And another one bites the dust. Beloved downtown New York retailer Opening Ceremony is shuttering all of its stores, including its LA and Tokyo outposts. It's the latest blow to Manhattan's retail landscape, with Barneys, Henri Bendel, and Lord & Taylor stores all having closed its doors last year.
But Opening Ceremony was a different beast, as it was more than just a clothing store. It was also known for throwing some of the most memorable events, shows and parties for fashion week, which included longtime collaborators like Chloe Sevigny, Spike Jonze and Solange.
Its founders, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, were one of the first to transform the act of shopping into an experience, encouraging a sense of discovery by including an eclectic array of brands from all over. (They were one of the first to stock Alexander Wang, Rodarte, and Proenza Schouler.
The announcement comes right on the heels of the news that Opening Ceremony's trademark would be sold to New Guards Group, the company behind Off-White and Palm Angels. While the stores are saying good bye, the OC brand and collection will continue under its new owners.
"We've made a decision to focus on growing Opening Ceremony collection and brand with our new partners, New Guards Group, and expand the designs of Opening Ceremony," the founders wrote in a joint statement. "We are stepping back from multi-brand retail, for a moment, so we can come back with an experience that is just as inspiring, filled with love and relevant for the years ahead as Opening Ceremony has been.
Read, below, for the complete letter.
Photos via Instagram