2019 is the year of Rule Breakers.
Across the world and in every industry — art and music, sports and entertainment, beauty and health, policy and government — femme-identifying people flipped the script, owned their power, and changed the game.
In order to celebrate these Rule Breakers, and to inspire others to blaze their own trail, Bustle hosted a huge outdoor festival worthy of iconoclasts. Across a sprawling green space at The LeFrak Center in Brooklyn, on what turned out to be an unseasonably warm and beautiful late-summer day, Bustle’s 2019 Rule Breakers celebrated in style. Revelers roamed the grounds wearing flower crowns and glittery face paint while sipping on delicious custom cocktails.
And best of all, every aspect of the festival — from the food village, to the roller-skating rink, to the boat pond, to the main stage — was designed to inspire festival-goers to treat themselves and create change.
Rule Breakers boasted over a dozen different stations that were tailor-made by its sponsors to engage, entertain, or enlighten. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable moments and messages from the festival.
Be A Baller
When guests arrived at Rule Breakers, they were immediately inspired by the WNBA entry tunnel, which included a special appearance by Bria Hartley of the New York Liberty. With WNBA stars emblazoned on the walls reminding us all that we can achieve greatness, festival goers posed for photographs and hung out on the bleachers to take in the sights and sounds of the day.
Yoga Is The Only Way To Start The Day
Festival goers warmed up for the day’s activities with an exclusive Y7 yoga class presented by Athleta and taught by instructor Angelica Wilson. In the brilliant sun, guests showed off their skills and flowed to an inspiring “women in hip hop” DJ set.
Own Your Style
The party continued at the Michael Kors roller disco, where guests busted out their best old-school dance moves. With skates on your feet, the wind in your hair, and music by DJ Rashida and DJ Natasha Diggs playing, it was impossible not to feel the disco fantasy. Michael Kors helped turn the glamour up a notch by furnishing guests with custom, vintage athletic socks.
Say "I've Got This"
At the Plan B One-Step® Listening Lounge, attendees were inspired by the words of author and poet, Aija Mayrock, who encouraged listeners to say “I’ve Got This” in every aspect of their life. Guests paid that energy forward, sharing their own words of wisdom and encouragement on the larger-than-life collaborative mural nearby.
Get In The Driver’s Seat
The “Batcave”, sponsored by Batwoman on The CW (New Series Oct. 6, Sunday 8/7c), was one of the most unique elements of the festival. Guests could take “Batboats” out for a spin on the lake, providing a quiet oasis in the midst of the day’s activities. Guests marked the occasion with temporary, iconic Batwoman tattoos.
Be Your Own Hero
"Nancy’s Nook," sponsored by The CW’s Nancy Drew (New Series Oct. 9, Wednesday 9/8c), served up exclusive custom cocktails in style from a festive “Book Bar” made up of notable covers from the Nancy Drew book series. It was all in celebration of your favorite teen detective continuing her prodigy-level mystery-solving skills on your small screen with the premiere of Nancy Drew on The CW. While sipping show-inspired cocktails like the “Ghost Gimlet” and the “Scarlet Sipper,” guests got to emulate the iconic detective herself in a mysterious, interactive photo booth made to look like the cover of Nancy Drew & The Hidden Staircase. After all, we love a mystery, and we know you do too.
Any Place Can Be An Oasis
At the RITAS Oasis, guests relaxed in the beautiful weather while they sipped on their favorite ice cold RITAS and RITAS Spritz flavors like Straw-Ber-Rita, Lime-A-Rita, Mang-O-Rita, White Peach Rose Spritz, Pear Orange Sangria Spritz, and Strawberry Blueberry Sangria Spritz. Festival goers were treated to unapologetic photo opps, fruit flavor themed lounge seating, and custom screen-printed nail art to make them feel — and look — like their most badass selves.
It's Fun To Be Smart
Smartfood saved the day, sharing delicious bags of white cheddar popcorn with all of the day’s Rule Breakers. The perfect on-the-go snack for a day in the park, the little black bag of Smartfood was the festival’s hottest accessory.
Toast To Life’s Milestones
Visa reminded guests to celebrate money milestones, from reaching savings goals to making life’s big purchases. And because Rule Breakers wouldn’t be a party without a toast, Visa served up complimentary pours of rosé to keep the party going.
Make Your Own Crown
Nothing is more fierce than a flower crown inspired by the Mistress of Evil herself, Maleficent. One thing this complicated heroine has taught us is that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Lucky for us, Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (in theaters October 18th, 2019) provided a gorgeous customizable festival crown station, as well as Maleficent-inspired black and green ice cream. Guests posed in the park with their ’gram-worthy flower crown creations and sinister treats in preparation for the film’s upcoming release.
A Little Sparkle Goes a Long Way
e.l.f. Cosmetics was front and center to make sure that every Rule Breaker was festival ready. Their glitter squad transformed guests’ eyes, lips, and face into sparkling perfection, and by the end of the day, the entire crowd was serving up major festival vibes.
Stay Connected
With so many incredible photo opps, guests needed a place to hang out and recharge. At Fossil’s Gen 5 Lounge, guests enjoyed complimentary gin and tonics, Flash Tats, and a custom Rule Breakers selfie mirror while their phones powered up. Best of all, just for visiting, guests had the opportunity to win a Gen 5 watch!
Be The Baddest Bitch In The Room
Audible helped guests bring the lessons of the day with them into the world with a free download of The Baddest Bitch In The Room, a new audio memoir by Sophia Chang. In this Audible Original, Chang tells the incredible story of her life as the first Asian woman in hip-hop, an entrepreneur, a mother, and an overall badass who inspires new generations of femmes to break all the rules.
This article is sponsored by: The WNBA, Athleta, Michael Kors, Plan B One-Step®, The CW's Batwoman, The CW's Nancy Drew, RITAS, Visa, Smartfood, Disney's Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Fossil, and Audible's The Baddest Bitch In The Room by Sophia Chang.
