What goes into costume preparations for New York Carnival Parade

EAST FLATBUSH, Brooklyn (WABC) — Inside Sesame Flyers, a tiny storefront in East Flatbush, Caribbean sounds lead you to an explosion of creativity, down to every last feather.

Vibrant costumes burst at the seams with culture and pride, but before the masqueraders wear it on the parade route, the laborious design process starts in the storefront on mannequins.

“Every piece here is done by hand,” says Tracey Clarke.

Clarke is the head costume designer — she started her journey in Jamaica and is now in charge of many of the elaborate costumes in what is considered the nation’s largest Caribbean cultural festival.

“It means everything. Especially when I’m on the big truck and I look over and I’m seeing all these pieces and everyone having a good time, the pictures – everything is just – it gives me life,” Clarke says

In the production workshop, employees are hard at work putting the finishing touches on costumes for Monday. It is a lot of hard work, but it is a labor of love that comes with a lot of passion.

Clarke says she always feels great when she sees the finished product.

“I feel great, and I know the people on the road will feel great too,” she added.

Her dazzling, homemade pieces are crafted with a high level of detail to bring the beauty out of anyone.

Clarke is so busy putting together the glamorous pieces that sometimes she forgets how to relax.

“It’s so hard to breathe, it’s so hard to breathe. But at times I do,” she says.

She never stops feeling grateful for the opportunity to craft for her culture and see it come to life at the New York Carnival Parade.

“When you love what you do it’s like a piece of candy,” says Clarke.

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