Since its inception in 2016, ComplexCon has tapped some of the most important artists and creators in the world to help craft the overall aesthetic of the massive two-day celebration.
Along with creating the visual language of each year’s festivities, these individuals have also offered up exclusive merch and even invited some of their closest friends and collaborators to unveil special projects.
From legendary artists like Takashi Murakami to the most marketable musicians in the world like Travis Scott, here is A Complete Timeline of ComplexCon's Artistic Directors.
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2016-2019: Takashi Murakami
The first-ever ComplexCon artistic director was Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. He lent his signature flower and eye motifs to the official signage and flyers. His art was even featured on a commemorative issue of Complex alongside Kylie Jenner. Of course, there was also a wide range of exclusive merch each year. Some of the most notable projects came in 2019. They were a collab with Mitchell & Ness that consisted of Los Angeles Lakers gear and a multicolored pair of Crocs that dropped a few years ahead of the rubber clogs’ massive resurgence.
Murakami was assisted by Pharrell, who served as the Cultural Director and Host Committee Chair. The Japanese artist and multi-hyphenate helped define ComplexCon for its first two years in Long Beach. Along the way, they were aided by close friends like Virgil Abloh, Sarah Andelman, and Marc Ecko, who also sat on the host committee.
2022: Verdy
After COVID-19 forced ComplexCon to go virtual in 2020 and 2021 was hosted by J Balvin and Kristen Noel Crawley in place of an artistic director, ComplexCon decided to tap a new creator to help with the event’s visuals in 2022. Japanese creator Verdy was the pick.
In addition to limited edition merch designs and banners that incorporated his whimsical characters like Vick and Visty, Verdy also invited some of his closest friends and peers to man their own booths on the convention floor. Emerging labels included Car Service, Youth Loser, and See You Yesterday. Not only did Verdy create some of the most fun ComplexCon visuals to date, he made sure to use his platform to put on the next generation of streetwear and art. The communal vibe of the event that year was palpable for anyone in attendance.
2023: Cactus Plant Flea Market
One of the biggest and most consistent streetwear collaborators of the past decade has been Cactus Plant Flea Market. In 2023, the anonymous designer’s biggest project was ComplexCon. A giant yellow spider was CPFM’s mascot of choice. It was plastered across tees, hoodies, and a giant inflatable version even hung from the exterior of the Long Beach Convention Center. In addition to ComplexCon merch, CPFM also tapped a handful of close friends like Marc Jacobs and Levi’s to run their own booths that sold exclusive collabs. This ended up being the last year that ComplexCon was hosted in Long Beach. Safe to say, it went out with a bang.
2024: Travis Scott
To introduce ComplexCon to its new home in Las Vegas, it was time to go bigger than the event had ever gone before. They tapped music’s most marketable artist to build his own world inside of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Not only did Travis Scott headline the weekend-long festivities, he also built CactusCon. His section of the convention floor was home to a bazaar featuring first-time ComplexCon guests like Vetements, Rick Owens, and many more. Hip-hop’s greatest collaborator also made sure to drop off some exclusive merch with dozens of brands including the WWE, Nike, IRAK, Fox Racing, and Mowalola. The ambitious output made ComplexCon 2024 the most memorable installment to date.
2025: Daniel Arsham
For its second year in the desert, Daniel Arsham is helping bring ComplexCon into the future. One of the biggest artists on the planet will be lending his signature eroded design language to the space. Along with an array of great merch, Arsham is also erecting a gas station, hosting a car meetup outside of the Las Vegas Convention Center on Sunday morning, and collaborating with his friends like Hidden NY, Hublot, and Sushi Club for exclusive products. You can also expect some surprises from Arsham and company that we can’t reveal just yet.
Secure your tickets to ComplexCon 2025 now to make sure you don’t miss it.