PRIOR to the pandemic, Mark Roy Junor would be one of the revellers traversing the ‘Mash’ routes, but with the damper that was placed on all activities related to Mashramani – in fact, the cancellation of Mash Day activities over the past two years, and this year also, Mark couldn’t help but be affected.

Imagine his relief when fellow costume designer Olympia Small-Sonaram came up with an idea to still do something in celebration of ‘Mash.’

“Olympia Small is the one who came up with the idea. ‘Mash’ is our thing; it’s part of the Guyanese culture,” he explained. “The idea is to form a group to do something for Mash, being that we have not heard anything about costuming or parades; nothing for designers to do. She reached out to others and everyone pitched in.”

The group, Guyana Mashramani Costume Designers, will continue to exist even after the pandemic, Mark offered. “The plan is to create costumes for ‘Mash.’ We need to do something to show that Mash still lives, so all the designers will bring materials; old costumes…We should be on the road showcasing ‘Mash’ costumes.”

Speaking with this publication, Small-Sonaram offered that the main goal was to get approval from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to do ‘Mash Night.’ “This was not for the costume parade; just to display floats, whether virtual or in person. That didn’t happen. Minister was busy in Parliament, so we didn’t get to meet with him,” she said.

So she decided that she will put together a camp where designers could bring together materials they have, along with old costumes and revamped ones. “I decided I will put together a band to show persons that the designers are still here and to get the attention of the ministry to have them involve designers more,” Small-Sonaram offered.

“We find there are a lot of things going on but the designers are not being included. Because of COVID, the designers have suffered a great loss. It’s really hard on us because there is nothing happening that includes us,” she further mentioned.

The group will be using a location for the display on Brickdam, opposite popular designer Maxi Williams. “People can come and see the costumes. It’s a showcase to let people know we’re still thinking about ‘Mash,’ and we’re keeping ‘Mash’ alive, regardless of what’s going on with the pandemic,” Small-Sonaram said.

Collaborating with other Creatives
Meanwhile, Mark, owner of Kramronuj Designs and Beat by Mark, described himself as very artistic and free-spirited. He prides himself in being not only a costume designer but a model, coach, dancer, and make-up artist. “When it comes to the arts, you name it, I do it.”

Fashion for Mark is his freedom of expression. “It gives me the opportunity to express myself in many ways. When I started designing, I catered mainly for plus-size persons, because I was a chubby kid growing up and never really saw a lot of emphasis being put into plus-size clothing. This is one of the reasons I went full-blown ahead with fashion because I loved it and it gave me the opportunity to create for persons like myself,” he shared.

With money not flowing, though, he said the most designers can do now is to collaborate with other creatives. “I would do so with models, designers, photographers. We just want hope that things will go back to normal.”

Before the pandemic, Mark helped to make costumes for a few years with Burrowes School of Arts. “I did my own front line band for Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport two years ago; I provided costumes for schools; dancers in the competitions for Mash. I also did a full band for the National School that includes floats and costumes for the road.”

Mark acknowledged that the pandemic has not only affected his work, but the entire nation. “Without people doing anything for ‘Mash,’ there’s no money flowing, so it’s really tough for persons to survive unless you have another means of income. Makeup helps me now and I dabble in other fine arts which help cushion the impacts of the pandemic.”