Costumes, colour and carnival culture in Leeds this weekend

Aria Nisbett, 11, from Chapeltown is this year’s Carnival Princess

Colour, culture and celebration.

The Leeds West Indian Carnival is back this weekend for the 51st year and is a tribute to Caribbean tradition, history, religion - and also relationships within the community.

Set up by Arthur France MBE in 1966, who arrived from St Kitts-Nevis nine years earlier, along with a few friends who were feeling homesick it has grown into the largest carnival of its type outside of London and attracts more than 100,000 people of all cultures from the UK, Europe, America and the Caribbean to Chapeltown and Harehills.

One of the biggest highlights for spectators is the Bank Holiday Monday carnival parade which is an explosion of life with colour, costume, music, troupes, floats and music.

Fun at the Prince and Princess selection.

It is led by the carnival King, Queen, Prince and Princess and designers from Leeds and all over the country vie for the prestigious honour of having the winning costumes for each.

Aria Nisbett, 11, from Chapeltown was crowned this year’s Carnival Princess at a ceremony last Sunday after her outfit, ‘Aquariah, Princess of the undersea fairies’, wowed the judges.

It was designed by Malachi Blair, 27, from Harehills and took more than two months and 2,000 sequins to make.

He said: “Each designer works differently and it’s a different design each year.“I was walking down the street and passed someone’s garden with a little pond in it and it had a statue of a fairy, and that is how this costume came about.“It was mythical, magical and I knew I could go all the way with it. I have someone that makes the wire structure for me and that has to be right. For me it takes about two months from start to finish. It is a lot of hours but worth it.“I have been placed at judging and had a winner in 2014. This year I thought I would see what I can do. It felt good to be back on the main stage and was exciting.”

For the winner of the Prince costume it is an early start to her carnival costume career as the designer is just 11.

Prince Makai Jeremiah, nine, from Chapeltown is the Prince.

Lina Mir from Moortown, a pupil at Harewood C of E School, created ‘Prince Goodwill’ for this year’s Prince Makai Jeremiah, nine, from Chapeltown.

Her grandfather is Mr France so the carnival has been an integral part of her childhood.

She told City Buzz: “It has always been part of my life and my mum used to take me when I was a baby. The first time I wanted to make a costume? I don’t know why, I just wanted to see what happened.“I feel like the prince costumes are easier and more elegant and seeing them in the past has helped.“I was really happy to win and me and my friend screamed. They asked us to come up on stage and I literally jumped up. I don’t have a favourite part of the carnival but I just think it is going to feel a lot more different this year.”

Lina and Malachi will be presented with their prizes for having the winning costumes before the King and Queen show tomorrow night (Friday).Take the chance to see some of the costumes before the Monday spectacular and the night features food, music and entertainment.It is at the Royal Armouries from 7.30pm for ages 16 upwards and with tickets.