Karnival by Kandi rebrands
King transforms concierge into ultimate e-commerce ‘karnival’ hub
Published:Sunday | March 31, 2024 | 12:08 AM
Kandi King is a force to be reckoned with in the vibrant world of Caribbean carnival. More than just a businesswoman, King has proven herself to be a passionate entrepreneur who has transformed her love for carnival into a thriving business, Karnival by Kandi. That’s right, carnival, but with a ‘K’! Once a carnival concierge service, the brand was recently relaunched as the ultimate e-commerce carnival hub – karnivalbykandi.com – just in time for Carnival in Jamaica Carnival. King’s journey, however, began not in the boardroom, but on the road itself, as a masquerader with a keen eye for detail and a desire to make the experience better for everyone.
Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, King’s connection to carnival was sparked at a young age. Witnessing her parents’ enjoyment of the festivities instilled a deep love for the tradition. As soon as she was of age, King excitedly joined the ranks as a masquerader, her passion only intensifying with each mas experience. Her desire to explore the wider Caribbean carnival scene led her to Trinidad, the birthplace of the modern celebration. This trip proved to be a pivotal moment in King’s ‘karnival’ story.
King’s initial foray into the business side of carnival came in the form of a concierge service. Recognising the challenges faced by regional and international carnival enthusiasts, she offered assistance with securing tickets, costumes, accommodation, and transportation. This successful venture provided valuable experience, established a wide network and fostered a deep understanding of the industry’s needs, from both the business and the masquerader’s points of view. “Having visited Trinidad for carnival and seeing firsthand how painful it was to navigate the planning and coordination as a visitor, that’s what sparked the idea. I did this for several years and it really was quite successful, but when I thought of the stocKINGS, my whole life changed,” she told The Sunday Gleaner.
A 2019 conversation with a friend during a post-carnival catch-up ignited a new spark in the entrepreneurial ‘kween’. Frustrated by the unsightly stocking bands that peeked out from under the elaborate costumes, King envisioned a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing solution. “The photos coming out that year all had the girls in their stockings, but the unsightly stocking band just could not be hidden no matter how hard they tried. I thought about it and asked my friend why the stockings couldn’t be shaped like the carnival panties – in a ‘V’ shape … and so it began!” This simple yet ingenious idea gave birth to the signature product of Karnival by Kandi – the V-Kut StocKING.
The V-Kut StocKING revolutionised the Carnival experience for women across the region and internationally. “It solves a common problem for the modern masquerader. Costumes, Mondaywear and fete-wear these days are all V-cut or feature intricate cutouts and designs that would be obstructed by the unsightly traditional stocking band. Not only are my stockings designed with a V-shape in the back and the front, but all include several features that cater to other masquerader needs. At the end of the day, this is my ‘why’. Developing products for my fellow carnival lovers to help them look and feel their best.” These additional features include a ‘Klose Knit’ option featuring slight compression for added support and seamless coverage and an ‘Original Knit’ option with subtle glitter for that added glam and a range of shades to fit every skin tone, lined crotch patch to prevent any pinching or irritation to sensitive areas, thin waist-band to fit neatly beneath your costume for that invisible look, coloured options including black, pink and neon orange for that extra edge, seamless toe pad design for increased comfort and durable material with great stretch to counteract snagging or tearing.
King wasted no time, patenting her first-of-its-kind V-Kut design and all subsequent product designs as she worked to continue to revolutionise the modern carnival accessory space. Since 2019, she has added two new products to her original carnival accessories line-up – Knipsies (nipple covers designed for the unique bra styles of carnival costumes) and P-Kut StocKINGS (designed with a button flap so that ladies can use the bathroom comfortably without having to remove their cumbersome costumes and accessories). King is looking to continue expanding the offering, creating bespoke carnival accessories designed with masqueraders’ unique needs in mind, and focused on comfort, functionality, quality, convenience and style. All will be available on her newly rebranded e-commerce site – karnivalbykandi.com – catering to masqueraders and festival lovers alike, with worldwide shipping available!
King’s dedication has paid off in spades. Seeing celebrities like Nicki Minaj and Lala Anthony sporting her stockings were definitely career highlights, but for King, the true reward comes from the everyday masqueraders. A genuine “thank you” from a woman who can now enjoy carnival with greater comfort is the ultimate validation of her vision.
When asked about the impact she hopes to make on the industry, she replied, “The impact for me is in the innovation. I would like to keep pushing myself and this brand to continue to break new ground and redefine industry standards. Innovation, for me, is not just about creating something new; it’s about solving problems, meeting unmet needs, and constantly evolving to stay ahead of the curve.”
King’s story is a testament to the transformative power of passion and innovation. From a masquerader with a keen eye, to a leader shaping the future of carnival experiences. With her unwavering dedication and a commitment to the masquerader’s comfort, she is poised to reign supreme in the world of Caribbean carnival.
With Carnival in Jamaica right around the corner, King is going full steam ahead! In addition to shopping via the new website, her stocKINGS, Knipsies and all other products are now available locally at Locale Jamaica, and will be available at pop-up locations at both Gen Xs and Xodus costume distribution centres.