Shop Talk: Humberto Leon and Eva Chen Of Lucky (Part 1)

November 30, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Eva Chen, with her sunny disposition and enviable wardrobe, is one of Opening Ceremony's favorite people—and we're not alone in thinking that. The web-savvy editor in chief of Lucky, who grew up in downtown New York, is that perfect girl crush: whipsmart, pulled-together, and also incredibly chill (who else would turn "Bad Boys for Life" into their staff anthem?).

It's not surprising that Eva, who recently announced Lucky's merger with online retailer BeachMint, is also a leader on the social media front, with an Instagram following of over 300K fans all eager to see where the "shopping-obsessed New Yorker" is traveling to, noshing on, and of course, wearing.

Recently, our co-founder Humberto Leon invited Eva into our New York flagship store for our latest installment of Shop Talk. And if you've got someone like Eva in the house—who once proudly proclaimed "I have a bag and shoe addiction"—you deliver exactly that—bags and shoes (and snacks for the mom-to-be!) on silver buffet platters, delivered by dapper maiter-types suited in Jonathan Horowitz jackets and pants.

Click to play "Accessories Buffet," and stay tuned for Part 2 this Friday, where Eva teaches Humberto how to perfect in the infamous Eva Chen Pose. Trust, it's not as easy as it looks. 

 

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Good Things In Small Packages

December 1, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Cereal Obsessed? You'll Love This New London Cafe

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Size does, indeed, matter. It matters that a wallet fits perfectly into a bag. It matters when you can feel refreshed in one easy spritz of a bottle. It matters whether an outfit is accessorized with a beanie or a tie. It's the small things—the details, the accents, the happy socks—that give life so much more color. And it is this very reason why your loved ones will adore these small—but impactful—gifts. Petite enough for stocking stuffers and special enough to cross off any wish list, the swag above only proves that small packages do carry weight. 

Shop the 2014 Gif(t) Guide here

Cereal Obsessed? You'll Love This New London Cafe

December 1, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Early risers, rejoice. An actual cereal cafe is opening in Shoreditch, London. Offering everything from modest Corn Flakes to more indulgent Nesquik, and even the expensive imported goods (Lucky Charms, we're looking at you), Cereal Killer Cafe is set to make mornings so much brighter. Masterminded by identical twins, Alan and Gary Keery, the cafe, which will be the first of its type in the UK, will open its doors on December 10. Spread over two floors, it will not just serve cereal but 18 flavors of pop tarts, toast (and all the toppings), and selections from Allpress coffee too. This is basically the ultimate breakfast destination.

Over the past six months, the brothers, who are self-confessed cereal junkies, have secured funding for their venture along with cereal suppliers from America, Australia, France, South Africa, and South Korea. The menu is set to include over 100 types of cereal and 20 different toppings. Even those with dairy intolerances can rest easy thanks to 13 different milks on offer.

It doesn't stop there. For customers who are as passionate about cereal as the founders, cereal memorabilia will even be available to purchase, with everything from vintage Pokémon cereal boxes to retro bike reflectors and moneyboxes on offer. Sure, you can eat cereal at home for pretty much next to nothing, but that's boring, right? Plus here, you get guaranteed fresh milk, more than just the crumbs at the end of the packet, and fellow cereal-loving chums to chat with. Set to open from 7 AM 'til 8
PM, this definitely isn't just for morning types—cereal, after all, doesn't discriminate. 

Cereal Killer Cafe opens Wednesday, December 10

139 Brick Lane 
London E1 6SB, UK
MAPCafe owners (and identical twins) Alan and Gary Keery. Photo courtesy of Cereal Killer Cafe

A New Exhibit Can Tell If Your Clothes Are 'Faking It'

December 1, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Strange And Beautiful: Delfina Delettrez Fall/Winter 2014

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While the popularity of stunningly fake Louis Vuitton handbags and Gucci belts purchased off of Canal Street has surged within the past decade, few savvy shoppers and bargain-hunters realize that this epidemic has been an ongoing trend since the 19th century. Faking It, a new exhibit now on display at The Museum at FIT, explores the various levels of authenticity in fashion spanning back to the mid-1800s. This exhibit has every fast fashion piece you never even knew existed, from original designer garments to licensed copies and counterfeits. 
 
"The main factor that inspired this exhibition was my interest in the rise of fast-fashion knockoffs and the fact that counterfeit purchases have shifted from buying on the streets, to buying items on the Internet," says Faking It curator Ariele Elia. "We wanted to see how far back it really went."

