On Wednesday, a distinctly Phoenix twist on the trend took place in downtown when a horde of locals dressed up as ubiquitous personal injury attorney Brandon Rafi — whose grinning face adorns countless billboards, buses and benches throughout the Valley — for a lookalike contest.
Hundreds of Valley residents packed the event, hosted by Rafi Law Group on the ninth floor of the upscale X-Phoenix residential tower. There was a party-like atmosphere as attendees posed for photos, grabbed free branded swag from the firm and scoring free eats from Taco Boy's. DJs from Phoenix Top 40 station LIVE 101.5 kept the energy high with a steady stream of dance-worthy hits.
Dozens showed up dressed as the firm’s namesake attorney. Some rocked his signature dark suit and red tie. Others took it up a notch, re-creating his larger-than-life billboard ads. That included 19-year-old Maricopa resident Chloe Adams, who wore a Rafi billboard-inspired costume at this year’s Phoenix Fan Fusion.
Maricopa resident Chloe Adams, whose cosplay of a Rafi billboard at this year's Phoenix Fan Fusion inspired the lookalike contest.
Benjamin Leatherman
“It's awesome that my costume at (Fan Fusion) was the spark for this,” Adams says.
Other contestants went all out. A local cosplayer who goes by Mastiff built a 12-foot-long Valley Metro bus out of cardboard. It turned heads and took first place. The judges, including Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, awarded her the top prize of $2,500 in cash. Gilbert resident Ethan Vowles snagged second and $1,500 for his cutout costume of a bus, complete with a hand-painted Rafi ad. Chloe Adams placed third and took home $1,000.
Here’s a look at the best costumes at the Rafi lookalike contest.
Mesa resident Landi Patchin was one of the many participants of the Rafi lookalike contest in downtown Phoenix.
Benjamin Leatherman
Local artist Allie Giambalvo, left, created a costume and painting inspired by a graffiti-covered Rafi billboard she spotted in Phoenix.
Benjamin Leatherman
Judges for the Rafi lookalike contest — including Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, second from right — evaluate contestants’ costumes.
Benjamin Leatherman
Alana Colby of Phoenix busted out with a leftover Rafi costume from last Halloween.
Benjamin Leatherman
Liz Best of Phoenix poses with her miniature fox terrier, Jack, dressed as Ruffi the "Paw-ccident Attorney.”
Benjamin Leatherman
Phoenix attorney Brandon Rafi, center, just before the winners of the contest were revealed.
Benjamin Leatherman
