Five-time National Carnival Commission (NCC) Large Band of the Year, THE LOST TRIBE, has marked a historic cultural milestone with its debut presentations at New York Fashion Week (NYFW).
Showcasing selections from its celebrated 2026 presentation, Island Circus, the creative collective brought the movement, narrative depth, and craftsmanship of Trinidad Carnival to the heart of the international fashion capital across two contrasting events. The landmark showcase was made possible through partnerships with Caribbean cultural conveners committed to platforming regional talent on global stages.
The engagement opened on Wednesday, September 10, in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, presented by the Caribbean Fashion Collective. In an open-air showcase that saw cobblestone streets closed to traffic, the presentation brought contemporary mas directly into one of New York’s premier luxury fashion corridors. Moving along the pavement between designer storefronts and outdoor cafes, the kinetic garments introduced high-fashion editors, stylists, and unsuspecting onlookers to the visual power and construction of Trinidadian design.
On Saturday, September 13, the showcase moved to Brooklyn for the Wi Style presentation at The Arches BK, co-presented by Carib Biz Network and Rum & Music. Shifting from an editorial showcase to an intimate celebration of community and enterprise, the event featured runway presentations alongside an exclusive pop-up shop and a fireside conversation led by THE LOST TRIBE Band Leader Valmiki Maharaj and designer Shari Winchester.
Reflecting on the experience, Maharaj described the journey from childhood aspirations to NYFW as deeply surreal and emotionally resonant:
“As a child, you sketch in your notebooks and copybooks, dreaming about getting to somewhere like Fashion Week,” said Maharaj. “I remember participating in Caribbean Fashion Week at the Hyatt in Port of Spain when I first started my career in Carnival, so standing in New York has really been a full-circle moment. When we were walking down the cobblestones in the Meatpacking District, surrounded by designer stores and dinner crowds, seeing our work loved and appreciated in that space was incredible. I didn’t feel like I was walking with LOST TRIBE alone – I felt like I was walking with the whole culture
on my back.”
Maharaj placed special emphasis on the dedication of the host organisations who built the platforms that made the band’s NYFW presence possible:
“I am so deeply grateful to the teams at Caribbean Fashion Collective, Carib Biz Network, and Rum & Music,” Maharaj noted. “They work exceptionally hard on the ground to build viable, high-visibility platforms where Caribbean creatives and emerging businesses can connect, collaborate, and thrive. The gravitas, warmth, and care with which they welcomed us was extraordinary. Then to stand in Brooklyn and see our community – people who have flown to Trinidad for years to play mas with us, and second-generation Trinidadians who follow us from afar – was unforgettable. For all these years, they came to us. To finally bring our work directly to them in their space, to see them wearing pieces of past costumes, and to share that pride together is something I will hold onto for a long time.”
Looking ahead, Maharaj confirmed plans to expand the band’s educational initiative, Carnival Campus, into the North American market:
“The hunger for our design theory and cultural history up here is real,” added Maharaj. “We are actively exploring ways to bring Carnival Campus to New York, working alongside educational institutions and partners like Carib Biz Network to see how we can build hybrid programmes – combining digital design modules with in-person masterclasses here in the city.”
The NYFW showcases featured costume designs developed collaboratively by THE LOST TRIBE’s full roster of designers. The dual presentations underscored THE LOST TRIBE’s evolving mission: elevating Carnival arts into a sustainable, globally recognised design discipline.”