Every August bank holiday weekend, the streets of Notting Hill are flooded with colour, sound and style. Carnival, which celebrates Caribbean culture and history, marked its 60th anniversary this year, yet it was still as vibrant and lively as always.  

Spotted amongst the crowd were Dazed favourites like Sekou, C.FRIM, I Kissed a Girl’s Fiorenza Cocozza and TJ Sawyerr. Rae Martins Ashton was on the ground between the Deviation and Rampage sound systems to capture the best and boldest looks from among Carnival-goers. There were piercings, brow slits, bleached brows, grillz, body gems and Gen Z’s favourite fashion accessory: pimple patches. When it came to the hair, creative natural styles dominated with mohawks, layered braids, afros, rat tails and plenty of bright colours. 

“Notting Hill Carnival has been, and likely will always be, the biggest showcase of Black British culture, fashion and beauty in the UK. Somewhere for us to celebrate our identity, while being able to compare it to our parents, grandparents and others that came before us – a cross-generational celebration of cultures typically lacking authentic representation for the additional 363 days of the year,” Martins Ashton said in 2023 – and it’s held true. See all the looks in the gallery above.