September 1, 2025
In a aggressive carnival panorama, the place bands typically vie for essentially the most industrial enchantment, Telesford’s enterprise mannequin stands aside.
Within the vibrant, rhythmic chaos of Grenada’s Spicemas, the place elaborate costumes and booming soca music fill the streets, a quiet revolution is underway. The competition pays tribute to the Caribbean nation’s wealthy historical past as a spice producer, with lots of its cultural traditions deeply intertwined with the island’s identification. Company giants or worldwide sponsors aren’t main the best way; as an alternative, it’s a younger, decided Grenadian girl with a easy philosophy: tradition over commerce.
Ebony Telesford, the founder and chief of Grenada’s Lavish The Band, has constructed her enterprise not on the promise of immense revenue, however on the love for her nation’s most treasured cultural expression.
In a aggressive carnival panorama, the place bands typically vie for essentially the most industrial enchantment, Telesford’s enterprise mannequin stands aside.
“The aim behind it has simply all the time been concerning the love for tradition,” she stated in an interview with Black Enterprise. Fairly than chasing a hefty backside line, her focus is on sustainability and accessibility.
“So long as the enterprise breaks even for me, I’m completely okay with that,” she defined. “I see it as my contribution to my tradition itself.”
Telesford’s dedication to a break-even mannequin permits her to maintain a promise that resonates deeply together with her individuals: to maintain her costumes reasonably priced for native revelers, guaranteeing that residents aren’t priced out of their very own traditions.
The cornerstone of Lavish The Band’s identification is its distinctive providing, which Telesford sums up in a single phrase: “experiencing the true essence of Spicemas.”
Whereas many bands promote a single costume for the principle parade, Lavish offers a complete, four-part carnival journey for the value of 1. This inclusive bundle presents masqueraders a go to 4 distinct occasions, a nod to the genuine, full-immersion expertise Telesford cherished in her youth.
“I knew rising up as a Grenadian what it felt like doing a four-piece,” she stated, recalling the marathon of festivities from the daybreak of J’ouvert to the climax of the Parade of the Bands. Lavish takes the guesswork out of the method for international guests whereas delivering an genuine expertise.
The expertise begins with a deeply private tribute: a standard Jab Jab jump-up devoted to her father, who was often known as the “king of jab.”
Lavish’s model of the centuries-old custom makes use of a mix of charcoal and coconut oil as a substitute for the heavy, oil-based paint, guaranteeing a extra genuine and fewer abrasive ritual of freedom and riot.
From there, the journey continues with Monday afternoon’s “pageant,” adopted by the electrical, glow-stick-filled avenue parade of Monday Night time Mas. It culminates within the closing, gem-adorned spectacle of Carnival Tuesday.
Past the front-facing parades and vibrant aesthetics, Telesford’s philosophy extends to her provide chain and inventive course of. She and her staff, together with a lead designer and a inventive supervisor, brainstorm a novel theme annually.
For Lavish The Band’s latest Greek-inspired assortment, Telesford centered not on the gods, however on the Muses of creativity.
On Lavish’s newest assortment, the website says, “The Muses have watched over humanity, guiding the humanities, music and storytelling from their celestial realm. However as time handed, their affect weakened and creativity started to fade, smothered by the calls for of contemporary life and the rise of know-how. Now, with the world dropping its spark, the Muses are summoned yet another–reborn and with a brand new mission: To ignite the hearth of creativeness and remind humanity that the ability of creation is its most divine present.”
“We pull colours, we pull totally different parts, the moods that we’re going for, and we give it to the designers,” she defined to Black Enterprise, giving them “free vary” to create inside that conceptual framework.
Telesford’s dedication to authenticity can also be deeply rooted in her staffing choices. She makes a concerted effort to predominantly rent Grenadian locals, from all the street workers to the engineers and, most critically, the DJs.
“I predominantly rent locals,” she affirmed. “I really feel like in case you’re coming into Grenada to expertise Grenada Carnival, you’re not coming to take heed to Trinidadian DJs or American DJs. You wish to hear what’s occurring in Grenada.”
Regardless of her success, the journey will not be with out its challenges. Telesford sees her greatest rising impediment as being a feminine entrepreneur in an trade that, whereas catering to a female-dominated buyer base, remains to be led nearly solely by males.
“I feel I’m certainly one of two in Grenada with all of the bands that they’ve,” she famous, highlighting the single-digit variety of feminine band leaders throughout all the Caribbean.
Telesford shared a heartfelt message on Lavish The Band’s official Instagram account. Thanking revelers and supporters for sticking with the corporate.
“As we wrap up an unimaginable Spicemas season, we wish to categorical our heartfelt gratitude for bringing your enthusiasm, spirit, and optimistic vibes to ‘Muses.’ Your ongoing assist means the world to us! An enormous shoutout goes to our sponsors, companions, associates, and distributors. Your invaluable contributions have made Lavish the Band shine even brighter. A particular thanks goes to our extraordinary staff! Thanks on your onerous work and dedication 12 months after 12 months.
“To our superb masqueraders, you’re the coronary heart of Lavish the Band, and we thanks for selecting us as your band for Spicemas 2025. Our preparations for the following season are already in full swing, and we eagerly anticipate bringing you the True Essence of Spicemas as soon as once more in 2026. 1 LAVISH,” the band’s Instagram captioned.
As she continues to innovate and adapt to an ever-changing Carnival scene, the truth stays a poignant pressure in her work, driving her to succeed not only for herself, however for her tradition and for different girls who might someday observe in her footsteps.
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