particularly influenced by african traditions, the fantasias are often designed to utilize natural objects to create images and masks based on an idea of spiritual virtue - the most iconic, luxurious, and extravagant costumes of carnival are those used in the official carnival parades.

these costumes are designed to reflect the theme of the school that they represent with colors and elaborations that are chosen, whilst costing anywhere between 900 up to 10,000 U. s. dollars each - this does not include factering in the costume for the flag bearer, which can cost up to 50,000 U. s. dollars.

in these events, particularly important aspects of the costumes are the feathers that are incorporated into their designs, which are usually reserved exclusively for the passistasand the queens of the parades.