Opening Ceremony Arrives in Europe

Carol Lim and Humberto Leon's debut European Opening Ceremony store opened today in London's Covent Garden. Located at 31-32 King Street, the pop-up store runs until autumn, when a larger space will open down the road at 35 King Street. 

The label opened its first store in New York 10 years ago and also has stores in LA and Tokyo. The London store stocks the brand's own ready-to-wear and accessories for women, men and kids, as well as designer collections and signature collaborations including the adidas x Opening Ceremony range of sporty separates. To toast the new two-floor shop and the London 2012 Games, the brand has teamed up with the likes of Norma Kamali, Topshop, Christopher Shannon and House of Holland for capsule collections. Additionally, OC Annual, a new collectible fashion and culture magazine by Opening Ceremony, will launch in August with a focus on sports, and to toast its 10th anniversary, the fashion brand is publishing a 300-page illustrated book with Rizzoli, featuring contributions by many of OC's collaborators and friends including Chloë Sevigny and Terry Richardson, out September 4.

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Adidas Originals x Opening Ceremony preview

End Clothing's words:

Ingeniously combining elements of 90′s street culture with swimming and cycling apparel, Adidas Originals and Manhattan-based fashion house Opening Ceremony have joined forces to release a highly limited capsule collection for Autumn/Winter 2012. Commemorating and influenced directly by the London 2012 Olympic Games, the mainly unisex collection infuses layers of bold colour and patterned prints with functional performance fabrics such as neoprene and dry-swim spandex to create a contemporary sportswear collection. 

The first drop from the collaboration showcases Opening Ceremony’s iconic ‘Bandana’ print in all its glory, with the strong paisley-like pattern featuring on tees, jackets and footwear. This is used to most striking effect in their selection of crew neck tees which utilise a patch panel construction to create a typically bold and individual look and feel. A number of tees also add a touch of functionality with the addition of a zip closure chest pocket. The range of apparel is completed by the innovative Reversible Anorak, which is available in Navy and Off-White colourways. The jacket features the strong OC Print on one side, whilst the other is a simple block colour; both of which feature simple front pockets and half-zip fastening. 

The capsule collection is rounded off with a range of striking footwear which follows on neatly from the apparel. One of the most notable styles is Opening Ceremony’s unique take on the classic Saddle Derby Shoe. Constructed from opaque rubber, the OC Dress Rubber evokes childhood memories of jelly shoes, with the see-through uppers showing the internal bandana print on the insole. For those, who want to keep you feet under wraps, the Swim Boat shoe features mesh underlays with OC Print overlays and a spring-loaded fastening system to enhance technical performance.

All images via End

Opening Ceremony x adidas Originals Capsule Collection

Altogether there are 70 pieces of apparel and 20 footwear styles in the collection, all of which will be available from adidas Originals and Opening Ceremony stores in July and August 2012. Prices vary from $75 USD (approx. £48) up to $630 USD (approx. £400).

Grab your cards - Opening Ceremony sale

Big fan of Opening Ceremony over here. Founded in Hong Kong in 2002 by Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, they represent wholeheartedly, at least for me, what a label should be like nowadays - collaborative, different and fun. I think bygone are the days that everyone needs to conform to push forward and get ahead because where will you get if you're offering products that are basically the same as someone else. OC embraces an alternative culture and as such are able to present something very quirky and unlike anything you've seen or likely to see. They host events, they interact with their fans which I think is very important when you remember that social media is a mainstay in our society and as such being on a level with the people who keep you up there is paramount in maintaining and continuing success.

They have celebrity fans that range from Chloe Sevigne to Alexa Chung and they collaborate with every brand imaginable including Gitman Bros., Rodarte, Pendleton and Reyn Spooner. I love the whole concept of the brand and hope that I'm able to visit the store in NYC in the near future.

Speaking of the store they currently have a titanic sale on and after a thorough look through I've picked my favourite pieces that could help cripple my wallet. Take a look.

Gerlan Jeans Appalachian Anorak, $ 370.00 148.00. The print on this coat is insane, it kind of drums up the image of the Burberry Prorsum storm jacket at Park & Bond

Monitaly Riders Coat, $ 805.00 242.00

Warriors of Radness mod cargo pant, $ 185.00 56.00. I love these, and that's saying something because I'm not a fan of the recent trend of elasticated cuffs but here I can make an exception.

Opening Ceremony wool cargo pant, $ 345.00 104.00. I love these because they put a new twist on the cargo ant by using a pattern rather than one colour.

Pendleton Meets Opening Ceremony cargo pant, $ 370.00 111.00.

Assembly New York longrise pants, $ 240.00 72.00. Made in the USA, classic khaki pants with button and zip fly with unfinished seams.

Great floral 90/10 wool and cashmere workshirt from Opening Ceremony, $ 195.00 59.00

All Gitman Brothers x Opening Ceremony
1.  Brodie hunter BD long sleeve shirt, $ 165.00 99.00
2. Tan cheetah basic shorts, $ 150.00 45.00
3.  Japan/America basic long sleeve shirt, $ 165.00 99.00

Mark McNairy New Amsterdam San Salvador Burro Boot in a. tan, b. navy, c. grey, d. chocolate
$ 125.00 88.00

I hope you like what I've chosen, I do (just bought the San Salvador boots in tan). Check my other GYC features and grab yourself a bargain.