitious decision. I figured I had to make it work because, since I am in London, I couldn’t think of another time where I might be able to get to Morocco so easily. I had an amazing trip and I am so happy that I decided to visit, and I would highly recommend this city to other people. The only thing that I would do differently is stay for a longer time!

Julia Vetsch

Meanwhile Gardens: A Community Treasure Worth Saving

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By Julia Vetsch

Nestled beside the Grand Union Canal in Westbourne, North Kensington lies Meanwhile Gardens, a quaint green space promoting inclusivity and unity between the borough’s residents. Only a few minutes walk from Paddington Arts, Meanwhile Gardens has been bringing character and charm to the North Kensington area for 49 years. To the casual passerby, this garden looks like an adorable space to gather with friends or take a stroll on a nice day — which it is — but the space actually represents a lot more than meets the eye. 

In 1976, a man named Jamie McCollough was determined to create a space that could unify the community in a time of inflation, unemployment, and nationwide blackouts. He had his sights set on an unoccupied, neglected plot of land situated in what was then one of the poorest areas in the country. Though the city had no plans for the land, McCollough struggled to gain permission to create the garden there. However, according to the Meanwhile Gardens website, the city council finally gave in to his persistent requests, telling him that the city may need the land back in the future, but “meanwhile”, McCollough could do what he wanted. 

Hence, the name “Meanwhile Gardens” was born. The decrepit plot of land that was once unloved and barren was transformed into a beautiful community space through the collective effort of people from all different religions, ages, classes, and races. Today, the gardens still serve as a symbol of inclusivity, community, and perseverance. While much of the area around Meanwhile Gardens (Portobello Road, for example) has been gentrified in a way that is untrue to its inhabitants, with chain restaurants, luxury housing, and expensive stores, the gardens continue to stay loyal to the values of the community. 

Today, I visited Meanwhile Gardens for myself, where I was immediately greeted by a sign explaining the gardens’ history. I meandered past the skate park and through a gorgeous tree-lined path to reach the heart of the gardens. Foliage surrounded a stream which ran down the center of the garden into a pond, above which there was a small wooden overlook. Flowers of all kinds bloomed in the bushes and the smell of springtime filled the air. Benches were intermittently placed along the trails and were occupied by couples, an old woman, and people who seemed to be taking their lunch break. It was a perfect place to spend a sunny day. 

I noticed a small plaque within one of the gardens that read “Welcome to the Moroccan Garden”, proclaiming that Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre has dedicated this particular garden to the residents of Kensington and Chelsea on behalf of the Moroccan community. This made it evident to me just how much connection and community Meanwhile Gardens invites. 

As inspiring a story as it is, Meanwhile Gardens is still not permanent. Though Meanwhile Gardens has served as a community space for decades, and is constantly maintained by volunteers who care for it, a lease still hasn’t been secured. The Meanwhile Gardens website claims that the city council is likely hoping to drive them out to replace the gardens with flats, gentrifying one of the last authentic spaces in the region. The Meanwhile Gardens community is currently campaigning to secure a lease, keep the gardens alive, and continue to promote community and inclusivity for all who seek it in North Kensington. 

Julia Vetsch

Student-Friendly Places to Travel from London

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By Julia Vetsch

When you study abroad in London, the travel possibilities are endless. Suddenly being free to travel not only to different states, but to entirely different countries with only a quick train ride or cheap flight is such an exciting prospect that it sometimes feels overwhelming — especially only being here for four months with limited weekends. With such a short amount of time (and with a limited budget), it can be hard to know which cities to take a chance on, and which to skip. I asked some other students in my study abroad program about which countries they feel like are most friendly to the student travel experience. 

The most recommended city by my fellow students was Budapest — and I couldn’t agree more. When I visited the capital of Hungary, I was shocked by how student-friendly it felt. A 72-hour travel pass for public transportation including the tram, bus, and metro was only 5,500 HUF (about £12.49), and the system was efficient and easy to use. 

The food was surprisingly amazing. Our first stop for dinner was a burger joint called Smashy, which had the juiciest smashburgers and paprika-seasoned fries for the equivalent of only £5.42. We also found that almost everywhere we went for authentic Hungarian cuisine (paprikash, schnitzel, goulash) was relatively cheap as well — not to mention some of the most delicious food we’ve ever had. The value in Budapest was far better than anywhere we’d visited before. One of the highlights of the trip was the unlimited prosecco cruise. We cruised down the Danube river past gorgeous, illuminated architecture like the Hungarian parliament building as attendants refilled our glasses with prosecco before they were ever half-empty — all for £20 a person! The nightlife was plentiful with “ruin bars”, which are created from abandoned buildings and lively with young people. Budapest might just take the cake for being the most student-friendly place to travel while abroad. 

