I remember my 1st music festival. I was a student in Australia and it was called BIG DAY OUT. I was in the mosh pit, jumping to Beastie Boys, without a cell phone, capturing everything moment to moment, without a screen.
Fast forward to 2019 - what comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Coachella’?
The term has been synonymous with fashion forward trends, music acts that define generations, glamping for rich kids and some amazing installation art.
One universal truth though, Coachella is a huge world stage, against the magnificent backdrop of desert life, with a mass outreach for musicians - regardless of genre. And this year, it was empowering to see more of the world represented with K-pop group BlackPink and Latin pop act J Balvin killin' it on stage.
spot the blimp!
Embodying a more eco conscious mindset was a personal festival goal this year.
My fanny pack was life. I cramped my Mario Badescu vegan, cruelty-free rosewater spray (*not sponsored, just really love it!) and reusable tin water bottle (refill stations) all in there. Baby green steps!
For my wardrobe, I wanted to re-purpose my look as much as I could, with multi-purpose fashion finds. Living in a ‘gram world, it’s inevitable you might want to capture multiple outfits which, let’s be honest, we might never (ever) wear again.
So I brought this precious bottom piece…
1 skirt, 3 different styles
Day 2, Coachella
Day 3, Coachella
YSL Pop Up Station, Palm Desert
… plus I get to travel light
The boots I got from a clothing swap in LA! My girlfriend would organize these big ‘swap parties’ where you’d bring clothes (in good condition) in exchange for someone else’s. Your junk could be another person’s treasure. And the pieces that no one took home? We would donate them all to the Downtown Women’s Centre for homelessness. It’s genius.
Besides the obvious epic headliners, what gets me excited about going to the festival is the chance to discover new acts. French Actress Charlotte Gainsbourg - I love her work on screen, but didn’t realize she was an amazing musician and pianist. And a big shout-out to Little Simz and her band, a young British rapper with a 90’s funk/soul vibe.
I couldn’t stop dancing for almost her full set. With lyrics like…
“I said it with my chest and I don't care who I offend”
“Mommy taught me better strategies, Still it burns, guess it's a blessing and a curse. Life goes on, this another lesson learned”
… her album is on my repeat now.
That feeling to me represents the true spirit and beauty of Coachella - where artists get to be Artists. And we get to be inspired.