MOBILE CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION
Queen Cooper Knowles Leland
By Caroline Edmondson Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com
Hair Jason Chambers & Felisha Allen, Headdress Salon, 251.689.7427.
Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com & Jessica Price, Primp Lash & Beauty, 251.285.3000.
Cooper Leland is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mikell Leland Jr., and was selected to serve as the 2023 Mobile Carnival Association (MCA) Queen; an honor Cooper says means the world to her. “Representing the Carnival Association as Queen is important to me because I love the city of Mobile and its rich history,” shares Cooper. “I happen to belong to a family that loves Mardi Gras and parades. I have always been amazed at the creative side of Mardi Gras—the float builders, the parade theme creators, and the costume designers. I am excited to work with some of the best this Carnival season!”
Cooper’s Mardi Gras lineage began with her great-grandmother in 1936 when she served as a Lady in Waiting for the MCA Court. Cooper’s grandfather, David J. Cooper, reigned as King Felix III in 1971, while her aunt, Margaret Cooper Biggs, was crowned Queen in 1998, followed by her uncle, David J. Cooper Jr., who was King in 2004. Cousins, Louise McClure Prichard and Anna McClure Middleton, were also MCA Queens. Both of Cooper’s parents served in the 1990 MCA Court; her mother was First Lady in Waiting and her father served as her Knight. Additionally, Cooper’s brother and sister, Thomas Mikell Leland III and Mary Stadther Leland, served as Juvenile King and Queen.
Growing up, Cooper and her family always loved celebrating the Carnival season together. Cooper’s mother, Ashleigh Leland, recalls her favorite childhood Mardi Gras memory of Cooper: “Cooper always loved the Ashland Place parade when she was little,” Ashleigh remembers. “Her dad would build her float in the garage. It was always an exciting event to look forward to!”
Because Mardi Gras has always been a family affair, it was Cooper’s siblings who broke the news of her selection. “They brought me a crown and put it on my head while we were spending the afternoon with my grandparents,” recalls Cooper. “I was very surprised and excited—their excitement made it that much more fun!”
With the exciting news shared, planning quickly went underway. From wardrobe and regalia to Queen’s Luncheon and scroll parties, Cooper and her mother quickly got to work. For her Royal Regalia, Cooper and her mother turned to Homer McClure to bring their vision to life. For her train, they chose a forest green velvet topped with turquoise blue, reminiscent of the waters of the Mediterranean. Cooper’s train is finished with a baroque border of gilded flowers, and hummingbird encrusted initials at the top of her train. Cooper’s dress is a ReemAcra gown overlaid with flowers and vines, which she purchased in New York during a special trip with her grandparents. Of the design process Cooper says, “I have always loved fashion, so brainstorming ideas and designing with the help of my mother was my favorite part!” As for the rest of her Royal wardrobe, Cooper turned to some local favorites: Debra’s, the Holiday, and The Mix.
One of the most coveted events during the Mardi Gras season is the Queen’s Luncheon, a time where the Ladies of the Court come together to celebrate their Queen with female friends and family. The Queen and her family uniquely design each Queen’s Luncheon, reflecting their individual personality and taste. Cooper came up with her idea for her luncheon thanks to two hummingbird paintings in her family’s dining room. “They were painted by my great-grandfather who was a Forester in South Carolina,” she explains. “Hummingbirds have always been a favorite of mine so I wanted to incorporate them into my theme. Stephanie Easterling of Wildflowers is helping me with the vision. I know she will completely blow everyone away with the end result!”
““I HAPPEN TO BELONG TO A FAMILY THAT LOVES MARDI GRAS AND PARADES. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AMAZED AT THE CREATIVE SIDE OF MARDI GRAS—THE FLOAT BUILDERS, THE PARADE THEME CREATORS, AND THE COSTUME DESIGNERS. I AM EXCITED TO WORK WITH SOME OF THE BEST THIS CARNIVAL SEASON!””
Cooper has loved her reign thus far saying all of the parties over the holiday season have been a highlight. “People in Mobile are so generous and love to throw a good party,” she laughs. “I could not have asked for a better group to experience all of the fun with.” Her mother, Ashleigh, has enjoyed experiencing this special season alongside her daughter. “I always think it is such a gift for a Debutante’s mother to be able to spend the year with their grown daughter,” Ashleigh says. “We have loved shopping, planning, and designing everything. Mobile is full of talented artists!”
Currently a senior at The University of Alabama, Cooper is studying Finance with a concentration in Value Investing. She is an active member of her sorority, Kappa Delta, is in the Honors College, and has been on both the President’s and Dean’s lists throughout her college career. She will graduate in May of this year. Of her daughter’s successes, Ashleigh Leland says, “Cooper has always been quietly good at just about anything. When she tries something new, she usually masters it quickly, but says nothing about it. She has always worked very hard at anything thrown her way. Her father and I are very proud of all she has accomplished!”
Cooper absolutely loves her hometown of Mobile. Her favorite thing about living on the Bay is the breathtaking sunsets. She is a lover of seafood, so her favorite local restaurant is BlueGill, and loves heading there for lunch with her friends on a beautiful day! Cooper is thrilled to experience this Carnival season with her family and friends.
