Coachella 2022 First Weekend Roundup

Let’s start with this Riverdale trio spotted in the California desert: from the aesthetic lights of a Canadian diner where they played the roles of Toni Topaz, Veronica Lodge and Betty Cooper, actresses Vanessa Morgan, Camila Mendes and Lili Reinhart ditched the all-American world inspired by the iconic Archie Comics series for the legendary music and art festival of Coachella. Vanessa may go easy on her festival looks (she rocked a Y2K hairstyle featuring a DIY hairpiece obtained from kids' jewellery and safety pins - a look so simple yet so powerful and original, it’s an absolute yes!) but she makes sure her voice is heard. The actress addressed in fact the gap in pay rates between her and her non-black colleagues and opened up about the struggles of black characters in narrative and more.

Camila Mendes - who in the show plays silver-tongued heiress Veronica Lodge - has always been one for the natural style (if you follow her on Instagram, you know what I’m talking about!) - and between slaying her eyebrow looks and fighting the discrimination against Latinas in the USA, she’s also here to serve impeccable style.

A simple hairstyle for Camila, who sported her naturally dark hair in a low ponytail and face-framing tendrils. One of the actress’ best outfits was this tie-dye look-alike boho-chic piece, which compliments her minimal hair and makeup in absolute harmony and perfection.

Like her previously mentioned co-stars, Lili was made worldwide famous by the CW teen drama Riverdale, where she plays the role of Betty Cooper. You may also have seen her around as the new ambassador of Cover Girl and American Express, or acting next to big stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo and Cardi B in Hustlers - and let me tell you, Lili’s more than that! Although she doesn’t openly declare herself an activist, the actress has always been vocal about social issues, mental health, politics and more. Riverdale’s darling showed up at the festival in a sunny orange maxi dress, sporting a fresh new haircut - religiously worn with a deep side part. Brave and bold, just like herself!

This is a celebrity that doesn’t need an introduction for sure - American model Kendall Jenner has made a name for herself, and not only by being born in the right family. She, in fact, outshined supermodel Gisele Bundchen as the highest-paid model in the whole world. Quite the title, huh? Her recent change of hair made the internet talk a lot - it’s either you love it or you hate it, so they say - but Kendall has an independent mindset and is effectively a trendsetter, so she kept said hairstyle all the way through this festival too. It must mean something!

Now, this is someone I haven’t seen in a while! Chanel is shining brighter than the sun with her blonde tresses woven in baby braids and adorned by wooden beads. An old-school take on this year’s retro-esque hair trends comeback, which worked perfectly with her choice of outfit: a bikini top + skirt combo inspired by 70s trippy patterns in a shade that reminds me of strawberry and passion fruit milkshake. Oh, to be a Los Angeles rapper, singer, tv host and businesswoman chilling in the sun!

US Navy veteran, singer, Asian-American rights advocate and TikTok star. Yes, in case you haven’t heard of Filipino-American star Bella Poarch, she is all of this and more! After serving in the US Navy for four years, she rose to fame for lip-syncing to Millie B’s rap song - immediately gaining the viral sensation status in a few days. She rapidly became the third most followed TikTok user ever, after Charli D’Amelio and Khaby Lame. For the occasion, Bella wore extra-long braids together with hair jewellery - in this case, a bunch of rhinestone threads to match the length of her hair. I have no doubt there are a lot of hair extensions involved in this game, and the results are absolutely amazing!

American rapper, singer and songwriter Amala - known by her stage name Doja Cat - comes with a whole lot of personality, which is what made her popular together with her undoubtable talent and insane work ethic. Her irreverent online personality is only one of the many faces of an all-around artist that doesn’t stop singing, producing, dancing and performing. This year, Doja won 2 awards (Performer Of The Year and Female Rapper Of The Year) and her latest album Planet Her is nominated for Best International Album Of The Year. Quite the accomplishment if you think that she made her way up all the way from the dark meanders of SoundCloud! At Coachella, one of her most peculiar styles was definitely this spikey top-knot paired with a revealing post-apocalyptic outfit.

Texan rapper Megan, aka Megan Thee Stallion, unapologetically raps with and about confidence, sexuality and strength. If you ever used the term “hot girl summer” you most likely owe it to the Stallion herself, who went as far as trademarking this catchphrase.

Queen of the stage and queen of philanthropy, Megan presented her new diss track on stage at Coachella this year - and she did it in style, as per usual: wrapped in a custom Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit, letting her natural hair flow in flawless corkscrew curls.

Nicole was all the rage when I was growing up - her style, her voice, her dancing skills were everything and although the Pussycat Dolls’ reunion has been cancelled, Nicole’s career is still soaring high. From being the face of big brands like Perfectil and British Airways to collaborating in the world of fashion with her own collection of lingerie, shoes, handbags and jewellery, a woman like Nicole Scherzinger is always on the go and always welcome on the scene - especially a major art and music event such as Coachella. Long story short, there is no rest for the wicked and certainly no rest for this Hawaiian philanthropist and activist. Nicole was the real showstopper in her eclectic ocean-coloured ensemble and puffy space buns.

Known by her username Shina Nova, this Inuk TikTok star and throat singer is native to Canada - specifically, the region of Nunavik - and moved to Montreal when she was only four years old. She gained her fame in March 2020, when lockdown hit the hardest in many parts of the world after she began posting viral videos featuring many aspects of her Inuit culture.

She also uses her platform to model traditional Inuit clothing and celebrates clothing handmade with local furs and animal skins by her mother Caroline, including atigik (parka), earrings, and paaluk (mittens), nasaks (hats), and kamiks (boots). Her online platforms are a source of endless education about Inuit culture and activism to protect indigenous culture and history; her appearance at Coachella was a display of beauty, style and tradition with her handmade jewellery and traditional face tattoos and a natural, shiny, flowing mane.