Elia's mission to take the viewer back into the earlier days of counterfeit culture is accomplished. Starting from the beginning, the exhibit examines the first-known logo and unique garments that consisted of Charles Worth's namesake brand, House of Worth. Aiming to differentiate his designs from the rest, Worth was one of the first to sign his label name inside of his own garments as a sign of authenticity. And thus, the forgery of fashion began. 

Skipping ahead to the licensing-heavy era of the 1960s, two wool bouclé Chanel day suits—one an original; the other a licensed copy—are placed side by side to allow the viewer to try and dissect the differences between each. Is it the iconic buttons? The number of pockets? Or perhaps, the recognizable fabrication? 

While the Chanel tweeds and House of Worth labels may seem dated, younger viewers can find solace in the fact that their generation is also just as guilty of giving into the temptation of logo-ripping fashion. The exhibit concludes on a high-calorie note with a display of designer Jeremy Scott's debut collection for Moschino. With glaring yellow logos and flashes of red that mimic the iconic McDonald's logo, the debut collection managed to bring brand-jacking back to the fashion forefront. It also managed to ask the moral and legal question of how much is too much fast fashion.  

Whether you're innocent or guilty of buying into fast fashion, we guarantee that this is the only exhibit where you'll see an original MCM knockoff jacket from Dapper Dan of Harlem across the room from a counterfeit '50s Dior evening gown. 


Faking It runs through April 25, 2015

The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology
560 Fashion Avenue
New York, NY 10018
MAPOn the left is a Chanel day suit from 1966, on the right is a near-identical licensed copy of the same Chanel day suit. Can you spot the differences? All photos courtesy of The Museum at FITThe exhibit features an interactive video that dissects the differences in authenticity behind each Chanel jacket. LA-ba

Strange And Beautiful: Delfina Delettrez Fall/Winter 2014

December 2, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: London May Have The Best Pop-Ups This Season

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This holiday season, all that glitters is 9-karat gold. 

Just in time for the holidays, also known as the most bustling and confusing shopping time of the year, Delfina Delettrez has blessed the world with a sparkly new collection of her eponymous jewelry line at OC. Delivering a twist on her classic Eye and Lip jewelry staples, Delettrez's newest offering features bejewelled and glittery remixes of the iconic and surreal originals.

In a new editorial shot by photographer Ignacio Torres, the delicate jewelry is transported to a galaxy of warm tones and pink sands, far away from the slushy streets and snowstorms of the winter season. 

"The idea behind the imagery was to create a surrealist environment for the jewelry," says Torres. "You can say it's a bit Salvador Dali meets Dune."

With a vast selection of jewelry accessories that any sane female would adore, Delfina Delettrez helps narrow down that holiday shopping list. The only real work left to be done is to find out if bae is more of a lips or eye kind of girl. 


Shop all Delfina Delettrez men's and women's



Clockwise from left: Glittered Lips Piercing Ring in black, Glittered Eye Piercing Ring in pink, Glittered Lips Piercing Ring in red, and Glittered Eye Piercing Ring in green. Photos by Ignacio Torres
From left: Glittered Eye Piercing Ring in pink, Glittered Lips Piercing Ring in purple, Eye Piercing Earring in pink, and Lips Piercing Earring in light pink. Eye Piercing Earring in pink and Lips Piercing Earring in light pink. Eye Piercing Ring in green

London May Have The Best Pop-Ups This Season

December 2, 2014, 9:00 pm

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If the frigid temps and falling flakes didn't tell you it's winter, these pop-ups sure will. From Nordic rooftop bars to hipster winter funfairs and alpine chalets, the seasonal shops around London are booming with holiday spirit and cheer. Here, the best of them all. 

Lodge D’Argent
Granted, there are more ski-themed pop-ups than you could shake a ski pole at in London this winter, but Lodge D’Argent is one of the first and one of the best. Offering a wintry retreat for city slickers and pilgrimaging guests alike, Lodge D’Argent occupies the rooftop terrace of swanky restaurant, Coq D’Argent in Bank. Running with a real après-ski theme so that you can pretend your long day at the office was a long day on the slopes, warm up with a hot toddy or a mulled wine, and quench your thirst with wintry Belvedere cocktails. You’re bound to be hungry too after all that snow ploughing, right? Gooey, cheese fondue and traditional tartiflette are sure to fill a hole. 

