ComplexCon brings the internet to real life. If you weren’t there this weekend, prepare to be hit with maximum FOMO.
ComplexCon 2017: The second annual show
The second annual show was held last weekend at Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California; and as everyone knows, the second iteration of a convention is the one that can make or break coming back for a third round. Suffice to say, the team behind the show (Complex Networks and the fashion company, AGENDA) have nothing to worry about.
Pharrell onsite at ComplexCon 2017. Photo courtesy Jamal Damon.
Fueled by an amazing host committee which included the N. E.R.D’ s Pharrell Williams, famed artist Takashi Murakami and designer and co- founder of OFF-WHITE Virgil Abloh, ComplexCon had something for everyone. From the moment you enter the convention hall you are greeted by interactive booth installations, music and art.
It’s a pop-up shopping paradise that encompasses all things cool. Art was there to inspire, from the likes of Broad Museum favorite Takashi Murakami, to Madsaki and the Perrotin Gallery, to the uber fab interactive art installation from Snarkitecture. Plus there was the off the hook live art goodies, like the one presented by Tretorn and Andre 3000 from OutKast.
Andre 3000. Image courtesy of Jamal Damon.
Is music your motivation? Pigeons and Planes had you covered. Showcasing some of the up and coming stars of this generation like Dreezy, Jaden Smith and the Cozy Boys were complimented by random live sets from global DJ giants like Steve Aiko and more.
On the retail front, over 100 retailers both new and established with exclusive merch dropped in amazing experiences designed specifically for this weekend. Booths like Airforce 100’s customization zone, live tattoos by the Seventh Letter Gallery and the onsite OFF-WHITE tee customizing by Virgil Abloh and Takashi Murakami.
DMC with photographer Jamal Damon at ComplexCon 2017. Photo courtesy Jamal Damon.
Making it a fully 360 experience, the con brought back ComplexCon(versations) for the second year with informative talks and live tapings of some their popular web series. An assortment of topics from What is Money? Currency and Crypto-Currency with Marc Ecko and others, to Drop Science: Drops, whether sneakers or streetwear, make the hypebeast world go round and round. The limited supply, paired with the high demand, generates overnight lines in order to cop these grails. Hosts Chris Gibbs and Karizza Sanchez, were joined by the architects and tastemakers behind the biggest drops.
And if that wasn’t enough – ComplexCon brought it with amazing concerts from some of the world’s top entertainers, like Top those two days off with amazing concerts from some of the worlds top entertainers, you get a event like no other.
Written by special DLX contributor, Jamal Damon.