A Louisiana native, Caroline Thomas grew up with New Orleans Mardi Gras as an essential annual tradition. While pursuing a degree in fine art painting from the Art Academy of Cincinnati, she became increasingly interested in the roots and craft of Carnival. In 2008, as a graduating senior, she received the Stephen H. Wilder Traveling Scholarship, with which she was able to visit Trinidad for Carnival, a locale with a worldwide reputation for some of the finest costume craft. Her time there developed into a deep love for the art of the headdress, which she continues to expand upon in bigger and more opulent formations. She currently sells her work through Fifi Mahony's, Miette, Cake Cafe, and the New Orleans Costume Center. She started painting floats in 2008 for the Hermes parade, and after a three year hiatus, returned to the industry, working through the float production company Royal Artists Inc. She currently works designs floats for the Krewe of Proteus and the Krewe of Rex, the last two remaining 19th Century parades in the city. She also paints floats and props for a multitude of parades here in New Orleans as well as Mobile, Alabama.