“The spirits come down every time we put it on, especially with me,” says Big Chief Demond. “My elders live through me. And it's an opening of the gates.” Big Chief Demond’s dazzling suit stands more than 10 feet tall and weighs 120 pounds. He uses a U-Haul to move from place to place. On Mardi Gras day, he marches through the backstreets of New Orleans as part of a tradition that dates back to at least the 1800s. #neworleans #mardigras #NOLA #handmade #artistry