A Porsche 911 Dakar and 400 Fans Walk Into a Don Toliver Magazine Launch
What followed was a one-day celebration of ‘Octane,’ car culture and Hypebeast Magazine’s ‘The Architects Issue.’
This past Monday, June 1, Hypebeast Magazine brought Issue 37: The Architects Issue to life alongside cover star Don Toliver, taking over CART Department’s Free Parking Gallery in New York City for a one-day-only activation inspired by the artist’s lifelong relationship with cars.
The event served as a physical extension of Toliver’s cover story, which explores how automotive culture helped shape both his creative identity and his latest album, Octane. At the center of the space sat Toliver’s personal Porsche 911 Dakar, a vehicle fans may recognize from the rollout surrounding Octane, while gallery walls were lined with imagery and spreads pulled directly from the issue.
Finnley Crawford / Hypebeast
Finnley Crawford / Hypebeast
Finnley Crawford / Hypebeast
Finnley Crawford / Hypebeast
Beyond the car itself, the activation offered a closer look into the world surrounding Octane. Fans were able to purchase exclusive merchandise tied to the album, including the now-infamous Octane soda, while limited copies of The Architects Issue were available for signing by Toliver throughout the afternoon. Guests also received promotional Hypebeast x CART Department x Don Toliver T-shirts while supplies lasted.
More than 400 people passed through the gallery over the course of the day, turning a magazine launch into something closer to a gathering of fans connected by music, cars and the culture that exists between them. The activation also served as a fitting lead-in to Toliver’s New York City tour stop later that evening at Madison Square Garden.
To read Don Toliver’s full cover story from Hypebeast Magazine Issue 37: The Architects Issue, head here. Copies of the issue are available now via HBX.
