As Britain’s foremost celebration of Caribbean culture, each summer Notting Hill Carnival brings us vibey music, great food, electric energy, and a whole lot of looks. This year, photographer El Hogg headed down to Ladbroke Grove and its surrounding areas to capture those looks, and, just like last year, things didn’t disappoint.
As always, the Mas costumes in the actual parade were on hand to inject some classic carnival flair. Intricate, diamantéd bodysuits were paired with huge pastel feathers and multi-coloured crystals. Embellished, nude leotards and more feathers of ostrich variety also cropped up across the weekend, as did snakeskin bodices and kaleidoscopic headpieces. Elsewhere in the carnival, those celebrating the Grenadine tradition of Jab Jab came slathered in black oil with horn helmets and black chains, while a pan player from the Mangrove Steelband repped Jamaica with a black, green and gold flag tied around his neck.
Outside of the parade, the approach to street style was a lot more casual, but just as eye-catching. Leopard print bikinis and burgundy braids came next to denim cutoffs and leather biker boots. London’s cool kids were out in their baggy jorts, vintage 00s accessories and blokecore football tops, while others went full sportswear, or wrapped themselves in the flag of the Caribbean island they were proudly repping.
To see all of the best looks from this year’s Carnival, scroll through the gallery above.