It’s very important that we all have our story. But actually together we create a really beautiful story. So it’s not about being a single thread. It’s about being, you know, the bigger picture, which is all of us.

For carnival designer Emma, this year’s Northampton Carnival theme — Unity in Masquerade: Different Voices, One Parade — is is about storytelling, visibility and bringing communities together through creativity.

Emma’s been involved with the Northampton Carnival for around 20 years. She now plays an advisory role supporting groups as they prepare for the parade. Each week she runs open workshops at the Umbrella Fair, where schools, dance groups and community organisations can come for creative support, inspiration and practical help building costumes and floats.

“Usually I just have loads of materials and things there ready for whoever turns up,” she says. “Groups can come along and get ideas or support if they want to make something for their float or costumes.”

Over the years Emma has worked on carnivals across the country, particularly in London boroughs, collecting costumes, materials and ideas along the way. While she has often assembled troupes for Northampton using costumes from previous projects, last year marked the first time she created an entirely original troupe specifically for Northampton Carnival, thanks to Arts Council funding.

Designing a Shared Identity

Emma is also bringing together her troupe, Inspiration Arts, for this year’s parade.

Interpreting this year’s Carnival theme, Unity in Masquerade; different voices, one parade, began with thinking deeply about the idea of stories.

“We’ve all got so many stories,” she explains. “Stories about our culture, religion, preferences, hobbies — what’s important to us.”

I hope that by people sharing their stories it creates greater understanding. We need that. We need to embrace each other’s differences.

Because her troupe is made up of people from many different backgrounds and cultures, she wanted to avoid representing only one identity or tradition.

“We’re all very mixed. We’re very diverse,” she says. “So I started looking at how we translate all our stories into a design that works for all of us.”

One of the ways the troupe has explored that idea is through handmade print blocks. Participants have created symbolic images — “a bit like emojis,” Emma explains — representing things that matter personally to them. These individual symbols will then be combined into repeating patterns across the costumes.

“We’re creating almost like a tribal pattern with all our stories,” she says.

The costumes themselves will become moving storybooks. Alongside the symbolic prints, the troupe is creating positive messages and inspirational words to wear during the parade.

“So often the stories around us are sad,” Emma says. “There’s so much horrible stuff going on in the world — wars, fighting, people not respecting each other’s cultures. But actually we can write our own stories.”

That idea of reclaiming the narrative has become central to the troupe’s design.

I want people to think about what story they would like to write for their future. Stories about positivity, freedom, equality and change. We can write our own stories  – we don’t have to go with with a given narrative. I wanted to look at writing inspirational stories.

Many of the costumes are being created using recycled and donated materials, something Emma is passionate about. One section of the troupe features elaborate mandala-inspired hoop skirts made using pages from old donated books and vintage Northampton history magazines.

“We painted the pages, cut out patterns and started layering them onto the skirts,” she explains.

The finished designs are intended to represent a tapestry of shared experiences and interconnected lives.

It’s kind of like a mandala of stories. We’re all individual threads, but together we create this beautiful tapestry of stories woven together.

Traveller Community

Alongside her own troupe, Emma has also been working with members of the traveller community on a carnival float inspired by a traditional gypsy wagon. Participants have painted decorative patterns, built oversized carnival wagon wheels and created theatrical campfire scenes for the display.

For Emma, the project is about visibility and challenging prejudice.

“It’s a way for people to see who these people are and recognise that they are people,” she says. “The traveller community experiences a lot of racism and stigma.”

She reflects on how travelling communities have increasingly been marginalised over the years.

“Their way of life has almost become illegal,” she says. “Years ago there was common land where people could stop and park, but now everywhere has become private and owned. It feels like a whole culture is being written out.”

The group will hand out handmade flowers during the parade — small gestures of connection and welcome.

“You can’t just erase a culture,” Emma says. “People have a right to exist and tell their stories.”

That spirit of inclusion sits at the heart of this year’s carnival theme. Through workshops, collaborative design and shared creativity, Emma believes carnival can become a powerful way of building understanding between communities.

I hope that by people sharing their stories it creates greater understanding. We need that. We need to embrace each other’s differences.

As Northampton Carnival fills the streets with colour, music and movement, Emma hopes the costumes and floats will remind people that while every individual story matters, the real beauty comes from bringing them together.

Unlike theatre productions or ticketed events, Emma believes carnival belongs to everyone.

“You might just happen to walk down the street and suddenly there’s these giant kings and creatures coming towards you,” she says. “Anyone can experience it.”

For Emma, carnival is one of the most powerful forms of public storytelling.

“Often the costumes reflect people’s cultures or what’s important to them,” she explains. “We can say quite a lot through costumes. We can create really meaningful moments for people.”

That philosophy sits at the heart of this year’s Northampton Carnival theme. Through workshops, collaborative design and shared creativity, Emma hopes communities can celebrate both their individuality and their connections.

“It’s not about being a single thread,” she says. “It’s about being part of the bigger picture — all of us together.”

Emma’s Story

Emma’s journey into carnival arts began unexpectedly while studying fashion at university.

“It was quite by accident really,” she says. “I was at uni studying fashion and in your final year you can base your project on anything you want. I’d always wanted to go to Notting Hill Carnival, but I didn’t know anything about the background or the costumes or even why there was a carnival. I just wanted to go.”

What started as youthful curiosity quickly became a lifelong career. Emma volunteered one summer with Mahogany Carnival Arts, one of the UK’s most celebrated carnival groups based in northwest London.

“They create these huge Trinidadian-style costumes — really big structures and characters,” she explains. “Not the little decorative carnival outfits people might imagine, but giant puppets almost. Kinetic sculptures.”

Helna’s Story

Helna Merin Joseph is an Indian contemporary artist based in England. She has recently been heavily involved with Inspiration Art’s carnival creative workshops.

She is renowned for her work in sculpture and painting. Born in 1996 in Changanacherry, Kerala, India, she embarked on her artistic journey by pursuing a higher education in fine arts sculpture.

She completed her master’s degree with a gold medal from the Sarojini Naidu School of Art and Communication at the University of Hyderabad in 2020 and previously secured the first rank in her bachelor’s from the Kerala University, Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts.

Moving to the UK Since relocating to the UK, Helna has broadened her artistic practice to include painting, drawing and wood carving. Since moving to Northampton she has created many pieces related to shoes.

“I feel I’m in the right place,” she says, “because Northampton is famous for its shoes.”

She also works with schools and community groups. Helna describes her practice as multi-media and enjoys working across videography, photography, sculpture, and painting. Helna will be our featured artist next month, so stay tuned to discover more of her innovative work.

What does she enjoy about creating art for the Nothampton carnival?

“I think it’s the freedom and joy that carnival creates,” she says. “It’s on the street, so it’s free. Everyone can see it.”

Northampton Carnival is taking place on Saturday June 16th, starting at the Racecourse Park on Kettering Road.For all event details visit: https://northamptoncarnival.co.uk/carnival/