Valhalla Vodka Bar
Standing firm and unique, away from the plethora of alpine-themed winter pop-ups, Valhalla Vodka Bar is the Viking-themed rooftop pop-up at Skylounge, Tower Bridge. Cozy and snug, the outdoor pop-up on the 12th floor is fully waterproof and warm thanks to a myriad of outdoor heaters, blankets, and bear hides. Guests can enjoy not only epic views of The Gherkin, The Shard, and Tower Bridge from there but also revel in the delights of Snow Queen vodka cocktails, mulled wine, spiced cider, Scandiavian flame-cooked meats, and damn-good halloumi. Open Wednesday to Saturday ‘til February. 

Winterville
More a pop-up spectacular than a pop-up bar per se, Winterville is brand new this year to Victoria Park, offering residents of the East all the fun (and more) of Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, only without the tourists. Open now and running right through to January 1, visitors can anticipate a truly awesome winter wonderland. There’ll be hot cider bars, festive street food, Ferris wheels, ice rinks, craft beers, roller discos, and giant spiegeltents. 

Scandi-Bird at Bluebird
For classier cocktails and guaranteed Made in Chelsea cast sightings, head to Scandi-Bird at Bluebird, Kings Road’s best social hangout for all aspirant Chelsea residents. Open until Christmas Eve, the Nordic-themed venue is decorated with twinkling fairy lights, fir trees, reindeer skins, and blankets to make it extra snug. Head on down, cozy up on a sofa under a heater, sip Belvedere vodka cocktails, glögg, and mulled wine, and munch on classic Scandi snacks like gravalax on rye. Who needs to go to Scandinavia this winter when Scandinavia has come to us? 

Le Chalet
Restaurateur Des McDonald is intent on making Selfridges even more of a place to be by transforming the roof into all things awesome. This summer it was Q on the Roof, his pop-up BBQ garden restaurant, but now, reinvented for winter, it’s Le Chalet, a cozier, winter reincarnation mimicking that of a ski chalet complete with wintry ferns and timber branches. The mouth-watering food menu created by Q Grill focuses on season-appropriate dishes, with highlights of spit-roast suckling pig, comforting lobster macaroni cheese, and warming apple streusel and custard. Drinks wise, Le Chalet’s "choctail" menu makes hot chocolate even better. Bourbon and coconut hot chocolate

Setting The Twerk Record Straight With Big Freedia

December 2, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Sugarcoated: 'Wild' Words Of Wisdom To Live By

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If you know what twerk means, or what it looks like, you can thank Big Freedia, aka Freddie Jones, aka The Queen Diva, for that bit of information. The ambassador of New Orleans bounce has been all about shaking that ass since the ‘90s.

Unfortunately, if you haven’t seen Freedia and her crew perform, you’re probably seeing a watered-down version (like that of Ms. Miley, who Freedia has recently given lessons to in order to correct that). Luckily, the queen of bounce is making the rounds thanks to her new album Just Be Free. And she’s pretty generous with advice, too. In fact, she's set to publish a memoir, tentatively titled Big Freedia: God Save the Queen Diva, out in 2015. Recently, Opening Ceremony chatted with Freedia before her Brooklyn Bowl show to set the twerk record straight.

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JESSICA CHOU: You recently set the world record for most people twerking at once. What was that experience like?
BIG FREEDIA: It was a lot of fun. Actually I broke the record twice. I broke it here in New York, and then in New Orleans, which brought the record home. Lots of love and lots of energy—people were just so excited to be there. We had about 400-something participants, but there were close to 1,000 people out there spectating. People were really into it, and the city was definitely pumped about it.

Twerking has only gone mainstream recently, but you’ve been doing this since 1999.
Actually before that. Me and Katey Red started in ‘98 or whatever, but there were tons of artists before us. DJ Jubilee, Partners-N-Crime, Ms. Tee, Cheeky Blakk, MC Spud, and so forth. They’re all legendary artists and created the sound.

Is it weird to see twerking jump the shark?
It definitely feels weird sometimes. You know, people representin’, doing what you do, and they’re not involved per se, or didn’t grow up with it, or don’t know how far we’ve been. So sometimes it does bother us, but for the most part, I keep pushing to keep shakin’ ass. Now it’s like, as long as everybody does it, they get an A for effort from me. It shows that people are trying to get it.

To set the record straight, what is the right way to twerk?
You have to know how. Hands on your knees, back upright, and you’ll be able to pop that butt up and down. And it’s just like, practice makes perfect. You can see the motion better if you do it in the mirror, so I suggest everybody practice in the mirror. Practice kinda to the side. You gotta see yourself. Because you want to do it right, especially if you see it done.

