Ultra Music Festival x YRU/ESQAPE
Courtesy of Ultra Music Festival
Arranging your festival outfits is among the most stressful part of the event itself — outside of planning which artists’ sets you’ll catch, of course. Flower crowns, fringed accessories, and other boho-themed attire are de rigueur at fests such as Coachella and Governors Ball.
However, if you’re headed to Miami to check out world-renowned DJs such as Above & Beyond, Flume and DJ Snake at Ultra Music Festival (which takes place from March 20-22 at Bayfront Park), you better bring your distinctive A game.
With Ultra being a staple in the festival circuit for more than 20 years, the fashion there has mirrored the latest styles of the dance music scene — from the ‘90s wide-leg JNCO pants to the ’00s candy ravers and the pasties-and-hot shorts look of today. With the addition of the RESISTANCE stage (focusing more on underground electronic musicians) to the Ultra family, we’re seeing an integration of the independent fashion scene with dark techno vibes.
Katie Kansas, Ultra’s director of entertainment (who is also a stylist on the side), tells Billboard Style: “Ultra Music Festival has always been known for building out innovative, forward-thinking productions and landscape. We are consistently utilizing the most cutting-edge technology in our staging and designs, and Ultranauts [nickname for diehard attendees] mirror this by creating robotic and sci-fi looks.”
Inspired by time travel, hyper-realities and space travel, Ultra incorporates such elements into its stage structures. It’s become a signature for the festival and has subsequently influenced the fashion as the last piece of the puzzle to complete its immersive idea. The Carl Cox MegaStructure, for example, is a massive stage with trippy effects.
Since the festival is a whimsical, space-centric playground that promotes inclusivity and creativity, it makes sense that fans channel the energy with looks that are equally vibrant. Attendees from more than 90 countries visit the festival every year, making the crowd a diverse mix of cultures and personal style.
Whether you’re into punchy, in-your-face neon hues or like to embrace the mood of the RESISTANCE stage that takes on what Kansas describes as “an especially dark, rebellious feel stemming from the techno underground that the culture was born from,” there’s a look for you.
Need a little jumpstart? We have you covered. Billboard Style has exclusive photos featuring YRU footwear and stylish pieces such as bikini tops, mesh leggings, goggles, and more from ESQAPE, from this year’s Ultra style shoot. When it comes to the vision, Kansas adds: “This shoot teleported our Ultra Angels to a faraway galaxy with neon pleather, reflective and holographic jackets, bold bodysuits, galactic sunglasses and goggles from YRU, black mesh and crisscrossing lace, and extraterrestrial patterns.”
If these pictures don’t wake up your inner muse, we’ve enlisted the aid of Kansas for the following tips on how to be the haute Ultranaut at this year’s festival.
Tip No. 1: Dress for fickle weather
The vibe in Miami is always lively, but the weather doesn’t always cooperate with the city’s outdoor happenings — Ultra included. To be one step ahead of the forecast, Kansas recommends dressing in layers that you can quickly add or subtract contingent on the sunshine.
Tip No. 2: You can sit with us
“The best way to get attention and make your mark at the festival is to roll deep with a matching theme,” Kansas suggests. Perhaps you want to have a neon-clad army, an alien entourage, or a sultry squad glammed up in head-to-toe black for the RESISTANCE stage — don’t be afraid to push boundaries as a posse.
Tip No. 3: Express yourself
Ditch your everyday wear for something daring, but stay true to your individuality. If you typically dislike bright colors, opt for your favorite neutrals with touches of the space theme. Think along the lines of intergalactic accessories such as star earrings, plenty of metallic bangles, and a dash of body glitter. “Be unique. Find inspiration in styles you love but add your own twist to the look,” Kansas states. “This will allow you to stand out and make a statement that represents who you are.”
Tip No. 4: Mix it up
Fashion designers such as Tory Burch, Ulla Johnson, and Nicole Miller frequently play with the pattern-on-pattern theme for their fashion shows. Who doesn’t love a floral frock coupled with a roar of leopard flats? Don’t be afraid to follow suit. And if mixing up patterns isn’t quite your thing, Kansas recommends mixing and matching materials. “Don’t be afraid to play around with textures!” she notes. “Different layers and materials give depth and flair to your outfit.”
Tip No. 5: Take care of thy feet
The worst feeling in the world is having achy feet at a festival when it’s only 2:00 p.m. and the headliner doesn’t get on the main stage until the early morning. Worse yet is getting back to the hotel only to discover you’ve worn out the soles of your favorite booties from all that shuffling on day two. “Find the perfect shoes and buy two pairs at least,” Kansas suggests. “After dancing across the festival all weekend, you’re bound to wear your kicks down, and you’ll want to be ready for the next dance floor adventure!”