Coachella 2019: Kendall Jenner, Shanina Shaik and Cardi B party in Californian desert dubbed ‘influencer Olympics’

From barely-there outfits to knee-high boots, braids and more sponsored posts than ever, Coachella has provided some of the most head-turning style moments of the year.

Revolve, Levi’s, nightclub chain 1OAK, Google, McDonald’s and Australian fashion label Nana Judy headed to the Californian desert to throw VVVIP parties attended by Leonardo DiCaprio, Kendall Jenner and just about every Victoria’s Secret model.

Coachella’s huge social media appeal hit a new level this year when it was dubbed the “influencer Olympics” in a widely-circulated meme, as the number of paid-for “sponsored posts”, “#ads” and DIY Instagram “models” seemed to be more prevalent than ever.

And that was only on the first weekend. The second weekend is being held this Friday to Sunday during Easter, with one mega addition to the line-up — Kanye West’s Sunday Service.

REVOLVE RULES

At Revolve’s annual #REVOLVEfestival, Cardi B and her on-again, off-again husband (“ex-husband”) Offset, of Migos, performed along with rapper 2 Chainz and All The Stars singer SZA.

The event was dubbed a “mini Coachella” and attracted an “it” crowd wearing, of course, brands from the hugely popular e-store Revolve.

On the list were Australian model Shanina Shaik, and her VS BFFs Georgia Fowler, Jasmine Tookes and Sara Sampaio.

The pastel-themed event featured a carousel, fairly floss and a flower wall which provided the perfect backdrop for an Instagram pose.

VVVIP PARTIES IN THE DESERT

At an estate named the “Desert Beach Club”, Australian clothing brand Nana Judy joined nightclub chain 1OAK and V magazine to throw French Riviera-themed day parties.

Guests included NFL bad boy Odell Beckham Jr and Australian model Montana Cox.

Set against an Instagram-magnet backdrop of palm trees and crisp white cabanas, the event featured performances by rising Instagram star Charlotte Lawrence and Sky Walker singer Miguel.

The bikini-clad spectacle included a see-through Nana Judy-branded beach ball, featuring a dancer inside.
 

On Saturday night, Bolthouse Productions — which operates Santa Monica hotspot Bungalow — threw its annual Neon Carnival, where Shaik was seen dancing in the DJ booth as her husband Gregory Andrews (aka DJ Ruckus) performed.

The couple was also spied together all over the Coachella grounds.

BACKSTAGE AT COACHELLA

Also at Neon Carnival — which was presented by Levi’s and featured sponsorship from tanning brand Bondi Sands — were ex-Victoria’s Secret Angel Alessandra Ambrosio, rapper Wiz Khalifa, singers Karrueche and Janelle Monae, and a camera-shy Leonardo DiCaprio.

DiCaprio did his best to stay away from cameras all weekend, hiding underneath a baggy hoody and sunglasses.
 

The Oscar-winner was spied at Neon Carnival as he is almost every year along with 1OAK’s after-party (which had sponsorship from Nana Judy and New York-based gym powerhouse Dogpound), held in the early hours of Monday morning.

DiCaprio was out and about over Coachella with his girlfriend Camila Morrone (hiding under a Dodgers cap), and was seen engaging in PDA by “patting her head” at Google and Poppy’s party on Friday night.
 

Coachella returns to the desert in Indio on Friday in the US (that’s Saturday Australian-time).

All eyes will be on Kanye West’s “sunrise” Sunday Service, scheduled for at 9am on Easter Sunday.

The controversial rapper’s addition to Coachella’s second weekend bill came as a shock after he pulled out of headlining the festival just days before the line-up was revealed.

The reason? A “creative conflict” when organisers refused to accommodate his vision of performing in a custom-made “dome”.
 

Usually held at a secret location in Los Angeles, West’s Sunday Services have featured guest performers including Kid Cudi, DMX and 070 Shake, and been attended by the Kardashian-Jenner family, as well as Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Courtney Love and Tyler the Creator.

The fact that West will be performing at Coachella this weekend — even if it is as a religious-themed “service”, Kanye-style — almost certainly means one thing: Kim Kardashian is probably going to Coachella.

Now that will be one outfit to watch.

Originally published as ‘Influencer Olympics’: Insane Coachella style