In your last FUSE TV show, your creative director said that twerking is going to be over soon.
Those months passed already. It’s not true. I mean, it’ll be over at some point... I just don’t know what point that will be and I don’t think it’s going anywhere anytime soon.

Really? You don’t think it’s going to blow over?
I mean ass is a celebration of life, you know, and I don’t know how you can pass on that so quickly. Just people and their bodies are celebrations of life.

Yeah, and people were all over that Kim Kardashian PAPER cover.
Miss thang, Kim Kardashian just crushed the Internet with that picture. I loved it.

Listen to Big Freedia's new track, "Explode"

Sugarcoated: 'Wild' Words Of Wisdom To Live By

December 2, 2014, 9:00 pm

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In 2012, Cheryl Strayed published Wild, a novel detailing her solo 1,100-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail after losing her mother at the young age of 22. In the same year, Strayed revealed her identity as Sugar, the mastermind behind the wildly popular advice column Dear Sugar on The Rumpus. Now, just a few years later, we are graced with the film adaptation of Strayed's critically acclaimed read. To celebrate the December 5 release, we bring you 10 bits of Sugar advice that made us laugh, cry, and, most importantly, grow. We have a feeling your workweek just got a little bit easier...

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1. "The best thing you can possibly do with your life is to tackle the motherfucking shit out of it." - Column #41: Like An Iron Bell
2. "You don’t have to be young. You don’t have to be thin. You don’t have to be “hot” in a way that some dumbfuckedly narrow mindset has construed that word. You don’t have to have taut flesh or a tight ass or an eternally upright set of tits. You have to find a way to inhabit your body while enacting your deepest desires. You have to be brave enough to build the intimacy you deserve. You have to take off all of your clothes and say, I’m right here." - Column #86: Tiny Revolutions 
3. "You're going to be all right. And you're going to be all right not because you majored in English or didn't and not because you plan to apply to law school or don't, but because all right is almost always where we eventually land, even if we fuck up entirely along the way." - Column #72: The Future Has An Ancient Heart
4. "What's important is that you make the leap. Jump high and hard with intention and heart. Pay no mind to the vision the commission made up. It's up to you to make your life. Take what you have and stack it up like a tower of teetering blocks. Build your dream around that." - Column #51: No Mystery About Sperm
5.  "Don't surrender all your joy for an idea you used to have about yourself that isn't true anymore.” - Column #60: The World Lit By Other People
6. "We all like to think we are right about what we believe about ourselves and what we often believe are only the best, most moral things. We like to pretend that our generous impulses come naturally. But the reality is we often become our kindest, most ethical selves only by seeing what it feels like to be a selfish jackass first." - Column #85: This Is What We Call A Clusterfuck
7. “Most things will be okay eventually, but not everything will be. Sometimes you'll put up a good fight and lose. Sometimes you'll hold on really hard and realize there is no choice but to let go. Acceptance is a small, quiet room.” - Column #64: Tiny Beautiful Things
8.  &

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Basel Bound? We've Got You Covered

December 2, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Art Basel Miami is officially kicking off, which means art and fashion's finest will get to bask in the Florida sun all week. With a schedule packed with more art shows and parties than any mere mortal could ever tackle, the key to a successful Basel excursion is to prioritize. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. We have put together a list of six can’t-miss events to make your Basel trip a breeze. 

Still, "Where to go?" isn’t even the most difficult question—it’s "What to wear?" The prospect of finding the perfect look to complement all of the art you're surrounded by is what nightmares are make of. Luckily, you've awaken to a world where we did all of that work for you. No need to thank us—just don't forget to bring us along next year. Teresita Fernandez at the Lehmann Maupin booth will be a gilded dream. So how do you match an exhibition so heavy metal and reflective? Photo courtesy of @teresitafz on Instagram Moschino Lace Trim Printed Slip Dress in black/gold Opening Ceremony Mini Lele Handbag in black Mykita + Maison Martin Margiela Essential 001 Sunglasses in gold
If this picture is any indication of how the Jeremy Scott x Moschino x Barbie Pool Party is going to go, it is surely going to send Miami into a pretty-pink frenzy. How would we suggest you get your Barbie on? Photo courtesy of @moschino on Instagram Moschino Short-Sleeve Cropped Biker Jacket in fuchsia Moschino Leather Skirt in fuchsia Moschino Vanity Mirror iPhone 5/5S Case in fuchsia Christie's is having this INSANE sale on previously unseen pieces from Andy Warhol's private art collection at the JW Marriott Marquis. Walk in with a look straight out of The Factory, and maybe pick up some sick art. Photo courtesy of @jwmm_miami on Instagram A.W.A.K.E. Floral Printed Bra in floral A.W.A.K.E. Wide Leg Floral Printed Trousers in floral Ope

The Enigma Of Sasquatchfabrix

December 3, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Guessing from the ballooned, cropped pants and slim shirting, where is Sasquatchfabrix based? If you answered Tokyo, you'd be correct.

