Couldn’t nab tickets to 29Rooms before it sold out? You weren’t alone. Due to incredibly high demand, Refinery29’s adult multi-sensory pop up playhouse experience in Downtown Los Angeles sold out before it even opened. With record-breaking ticket sales, the “Turn It Into Art” themed activation took place over two weekends, ending on December 17, and featured a combination of new and old experiences from the recent New York exhibition.
Celebs and brands collaborators spanning the spectrum of art, style, entertainment, technology, social good, and more, played a role in the shared storytelling experience and curated room designs including Demi Lovato, Janelle Monáe, Margot Robbie, Emma Roberts, Chloe x Halle, Alexa Meade, along with Planned Parenthood, Women’s March, adidas, Marc Jacobs DAISY, Urban Decay Cosmetics, and more!
Even if you didn’t get a chance to nab tickets, you can still shop pieces from the 29Rooms limited-edition capsule collection of signature merchandise to own a piece of the experience. The collection includes a collection of items for super fans featuring everything from commemorative tees, lapel pins, hoodies, bandanas, bomber jackets and even a super on-trend red beret, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Step Up.
Here’s a roundup of our favorite rooms you may have missed.
BECOME THE MASTERPIECE in collaboration with Alexa Meade: In this double room featuring two contrasting artistic styles both painted by Alexa Meade, the walls are the canvas and the guests are the masterpiece. Grab a prop and get into character while channeling your inner muse. You’ll become part of the scene as you turn yourself into art.
DREAMER’S DEN in collaboration with Juno Calypso and Darby Parker: Enter this surreal speakeasy, grab a seat, and watch as this fiery and ethereal siren Darby Parker turns your thoughts into art. Surrounded by the imagery of British artist Juno Calypso, guests are welcomed into an interactive space featuring live singing from Parker, who will turn the dreams guests share into a song on the spot.
GENDER NEUTRAL in collaboration with Jill Soloway’s Topple: Recreating the refuge and familiar sanctity of a high school bathroom, this space invites guests to listen to first-person stories on their own of the first awareness of gender identity from Roberta Colindrez, Rhys Ernst, Alexandra Grey, Amos Mac, Bashir Naim, and Pigeon Pagonis. Created in collaboration with Emmy-winning director and creative force Jill Soloway and artist Xavier Schipani, the intimate space lets attendees share in these highly personal moments of self-discovery.
HARMONY in collaboration with Chloe x Halle and Benjamin Shine: This sound and visual installation is a collaboration between British artist and designer Benjamin Shine and sisters and recording artists Chloe x Halle. Exploring the many intertwining layers that make up the bond of sisterhood, the space celebrates the duality of the physical and spiritual connection and the beauty of energies uniting.
THE POWER PARLOR in collaboration with Demi Lovato: We all have our own form of battle scars; a reminder of what we’ve overcome. Inspired by powerhouse Demi Lovato’s own tattoos that celebrate her resilience, step into this temporary tattoo parlor and turn your personal journey into art. Adorn yourself with a message of courage and self-confidence, and let your ink empower you to move forward in the face of any challenge.
TALES WE TELL in collaboration with Emma Roberts & Karah Preiss: A larger than life typewriter will set the scene in this space inspired by Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss’ Belletrist book community. Celebrating female authors and helping to keep the art of storytelling alive, you’ll be greeted by dozens of empty books that you can write in — whether crafting your own story or adding to someone else’s. Additionally, for the Los Angeles installation, Belletrist will partner with RE-BOOK IT, an LA-based book donation service, and THE LAST BOOKSTORE, one of the few remaining independently run local bookstores, inviting attendees to donate their used books throughout both weekends.
THE TROPHY ROOM in collaboration with “I, Tonya” starring Margot Robbie: To stand atop the podium of any sport requires persistence, determination, and self-belief. Inspired by Margot Robbie’s iconic performance as Tonya Harding, we invite you to claim your own gold: step up on the podium and wave your flag defiantly for all to see.
WHAT’S YOUR FREQUENCY? in collaboration with Janelle Monáe: Through the weaponization of technology, mass surveillance, and cultural uniformity, many argue that modern society is waging an invisible war against us all. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we explore our own complex humanity, document injustice, and fight for our freedom. In this installation, step into the ranks of this surreal army of surveillance as you’re watched, recorded and transmitted. Take creative control of their gaze and turn your liberation into art.
WORLD OF DAISY in collaboration with Marc Jacobs Fragrances: Immerse yourself into the world of Marc Jacobs DAISY. Upon entering, guests will emerge into a surreal floral dreamscape, inspired by the signature scent. Blooming with vibrant colors, whimsical proportions and floral accessories, the space engages guests to experience the optimistic and free-spirited nature of the fragrance through sight, sound and smell as they explore this multi-sensory reality, manifested from dreams. Welcome to the world of DAISY.
Photo Credit:
By Kinya Claiborne, STYLE & SOCIETY
Wardrobe & Accessories by Tadashi Shoji
Footwear by Carrano Shoes
Hair by Fancy Hair
Photo Credit: Marco Imagery
