Why You Should Know Opening Ceremony
By Erin Mayer
, last updated July 24, 2011
The name Opening Ceremony is synonymous with a certain brand of upscale urban cool. Opening Ceremony is both a retail chain and a fashion label. The company is known for its collaborations and the support it provides to emerging American and international talent. Each year, Opening Ceremony represents the unique cultural and commercial atmosphere of a different country by re-creating the essence of that country’s traditional consumer experience. The brand’s mission statement is borrowed from the modern day Olympic ceremonies. The Olympics came to merge sports, business, and global participation into one venture. Opening Ceremony aims to accomplish the same while applying these elements toward fashion. This makes of a company that is cutting edge with a strong background of tradition. Successful Opening Ceremony collaborations include the likes of Chloe Sevigny, Spike Jonze, Pendleton, Levi’s, Timberland, Keds, and Rober Clergerie.
There is nothing too cool for an Opening Ceremony girl. Every item is just a little bit unexpected, a little bit odder or sexier than you would predict. Towering platforms with cut-outs, dresses with playful prints and unique shapes, pants with surprising textures. Opening Ceremony’s online shop offers wares for men, women, and children. Some of the best picks on the website are the “OC Exclusives,” a category composed of items made especially for sale through Opening Ceremony. There are super cool and comfy Soludos OC Espadrilles ($35) available in red, indigo, oatmeal, and pink or black liberty prints. Belt a summer sundress with the Tucker Blair for OC needlepoint embroidered belt ($110). Don’t miss out on the animal printed Repetto ballet flats ($400) or the striped Jean Paul Gaultier t-shirts and hoodies ($270). Quirky headgear, heart-shaped rings, and striped messenger bags round out the offerings.
You can find the latest urban "it" items by Alexander Wang, artfully feminine masterpieces like fringed cardigans and draped blouses from Rodarte, and innovative jackets and dresses by Carven. Pick up the Comme des Garcons “Play” Converse hi-tops decorated with a signature red heart with eyes ($105) or the Delfina Delettrez “Teeth” necklace ($975) to toughen up airy blouses. Small items like the Pamela Love “Talon” ring that wraps around two fingers ($625) or a classic button down from Boy by Band of Outsiders ($245-255) gives your wardrobe an instant edgy update. Christopher Kane puts a feminine twist on a leather biker jacket with oversized ruffles on the cuffs and hem ($1,810). Pair it with Proenza Schouler metallic lattice oxfords ($865) and let Maison Michael’s dramatic gold feather hairpiece cut across a tight bun for a sweet-and-spicy combination. Another standout piece is the Peter Pilotto “Thessa” dress ($512), a dress full of whispy draped jersey and printed jacquard.
Opening Ceremony offers an edgy, urban aesthetic. Whether you want to look like an avant garde work of art in a ruched slit dress from the Opening Ceremony house collection ($460) or just want to add some edge to your look with a Maison Michel chainmail headpiece ($4,550), Opening Ceremony is the place to look.
