Barking and Dagenham Carnival 2026 Costume Mentoring Programme Reaches Exciting New Stage

On June 18, participants in the Barking and Dagenham Carnival 2026 Costume Mentoring Programme have reached an exciting new milestone as they begin the decoration phase of their carnival costume creations.

Over recent weeks, our talented emerging artists have been developing their skills and knowledge through a structured creative process designed to introduce participants to the art of carnival costume design and construction. Working alongside experienced mentors, participants have progressed from initial ideas and concept development through to detailed design work, template creation and pattern making.

Building on these foundations, participants have carefully transferred their designs onto fabric, cut and prepared individual costume components and attached these to backing materials to create strong and durable costume structures. This stage of the process has provided valuable opportunities to develop practical making skills, attention to detail and an understanding of the technical requirements involved in creating large scale carnival costumes.

With the structural elements now taking shape, participants have begun the decoration phase of the project. This exciting stage allows artists to explore colour, texture and decorative techniques while adding personality and creative expression to their designs. Inspired by this year’s Birds of Paradise theme, participants are drawing on vibrant colours, natural forms and imaginative interpretations to create costumes that celebrate creativity, culture and individuality.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the programme continues to be the strong sense of community that has developed amongst participants. Throughout each session, individuals have supported one another by sharing ideas, exchanging skills and offering encouragement. This collaborative approach has created a positive learning environment where participants are developing not only as artists but also as mentors, team members and creative leaders.

The programme has also provided opportunities for participants to build confidence, improve communication skills and develop problem solving abilities through practical creative activity. As their projects continue to evolve, participants are demonstrating increasing independence, resilience and pride in their achievements.

Alongside the costume mentoring activities, our young creatives have continued to make an outstanding contribution to the programme through a range of carnival inspired arts and crafts activities. Their enthusiasm, imagination and creativity have brought tremendous energy to each session. It has been wonderful to see young people experimenting with new ideas, expressing themselves through art and developing confidence in their creative abilities. The quality of work produced and the commitment shown by our young participants has been truly remarkable.

As preparations continue for Barking and Dagenham Carnival 2026, we are excited to see the costumes develop further over the coming weeks and look forward to showcasing the creativity, dedication and talent of our participants during this year’s celebration.

UKON would like to thank the team at Barking Learning Centre for their continued support and for providing a welcoming and inspiring environment in which participants can learn, create and thrive.

This project is supported by The National Lottery through Arts Council England.