Rock ’n’ Roll Crows – Longton Carnival & Pig Parade
Client: Urban Wilderness CIC

For this project, I was tasked with bringing a flock of rock ’n’ roll-inspired crows to life for the annual Longton Carnival and Pig Parade in Stoke-on-Trent. Collaborating with artist Hannah Walton, we dreamed up six larger-than-life characters—each with their own attitude and sub-genre swagger, from Elvis and Slash to punk rock rebels.

We chose Plastazote as our primary material for its lightweight, waterproof magic, pairing it with wire subframes and a mix of fabrics and textures to create bold, expressive costumes. Each design featured a sculpted body piece and statement headpiece, tailored to capture a unique rock persona.

On parade day, Hannah and I helped dress the performers and couldn’t resist joining the fun ourselves! Watching the crows strut their stuff down the streets was an unforgettable experience—an explosion of feathers, music, and community spirit. I can’t wait to take part again in the future.