Krave the Band premiered its highly anticipated Crop Over 2025 costumes at the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre on Saturday night. Spectators filled the courtyard and lined the adjacent balconies, eager for a first look at the launch of Secrets of the Abyss.
The night’s showcase began with the unveiling of Erotica, the band’s Foreday Morning collection, followed by a parade of ten striking costume designs, including a specially crafted male option. Inspired by the mysteries of the ocean, the designs were brought to life by a core creative team featuring Tracy Boyce, Vanisha Somauroo, Tyshawn Lovell, and Douglas John.
Speaking to Barbados TODAY, band leader Avery Hackett addressed a common misconception about Krave’s origins, firmly reaffirming its Barbadian roots.
“We need the people here to recognise that and stop calling us outsiders because our parents did what they could to make a better life for us outside of Barbados,” he said. Hackett hails from Licorish Village, St Michael, while his wife and fellow band leader, Tracy Boyce, is from Sion Hill, St James.
Responding to criticism about Krave’s initial costume launch in New York, Hackett explained that while “everybody hated us for it”, it was strategically done to attract more people to the island.
He pointed out that since then, many others have adopted the same approach.
“Everybody is following that same model ten years later—because it is a model that makes sense. You cannot sit in your own corner and expect to grow; you have to go outside and do it,” Hackett said.
Krave’s dedication to showcasing Barbadian talent was evident in the selection of models for the launch. “We set the trends, and we know what we expect to see at the end of the day. We expect to see our Bajan girls represent Barbados and fly the flag high,” Hackett declared.
This year, Krave took a new approach by introducing private costume sections. Among the designers contributing to the collection is David Dewer, while section leaders include Spinny and Bajantube. Additionally, renowned designer Lila Nikole, known for her work in Miami’s high-end fashion scene, has her own section, and Krave’s business partners from Jamaica, Exodus, have designed their own costumes.
Hackett stressed that the band prioritises quality over quantity.
“We are all about the experience—quality over quantity,” he noted. “Our sweet spot for Barbados is 1 200 masqueraders. Our sweet spot for Barbados is 1 200 [masqueraders]. I can manage that, my team can manage that, and they have a great experience on the road,” he explained, as he also acknowledged the logistical challenges of scaling up. “We have been trying to work with the government to get some help in terms of managing more than that on the road. But we know after 1 200 people, it could be a little problematic for the roads here in Barbados.”
Despite its growth, Krave has no immediate plans to move into event promotion. Instead, the focus remains on costume production and delivering an unforgettable experience.
“We keep the projects based on what our core business is, which is the costume production and a crazy, wonderful experience,” he said.
Krave the Band will be at Carnivals in Jamaica, St Maarten, Saint Lucia, and then back to Barbados.
(STT)
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