Behind the scenes of a Notting Hill Carnival masquerade troupe

‘Right now in our minds, we’re in 2016,’ says Azaria. ‘We’re already thinking about next year’s Carnival before this year’s Carnival.’ Because Makesha and Simone live in New York, the group uses social media to share ideas and themes during the autumn. They build a mood board of colours, prints, accessories and textures to form the basis of the group’s costumes.

The group brings their moodboard to life. Costume designs are sketched and Makesha and Simone leap into action on the streets of Manhattan: ‘We collect feathers, sequins, rhinestones, trims, gems and buttons as well as bras and waist-trainers,’ says Simone.

Trinity stick to bikini costumes, a style specific to Trinidad, and armed with their trusty glue gun – and plenty of soca on the stereo – they soon see silhouettes and costume details begin to take shape.

Every month, somewhere in the world, there are carnivals big and small taking place; where there’s Caribbean diaspora, there’s Carnival. But Trinidad in February is ‘the Mecca for carnival chasers,’ according to Simone. The year’s new soca releases hit the airwaves in time for Trinidad Carnival, which makes this the perfect time for Trinity to choose what tracks they’ll be trouping to come August.

This year the main contenders are ‘Circles’ by Kerwin Du Bois, ‘Ola’ by Olatunji and two songs by Machel Montano, the King of Soca. Montano won Road March at Trinidad this year for having his song ‘Like ah Boss’ played more than any other track.

‘Most bystanders don’t realise that Carnival bands are totally self-funded,’ says Barbie. Masqueraders buy costumes from bands to take part in the parade, so the Trinity collective need to make and sell enough to recruit a whole troupe of dancers.

The team prepare six costume prototypes for a photoshoot and band launch. They need models to show off the costumes and learn a soca dance routine for a launch show in London. ‘We cater for all body shapes: we want a good representation of all women,’ Azaria says. ‘Anyone can do Carnival, anyone at all. If your nan wants to try it out, she can come and join any time.’

‘It really is the experience of a lifetime,’’ says Simone. ‘For some people it is the first time in their lives they can really be free.’ Makesha adds that ‘There’s so much adrenaline, and a huge sense of achievement. When I see all the colours and smiles, and all our hard work, it’s all worth it.’

‘It’s really important for us to carry on our family traditions,’ says Azaria. ‘And there’s always a point in the day where the four of us all get together for a hug and an “I can’t believe we did it!” moment.’

‘It’s about connecting with our culture,’ says Barbie. ‘We’re Caribbean in a diaspora community; if we didn’t do this then something would be lost. Our culture would start to die out. It’s not business: it’s families and friends getting together to keep this going on.’