In case you’ve been totally off the grid, the coolest kids from near and far flocked to the desert this past weekend for the start of Coachella 2016. For many of these VIPs, it’s not just about the music—there’s a slew of awesome parties, great food and top-tier people-watching at the three-day opening extravaganza. Here, check out how our friends Scott Studenberg and John Targon (of Baja East), Louise Roe, ZZ Ward, Djuna Bel and Z Berg spent their time at the festival.
"Desert bound!" —Louise Roe
"Sunset is always my favorite part of the day here. The music is just getting started and the silhouette of palm trees and mountains make for a stunning backdrop. I still haven't made it onto the Ferris wheel—next year!" —Louise Roe
"Off to ZOEasis! Chic, chic, chic—this is a gorgeous party and I'm bumping into so many mates. I'm obsessed with this dress from Rachel Zoe's collection, which I paired with cognac suede heels from Aquazzura." —Louise Roe
"Patches on patches on patches at ZOEasis—I'm customizing everything I own from this moment on." —Louise Roe
"At the Up & Down party with models Imaan Hammam and Naleye Junior." —Scott Studenberg and John Targon of Baja East
"We found love! Rihanna performing with Calvin Harris." —Scott and John of Baja East
"Had a great time at ZOEasis with our girl Rachel Zoe." — Scott and John of Baja East
"DJ Louis Brodinski crushin' it at the Calvin Klein party." —Scott and John of Baja East
"Some of my festival must-haves! So ready for the weekend." —ZZ Ward
"ZOEasis was one of my favorite stops all weekend. I got to personalize my own GUESS shorts with patches." —ZZ Ward
"I loved decorating these Superga sneakers with neon paint and glitter at ZOEasis. Good thing they told me to take a step back while they spun them—I had on a white shirt!" —ZZ Ward
"Getting my dance on to Soko who was DJing the Nylon party." —ZZ Ward
"Calvin Klein knows how to throw a party! Praying to the gods of In-N-Out for making me the happiest person in the world." —Djuna Bel
"Fireworks and confetti at the end of Guns N' Roses." —Djuna Bel
"After a lovely tasting at L'Horizon by chef Chris Anderson, Kanye West ordered Popeyes for everyone for dessert." —Djuna Bel
"Feeling zen at ZOEasis rocking my Rachel Zoe Gaia top." —Djuna Bel
"The Borns show in the Mojave tent was one of the best shows I saw all weekend—just thousands of people singing along to every word and losing their minds. It made me really remember the magic of a festival show." — Z Berg
"There are some girls who don't even carry a purse to Coachella—I am NOT one of those girls. I like to be prepared for anything, so I bring this little hatbox with necessities inside like sunblock, sunglasses, chapstick, hair brush, gum and more." — Z Berg
"I made this field my home once the exhaustion finally got to me!" — Z Berg (wearing the Rachel Zoe Annie Lace-Up Maxi Dress)
"It's so hard to capture just how vast and overwhelming the grounds of Coachella are—it feels like a whole different world. I took this panorama of the VIP section while we were watching Chvrches right as the sun was beginning its descent and the heat was starting to subside. Everywhere you turn are the silhouettes of massive palm trees, looming like the friendly guards of your little ephemeral city." — Z Berg
