5 reasons to check out ComplexCon 2021 in Long Beach

Sneakerheads and the fashion forward crowd can ditch their computers this year and check out new merchandise live and in person when ComplexCon returns to the Long Beach Convention Center Nov. 6-7.

After having a virtual ComplexCon online in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the fifth annual event is back in real life and expected to attract thousands. The young and stylish fashion and music fans come to shop at the pop-up mall where they can buy things such as sneakers, clothes and other items that aren’t usually available to the general public.

And since this isn’t a typical mall, ComplexCon also includes performances from hip-hop stars and other musical acts, plus DJ sets. This year, there’s a new food court that’s curated to match the cutting-edge music and fashion.

There’s a lot to take in this weekend so here are five things that you need to check out at this year’s ComplexCon in Long Beach.

1. Castle Kerwin

Harlem-born artist, DJ and fashion designer Kerwin Frost is bringing his kingdom — and a few famous musical friends — to ComplexCon with his multi-room cardboard castle. The pop-up castle will be part retail and part performance space with a lineup that includes Onyx, Mac DeMarco, Kero Kero Bonito and even a puppet show by the Bob Baker Marionettes, according to a press release.  On sale inside the walk-in castle will be items such as a limited pre-sale of Frost’s upcoming Adidas footwear release and a pop-up 7-Eleven store. And yes, there’s a working drawbridge, too.

2. All of the fashion

When it comes to fashion, ComplexCon is like time traveling to the future of style with brands dropping exclusive merchandise and doing special collaborations for the event. This is where you go to snatch up all the stuff that’s cool to wear before it’s available to the public. While details of specific new merchandise isn’t available yet, expect to see brands including Adidas, BBC, Atmos, Pleasures, Crocs,  Bricks & Wood, Champion and Topps showing off and selling their latest and greatest this weekend.

3. The food

ComplexCon isn’t just a feast for your fashion senses this year, it’s also an actual feast since ComplexCon is partnering with Care of Chan, a  New York-based agency that represents restaurants and chefs, to curate a lineup of more than 20 vendors and food trucks for the weekend at the First We Feast Lagoon. The Lagoon includes vendors such as Sweet Chick, an  American comfort food restaurant from Brooklyn that will not only serve chicken and waffles, but will also unveil a footwear collaboration with the Clarks shoe brand. Also at the Feast Lagoon will be Houston rapper Bun B, whose Trill Burger restaurant is collaborating with Chino’s Beleaf Burgers to serve plant-based burgers. And yes, the rapper will be on-site serving vegan burgers right off the grill.