But what we can’t guess is the designers’ names, who work anonymously under the collective Wonder Worker Guerrilla Band. In the true spirit of graffiti culture, Sasquatchfabrix leads with the end product, allowing the collection to speak for itself.

The result is a super-fresh style not lost in translation: turtleneck/raglan sweatshirt combos, skate-appropriate athletic pants, and spliced tees of rival basketball teams. Even if not much else is known about Sasquatchfabrix (appropriately named after Bigfoot), the easy-to-wear wardrobe kickflips us back to ‘90s nostalgia.

Shop all Sasquatchfabrix here




Rival Sweatshirt in red/white Turn Over Check Shirt in black check Layered Cutsewn Turtleneck in red Joint Pants in black Skate Icon Hoodie in black Rival Cutsewn Tee in ash grey Big Silhouette Pants in black Haguremono Flight Jacket in army

The Gentleman Caller At Spirited

December 4, 2014, 9:00 pm

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This summer, OC got you Tipsy and Tan. Now, we're just getting you tipsy. Meet Fridays at Five, our cocktail series where mixologists at New York City’s white-hot new restaurants create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...

It’s about that time of year when radio stations start playing Christmas songs 'round the clock. The subliminal message? Excess is justifiable—especially when there’s snow to make into snowmen, fireplaces to gather around, and s’mores to be savored.

Luckily, there’s Spirited, a dessert cocktail bar serving strictly sweets and booze, channeling 1920s film noir where whiskey is poured into everything (including the pie). Pair a hot toddy with a floating brownie or a cognac with some blackout cake. And if you’re feeling particularly frisky, mix up The Gentleman Caller—whiskey, dry curacao, blood orange liqueur, and sweet vermouth. A touch classier than straight whiskey (but equally as strong), this drink is best served on the rocks, by the fire, perhaps with a romantic caller by your side. ‘Tis the holiday season, after all.
 

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Name: Zachary T. DeCrescenzo

If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? This is what the man is drinking in "Baby It’s Cold Outside.” It’s so very forward.

Drink of choice: Hendricks, orange bitters, and three cucumber slices on the rocks 

Hangover cure: Fourteen hours of sleep. I actually have alarms on my phone for every single hour, so if I’m ever super wasted I can set them all and have a glass of water every hour.

Best date advice: Know what you’re drinking before you get there. When you have too much of an inner debate, you seem nervous.

Worst pick-up: There was a woman here who was in between doing laundry, and she wasn’t too happy with the wine I served her. She told me, “I have better wine at home. Would you like to join me for a glass?”

What not to do to your bartender: When people complain about the music and ask to change it, that’s definitely a sign that you’ve had one too many. That’s pretty ballsy. That’s liquid courage.

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Exclusive Recipe: The Gentleman Caller
OC Alcohol Scale*: 9 
“It’s a big drink. It’s for people who drink straight whiskey but want a cocktail.”

2 oz Old Overholt Rye Whiskey
3/4 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
3/4 Golden Moon Amer Dit Picon
1/2 oz Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth

Combine ingredients and give it a long stir over ice. Strain over fresh ice and garnish with a lemon twist.


*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now"). The Gentleman Caller. Photos by Jessica Chou What we're working with: whiskey, curacao, amer dit picon, and vermouth. Combine all of your liquids. Add your ice.

Found Object, Found Artist

December 3, 2014, 9:00 pm

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The most astonishing sculptures to emerge in the past few decades come from an artist who had no frame of reference, except her own: the great Judith Scott. As her first comprehensive American retrospective, Judith Scott—Bound and Unbound at the Brooklyn Museum revels in the late artist's brilliant body of work, all done in a relatively short, unintentional career of just 17 years.

