ComplexCon 2017 has come and gone — but the memories will live on forever. The outfits were nice, the performance lineups were good and the surprise performances were great; but to be able to meet all of our favorite celebrities at one weekend event? Priceless. While most are convinced that the exclusive retail products were the meat of what they missed, we’ve realized that it was the experience of being there that was the most valuable of all. After all, what’s exclusivity if those drops are now available at second hand shops around Los Angeles, anyway? That said, hopefully you didn’t spend all your time waiting in line.
The question What is ComplexCon is just as hard to answer as it was last year. It isn’t a trade show, but it isn’t a music festival either. It’s more like a meeting of the minds — a new take on entertainment consumption. Everyone there is into the same stuff — they love the same music, fashion and trends, yet they’re all intensely individualistic. It’s where you might just realize that your favorite celebrity is into the exact same stuff that you are, because you’re both shopping at the same booth. That’s why we believe the social aspect of the event is what drives it home — being able to meet peers in a catalyzed setting to find common grounds is the best way to make new friends (celebrity or not).
“Dawg. That was hard! We gotta link up tonight,” Desiigner yelled at SmokePurpp, as he walked off of the Pigeons and Planes stage. “Hell yeah! Let me get your info.” Purpp, covered in sweat from his performance, takes out his phone and the two exchanged numbers. “We’re gonna be in the studio tonight, you gotta come through,” he said.
I left the two to their business, said my respects and headed towards the main crowd.
Everyone there was entertaining themselves. Individually they were following their own agendas and entertaining their own interests. The beauty of ComplexCon is that there’s no set way to enjoy it. You don’t have to shop, nor do you have to watch the concerts or sit through the ComplexCon-versations to have a good time. You just need to be there (bonus points for having a map) and you’ll find your niche. Whether that’s meeting like-minded individuals or finding once-in-a-lifetime encounters, taking photos, watching your favorite rappers perform or copping heat for retail, ComplexCon had something for everyone.
As I waited around the Bodega pop-up area for a surprise DJ set from Metro Boomin, I suddenly realized where I was and what was going on around me — from hopping off of a golf cart with Pusha T, to kicking it with Skepta as he made a pair of custom Nike’s in the Nike Lab, to — dawg, I just met Virgil — it all hit me at once.
The ComplexCon experience is freedom of expression; the highest form of satisfaction in doing whatever you want.
Gucci Mane, ComplexCon“We spent $400 on this wristband; we wanted to make custom Off-White tee’s, or maybe get a pair of the N.E.R.D. NMD’s, but we didn’t get any of that,” said a group of kids late Sunday evening. “We waited in line since 10 pm on Friday and 6 pm on Saturday and we still came up empty handed.” The union blamed the prioritizing of friends and family in some lines and the insensitive shutting down (in response to large crowds) at others for their inability to snag the best gear. “But we ended up meeting Ski Mask the Slump God, so fuck it! You know? It was worth it.”
At the end of the day, whether you copped or not, here at Nice Kicks we just hope you were able to enjoy the experience while it lasted. Unfortunately for those who missed out, buying second hand gear doesn’t come with the excitement of the initial purchase. So for that, we just gotta say, we hope we’ll see you there next year — buying it yourself! Hopefully by then, we’ll have one final answer to everyone’s favorite question; What is ComplexCon?
