You know the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which officially kicks off April 12, is all about how you look just as much as it is about the music.
YSL Beauty is joining in on the fun with an Instagram-worthy pop-up en route to Indio — a literal pit-stop for lipstick. Designed to look like a gas station, the beauty pop-up, which runs April 12-14, will be hard to miss on Highway 111 near Cathedral City. It will be decked out with neon-pink gas pumps and have vending machines that dispense the brand’s latest beauty products.
That and a slew of fashion parties and gifting events have transformed the annual music and arts festival in the desert into style central.
“It’s become a hotbed of fashion trends,” said Alexandra Mandelkorn, stylist to Janelle Monáe, whom she’ll dress for the actress-singer’s Coachella performance and round of parties. “But the most important thing is that people see it as a place to express themselves — to dress differently from their normal life and to just go for it.”
That’s why Mandelkorn suggested throwing the following items into your travel bag: anything with a short hemline or tie-dye or tropical prints; crocheted pieces; sheer maxi dresses; kimonos; and sparkly makeup.
“We will see a lot of ’80s vibe, rock-’n’-roll influences, hip-hop [and] bohemian, and I like to mix those genres,” she said. Most important, said Mandelkorn, think about footwear. “Given all the walking and the crowds, sandals are a dangerous choice,” she said. “I like a good boot — anything that is comfortable for long distances but still looks great.”
Here are some Coachella-ready fashion, accessory and beauty picks.
Flan Pixi Beauty
THOSE EYES, THOSE LIPS Glittering makeup is a festival must-have. The Glitter-y Eye Quad from Pixi Beauty, at left, comes in shades of blue pearl and silver. $14. Available at pixibeauty.com and at Pixi Beauty’s store at Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. Violent Lips makes sparkling vegan lip appliqués; the temporary lip tattoos come in designs such as Rainbow, Tie Dye and the Galaxy. $5 to $10 for a pack of three. Available at violentlips.com.
Mr Turk x 2(X)ist
BEST DRESSED Here’s one way to make an entrance. From the Blanche’s Blessing collection by Camilla comes an off-the-shoulder ruff le dress in colors inspired by Versailles. Crystals embellish the neckline. $1,000. Available at camilla.com.
Sam Pearce The Wolf Gang Camilla
STAY WARM Unisex brand Flan, which is based in Brooklyn, makes colorful athleisure pieces. Its rosecolored crew neck velour sweatshirt, below, could warm those cool desert nights. $150. Available at f lanlabs.com. RAISE YOUR HANDS Keep your hands free thanks to the leather Beaumont Circle belt bag with detachable tassel from Australian label the Wolf Gang. $228. Available at thewolfgang.com.
Violent Lips
Havva
WESTERN SWING British brand Havva goes Western with the Texas, a glossed leather boot with silver dome studs. About $500. Available at havvamustafa.com.
Oh Mar Collins Revolve
WRAP STAR The Oriana, a jacquard chiffon wrap-style skirt by LPA, features festive fringe, which has been long associated with the music festival circuit. $198. Available at revolve.com.
JUMP TO IT The Mr. Turk X 2(X)ist Collection includes this oversize woven jumpsuit for men in a tropical floral print. It certainly might make you a standout in the Coachella crowd. $198. Available at 2ixst.com.