Notting Hill Carnival 2026 Street Style

Photographer Ollie Tikare, assisted by Fraser Hanley-Nicholls, documented the street style at the 60th anniversary of Notting Hill Carnival in West London. The event, founded six decades ago by social worker Rhaune Laslett as a smaller local fayre to bring together disparate groups, now draws over two million people from across the capital and the country over the bank holiday weekend.

Tikare, shooting for Dazed, focused on the summer fashion tailored for the carnival. He noted the streets were filled with carnival-affiliated attire, from Jab Jab to Mas costumes and Caribbean nation flags. "For many, it's an opportunity to honour their ancestry and celebrate the vibrancy and colour that glitters throughout much of Afro-Caribbean style," he said.

The Photographer's Perspective

Tikare visited his usual spots, including the Channel One, Gladdy Wax, and Aba Shanti soundsystems. He explored the vibrant spectrum of what Notting Hill Carnival has to offer. "I was drawn to some in more traditional costumes, but it was those doing things with a twist that turned my head most," he says. He specifically mentioned a multi-striped string t-shirt, yellow zebra leggings, retro rude boy hats, twins in matching yellow outfits, a crocheted beanie, and a Jamaica flag worn as a headband.

His observations highlight a key element of carnival style: personalization within a cultural framework. The event provides a canvas for individual expression rooted in shared heritage.

A Spectrum of Summer Attire

The looks captured by Tikare represent a vibrant range of what the carnival offers. Alongside the traditional exports of soca, calypso, reggae, dub, curry goat, and roti, fashion plays a central role. Every year, London's finest hit the streets in summer fashion tailored to the event.

The photography presents how attendees interpret summer fashion for this major cultural event. The garments are chosen for both comfort in the crowd and their ability to contribute to the visual spectacle.

Honoring Ancestry Through Style

Tikare's commentary shows that fashion at the carnival is more than just clothing. It is a form of cultural expression and ancestral homage. The prevalence of Caribbean flags and traditional costume elements directly connects attendees to their heritage.

The glittering vibrancy and colour he describes are hallmarks of Afro-Caribbean style, brought to life on the streets of West London. This sartorial celebration is an integral part of the carnival's identity, now six decades strong. The photographer's work captures the essence of a temporary, sun-drenched community defined by its style.