August 22, 2025 |
For 32-year-old Sharkkini founder Chakkana Pryce, Notting Hill Carnival isn’t just a weekend plan – it’s a pilgrimage. A celebration of identity, movement, music and memory, and a living, breathing ode to the generations that came before.
“I’m from Bradford so my first carnival memories are going to Leeds carnival which is on the same weekend as Notting Hill Carnival,” she tells us. “I’d always hear stories about how amazing NHC was, so when I moved down to London and went for the first time it felt like such a moment. Experiencing something I’d heard so many stories about. It lived up to all the expectations.”
Now based in London, Sharkkini has become known for streetwear that doesn’t water itself down for palatability. It’s sexy, nostalgic, irreverent – and rooted in real culture. “Sharkkini is a streetwear brand from a woman’s perspective,” she explains. “I draw a lot of inspiration from the energy of ‘90s streetwear and the fashion lifestyle brands of the early Aughts. I want everything to have a feminine touch, from the way it feels on the body to the shapes and silhouettes. A blend of playful and practical, sexy and effortless pieces!”
Sharkkini x Puma
Her annual T-shirt drops for Carnival – now in their third year – have quietly become cult. “Initially I was creating something for me and my friends to wear,” she says. “I love how it’s progressed to now even having an exclusive colourway with Puma.” A major milestone for Sharkkini, that special Puma collaboration marks her first official brand partnership tied to Carni. “It’s sort of turned into a tradition now,” she adds. The collab sees Sharkkini’s signature string vest graphic reimagined through Puma’s lens, resulting in bold, limited-edition pieces that blend sport and street with Caribbean flair – a celebration of heritage and high-impact design rooted in real community, not just hype. “String vests are such a recognisable staple in Jamaican and Caribbean culture. I wanted to figure out a way to make it more wearable for everyone. I worked with my friend Manu Pillai on the design, I played with the shape of one of my old string vests then we photographed it. Manu made it come to life and look more graphic and beautiful.”
Beyond the aesthetic, there’s a deeper purpose. In a political climate thick with hostility toward immigrant communities, her work becomes a kind of wearable resistance. “It shows the power of community and how diverse London is,” she says. “It’s amazing to see everyone come together in this way. When you’re there it’s quite surreal as you really feel the collective energy of togetherness which leaves a lasting impression on you.”
Exclusive 2023 Carni Tees
And it’s that feeling – of unity, heritage and resilience – that powers her creativity. “I want to give the younger generation a way to wear their culture with pride, something that feels powerful in a world where immigrant stories are often overlooked,” she says. “The design’s very bold and authentic, carrying forward the spirit of those who came before us, and to hopefully inspire the next generation to do the same.”
So what’s she most looking forward to this year? “The energy it brings. Being around my friends and most of all dancing!”
And that, really, is the point. Celebrating culture. Holding your people close. Dancing like your ancestors are watching. And wearing the Sharkkini T-shirt while you do it.
Notting Hill Carnival is on from August 24-25. Find out more here and purchase your Sharkkini tee here.
Photography courtesy of Sharkkini.
Sharkkini Summer 2025
