Xodus brings sport-inspired style to OlympiX
Published:Thursday | October 2, 2025 | 12:09 AMOâbrian Wynter/Gleaner Writer
The Carnival 2026 season has officially kicked off, and Xodus Carnival was first out the blocks with its OlympiX reveal. Last Friday, the band hosted its highly anticipated virtual launch, unveiling six standout costumes inspired by sports – from football to track and field – that thrilled viewers and revellers alike.
Speaking with The Gleaner following the reveal, Xodus Carnival CEO Pierre Goubault shared the inspiration behind the theme, and the plans the band has this season.
“This theme is something we’ve been playing around with for years,” Goubault revealed, adding, “Finally, with the World Cup happening in 2026, we felt this was the perfect year to merge both carnival and sports.” The result? Costumes that are eye-catching, blending athletic inspiration with carnival flair.
In true Xodus fashion, the team opted to showcase the costumes in a cinematic mini-movie for the virtual launch, a digital format they first explored last year. “The level of production we dedicate to our photo shoots and video productions, made it a natural move for us to make a ‘mini movie’ to present our costume selection. Social media and digital representation are the way forward, and our consumers love how we continue to raise the bar,” Goubault explained.
For Xodus, although six designs were showcased during the virtual launch, the band will present ten in total this season. The six displayed pieces were created by a talented in-house Jamaican team, while the remaining four surprise designs come from international partners in Toronto, Trinidad, Tobago, and Miami.
All designs have struck a balance of fashion, functionality, and inclusivity, offering options to suit all body types, skin tones, and comfort levels.
“Our design process happens over months of critiques, stress tests and alterations to ensure our patrons have a comfortable, fashionable and affordable experience with the best materials available in the market. Our masqueraders will not only look incredible but feel comfortable on the road,” Goubault shared adding, “Our local design team has really shown their growth and have surpassed any international scale in the design realm. Hats off to them, and we can’t wait to see what they deliver going forward.”
For Xodus, the magic goes beyond the costumes. From distribution to lead up events, and the grand road march, every detail has been fine-tuned. “We truly believe that we finally have Carnival figured out!” Goubault declared. “Costume designs are flawless, virtual launch was breathtaking, our events are original and road march will be amazing. And, of course, we’ll continue to deliver the best DJs and artistes from across the region.”
Goubault also teased some upcoming surprises in store: “We have some old tricks and some new tricks in store. More unique events, more international talent, and more experiences for our Xodus family. If I told you everything, it wouldn’t be a surprise!”
Looking ahead, he sees nothing but growth for Carnival in Jamaica. “Jamaica carnival is on an upward trajectory and is now a force to be reckoned with in any carnival space; Xodus has been doing its part to ensure we market our products on an international level, and have a standard to match or beat any carnival worldwide,” Goubault said.