Ollie Tikare Captures Notting Hill Carnival

Photographer Ollie Tikare captured the street style at the 60th anniversary of London's Notting Hill Carnival over the August bank holiday weekend in 2026. The event, founded six decades ago by social worker Rhaune Laslett as a local fayre to bring together disparate groups, now draws over two million people from across the capital and the country to West London.

Alongside the traditional exports of soca, calypso, reggae, dub, curry goat and roti, fashion is a central pillar of the celebration. Tikare, shooting for Dazed, noted that the streets were filled with carnival-affiliated attire from Jab Jab to Mas, as well as 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 soundsystems Channel One, Gladdy Wax, and Aba Shanti, to explore the vibrant spectrum of what the carnival offers. He was drawn to both traditional costumes and more inventive looks. "I was drawn to some in more traditional costumes, but it was those doing things with a twist that turned my head most," the photographer explained. He specifically highlighted 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.

Standout Style Details

The report from Dazed identifies several key items that defined the carnival's visual energy. These pieces shows a mix of bold color, heritage symbolism, and playful customization.

Technique and Tone

The makeup and styling observed work in concert with the vibrant clothing. The looks are built for a sun-drenched, high-energy environment. They prioritize bold statements and cultural resonance over subtlety. The technique involves using color and pattern to create a cohesive, celebratory look that honours ancestry. The shade system is inherently linked to the flags and traditional costumes of the Caribbean, with bright yellows, greens, and blacks featuring prominently.

Tikare's photographs ultimately document a style that is both deeply personal and collectively exuberant. The festival provides a canvas for individual expression rooted in a shared cultural history. The final gallery shows all these best looks from the weekend.