Another city that’s worth visiting as a student is Dublin, Ireland. Just a little over an hour flight from London, Dublin offers gorgeous architecture with spots like Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College, plus plenty of Irish pubs and live music. Visitors can also explore museums like the National Gallery of Ireland and EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum. If you’re a stout fan, don’t miss the Guinness Storehouse which offers tastings, floors of attractions related to the famous Irish beer, and a rooftop bar. Another perk is that you’re only a few hours away from the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. According to Rebecca Shimony, the student who recommended Dublin, the city is easy to navigate and nothing is ever too far away.

 

“Dublin was so walkable. The Temple Bar is the most famous pub in the city, and we were almost always within fifteen minutes of that region,” Shimony said. 

Take it from her — Dublin serves as a perfect weekend getaway for any student looking for a destination close to London. 

Amsterdam is another destination that was highly recommended by students. Also a short trip from London, Amsterdam is one of the most affordable (and fun) places a student can visit. My fellow intern at Paddington Arts, KitKat Brown, gave her input on why every student should visit Amsterdam.

“You can do so many touristy things for pretty cheap; touring the Anne Frank House was only about 15 euros and really cool,” Brown said. “We also took a boat tour to see the city with unlimited drinks and cheese for 30 euros.”

Although the tourist attractions in Amsterdam aren’t too expensive, what really makes the city so student-friendly is simply the appeal of the scenery. “The best part about Amsterdam is honestly just walking around and experiencing the city, so you don’t ever need to spend much”, Brown said. The fairytale-like ambiance is an attraction in itself. 

Whether you’re looking for a trip to Eastern Europe, Ireland, or the Netherlands, there’s an easily accessible city for every student to enjoy. Find a cheap flight and embark upon your next great adventure! 

The Notting Hill Carnival Launch 2025

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By KitKat Brown

The Notting Hill Carnival is an iconic lively street festival in London. Meant to highlight and celebrate Caribbean culture, the carnival is an electric event that includes parades, music & dance, food, art, and much more.

One very important part of the carnival is the lineup of Masquerade Bands, or Mas Bands. Each registered mas band walks the parade route at the carnival and creates their own costumes, with a winning mas band announced on social media. The general public is able to register with any mas band and purchase a costume to join in. This year, the Notting Hill Carnival is very important to Paddington Arts. Since first being involved with the carnival in 1996, Paddington has always participated within a partnership. This is the first year that Paddington Arts is registered as an individual mas band at the NHC. In order to promote registration with Paddington Arts, Deputy Director Eldora Edward and her team organized the Notting Hill Carnival Launch, held onsite at Paddington Arts on Sunday, March 23. The launch showcased the fantastic carnival costumes, commissioned through a local designer known as Miracle Precious. Beyond that, the launch itself was a vibrant and festive gathering, with food and musical performances that created an enjoyable and buzzing environment.

Before the launch, I was able to take a look at the costumes as they were being made. Eldora explained to me that Precious individually attaches each jewel to the costume pieces; Precious practices very serious, intricate work, and it all came to life at the launch. I was very moved after seeing Precious’ costumes on the mannequins, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview her, alongside Paddington Arts social media manager Karina Saniuk, at the launch.

Precious described the creative process of fashioning these dazzling costumes: “The creative process is very long. It starts off with sketching first, and research. When I design my costumes I like to have a story behind it.” Precious drew concepts from the Ashanti tribe in Ghana as inspiration for these costumes. The embellished beading on the costume pieces is meant to mimic Kente, which is a type of colorful fabric made in Ghana. These majestic ensembles are a testament to the history and ancestral stories of the Ashanti tribe, with the costumes themselves a proud display of brilliance and regal power.  

Precious recalled her favorite part of designing the costumes: “Making them…And seeing them come to life. Obviously I have my costumes on my mannequins, but when you see my models modeling them, it’s a whole different concept. They bring the concepts to life.” Indeed, the models who performed at the launch definitely gave the costumes the meaning and spirit that they are meant to evoke. Their personas shone through and their bodies moved with the rhythm of the music, creating an inspiring representation. Overall, the Notting Hill Carnival Launch at Paddington Arts was filled with excitement, community, and joy. The display of the costumes was sure to have many folks register with Paddington as their Mas Band.