Another hot day in the desert kicked off Coachella 2025 Weekend Two. However, the festival that is known for attics jaw-dropping surprises, super viral moments, and memories to last a lifetime, seemed to have a certain feminine mystique on Friday. Maybe it was the queen, Lady Gaga, headlining that night, or the legendary rock girl group, The Go-Go’s, taking this stage, or the icon, Missy Elliott, but there was certainly a feminine feel in the air on Friday at Coachella.
This week, American Express unveiled a magical collaboration, joining forces with Japanese designer Verdy and K-Pop sensation BLACKPINK. The NYC drop comes days before their performance at the Met Life Stadium on August 12, featuring an exclusive capsule collection designed by Verdy. Located conveniently at 541 W 25th St, the pop-up is just a short distance from Hudson Yards and offers easy access to the High Line, making it a must-visit destination for both BLACKPINK devotees and pop culture enthusiasts. The exhibit is open for a limited time, providing a unique opportunity to experience the synergy between music, art, and fashion that defines BLACKPINK’s global influence
Upon entering the pop-up, visitors are greeted by a captivating sight: a larger-than-life BLACKPINK bear named KRUNK, exclusively designed by Verdy. This iconic centerpiece sets the tone for the entire experience, symbolizing the fusion of BLACKPINK’s trendsetting aesthetic with VERDY’s distinctive artistic touch. The atmosphere exudes energy and excitement, resonating with the vibrant spirit of the K-pop phenomenon. As visitors continue their journey, a dedicated merchandise section awaits. From trendy dad hats and heart-shaped pillows to stylish tees, jackets, and a distinctive bike priced at $3,500, the collection lets fans own a piece of BLACKPINK’s magic. VERDY’s artistic touch is evident in every detail, harmoniously fusing the pop-up’s theme with BLACKPINK’s global influence.
As you explore further, the rear of the pop-up reveals an interactive wall adorned with captivating images of the Born Pink bear. A life-sized Born Pink BLACKPINK heart takes center stage, delighting fans with its visual charm. This interactive feature creates an immersive experience, bringing fans closer to the beloved K-pop sensations. For an added dose of fun, a photo booth area awaits, allowing fans to snap playful shots and have them printed out as treasured mementos. The BLACKPINK Born Pink Pop-Up experience encapsulates the essence of K-pop culture, uniting music, art, and fandom under one roof. Don’t miss your chance to explore this limited experience.
To learn more about BLACKPINK’s Born Pink pop-up experiences, including opening hours and additional details, please visit www.blackpinkmusic.com/amexpopup.
As the headlined hiccups of weekend 1 concluded, music executives, label writers, and editors alike returned to Indio for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival’s updated second round. And with most of the social media influencers’ photo ops already captured, the Shein team locked in on how everyday fans experienced the festival, namely through their budget-friendly collections. “Let’s be honest. Everyone doesn’t want sandy designer looks,” one of the brand’s reps laughed during Shein’s introductory Coachella luncheon at the La Quinta Resort & Club.
On Friday, September 16th I visited the BLACKPINK x Spotify pop up experience on Melrose! Dreamt up by Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, every aspect of this 3-day experience was crafted for their fans. This was the first time Blinks were able to step inside the world of BORN PINK, the group’s sophomore album.
Fans had the opportunity to be fully immersed in a unique experience with the Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa stamp of approval. The event featured an array of curated photo moments, exclusive BLACKPINK merch available to purchase, and a variety of delicious snacks for everyone’s enjoyment.
My favorite moment of the event was being able to record a 10 second video on a professional camera that was then sent to me via email! Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa even visited the store before it opened and signed one of the walls with their BLACKPINK name printed on it.
It felt really special to be immersed in all things BLACKPINK, knowing that the group themselves added their own personal touches. I got to enjoy strawberry boba for the first time and pleasantly enjoyed it. They also handed out iced coffees and different finger foods.
Their merchandise was not only cute and trendy, but definitely high quality. When purchasing an item, fans were also able to take home a cute BLACKPINK canvas bag to hold all of their stuff. Overall, the event was awesome and a great way to showcase their new album BORN PINK. BORN PINK is available to stream on all platforms!
With so much Asian excellence on display at Coachella this year, one might wonder, “Was Coachella 2022 a Low-Key K-pop Concert? #seriously?
K-pop has begun to sweep the world as the “Hallyu wave” or “Korean wave” (the idea that South Korean pop culture has grown in prominence to become a major driver of global pop culture) has finally cemented its place in the west.
