This cherished headpiece has been one of the many artifacts kept in the collection of Cherryldine Buckley over the years and conveys the craft, care, and beauty that is put into the elaboration of carnival costumes. A participant in carnival since her childhood, Cherryldine has nowadays become known for her skill in creating and guiding the costume making process in Aruba. Throughout the years she joined many local groups and participated in many sections with a variety of themes. Her interest in carnival has led her to visit numerous international carnivals such as in Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Sint Maarten, Curacao, and Europe learning new information on each visit. She beliefs that the Aruban carnival is incredibly special and distinct in the way it has developed in recent years with an emphasis on the aspect of fantasy and transformation of the subject and themes. In her view, the best costumes are those that make you think in order to figure out how certain themes have been transformed with the creativity of the participants.

“Since I can remember, I have been a participant in carnival”

This headpiece was part of her participation with the Champagne carnival group with the main theme of Eden. The emphasis was not on recreating a literal recognizable flora but to use the imagination and creativity to express the fantasy, delicacy, and beauty that this mythical place evokes. In her view, one must be creative in two ways, on the one hand be true to the sketch design and theme of the section, and then translate and adapt with your own creativity and skill. Carnival in Aruba is a celebration of community, cultural diversity and forms a renewal of life and public space with its brilliance, revelry, and euphoria.