Born with Down Syndrome, Scott became deaf as a child and was institutionalized for 35 years in Ohio, before her twin sister Joyce became her legal guardian and moved her to Northern California. Joyce would bring Judith, then in her early 40s, to Oakland's Creative Growth, a studio dedicated to artists with developmental and physical disabilities. For awhile, Judith wouldn't create much except a few uninspired drawings. One day, she moved onto the textile station, and the compelling act of wrapping, rewrapping, and meditating through touch—became her obsession. From then on, she would create a secret world with her hands: complex, sinewy sculptures, concealing found objects like a bicycle wheel or a skateboard until they were bound to satisfaction. 

Seeing so much of Scott’s work collected together—the retrospective showcases about sixty pieces from the artist's career, who, in 2005, died at the age of 61—is like viewing artifacts from another world, or like the manifestation of thought itself. Her use of color and layering are exquisite, ranging from muted tones to brilliantly contrasted bursts of color. “It is truly significant that her work is now being shown at Brooklyn Museum's Sackler Center for Feminist Art,” says Tom Di Maria, the director at Creative Growth, who is featured in this video showing the artist at the art center. “Even a few years ago, it would have been unthinkable for an artist with Down Syndrome to be shown in this context, and not in a disability-only art show.”  

Art is a language unto itself, and for Judith Scott, it was the most direct language she had. 

Judith Scott—Bound and Unbound runs through March 29 

Brooklyn Museum 
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11238
MAPJudith Scott—Bound and Unbound confirms that Judith Scott has finally arrived as one of the most important and original American artists of the past few decades. Photos courtesy of the Brooklyn MuseumHer use of color and layering are exquisite, ranging from muted tones on some pieces to brilliantly contrasted bursts of color on others.Working tirelessly, the sculptor created a formidable and astonishing body of work in just seventeen short years, before passing in 2005. The artist at work, at Oakland's Creative Growth Art Center. 

How To Game The OC Sample Sale: Tips From The Inside

December 3, 2014, 9:00 pm

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'Tis the season of sample sales—and this year's Opening Ceremony sample sale, starting tomorrow and running through the weekend, should be at the top of your list.

All your favorites are here: Jeremy Scott, Acne Studios, Raf Simons, Dries Van Noten, Nasir Mazhar, OC Collection... the list is bold and beautiful. But, with holiday shopping lists piling up and shoppers just as determined as you are, you're going to need a little help from your friends to navigate this one. That's why we're spreading the cheer a little early with a guide on how to game the OC sample sale and nick those pieces you really want. 

Check out our ten must-read secrets below and get ready to win! 

Hours: December 5-6, 11 AM to 8 PM; December 7, 11 AM to 6 PM
Location: 545 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011 

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1. Set Those Alarms 
We get it—no one likes to wait in a long line at the crack o' dawn. The fact is, the earlier you get in, the earlier you'll get out with coveted pieces that the bedheads wish they had. Wear 'em to brunch. 

2. Kill Time In Line 
While you wait in line to get into the sample sale, make sure to window browse all of the various galleries that 22nd Street has to offer. Like those killer Martin Puryear sculptures. Also—this is a great time to check your Hinge matches or send a witty tweet about how "I never wait in line, so this better be worth it. #OCSampleSale." (It'll be worth it, trust us.) 

3. Scout
Speaking of killing time, if you’re going to wait in a line, you might as well use the time to strategize your shopping game plan. When fellow shoppers are exiting the sample sale, strike up a chat and ask them where they think the best sections of are. They won't be stingy—after all, they already got their goods. 

4. Friends Who Shop Together, Stay Together 
Sample sales are a battle that no one should have to fight on their own. The more members on your team, the better. While friends are the perfect shopping companions to keep you entertained and tell you how you really look in that Hood by Air shirt, shopping with them can be a mutually beneficial experience. Use them to tag team, hold your clothes, and act as your "honest" mirror when a physical one isn't available. 

5. Practice Balance 
It's no secret that the shoe section is usually the most chaotic during a good sale. With a lack of chairs, the most important skill to master is one of balance. If you just found the last pair of size 38s in the Dries Van Noten shoe style while you’re clutching an armful of clothing, your best option is to remain with one foot balanced on the ground while you switch out your shoe. Make sure your eyes stay focused on the task at hand (a.k.a., watching your "yes" pile of clothing).  

The Spirited Definition Behind 'Grin-Fucking'

December 3, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Here at OC, we are struck by how often we end up in everyday conundrums. The ones that land you in the thick of semi (or full-blown) awkwardness, or maybe, the doghouse. 

So, we turned to Simon Collins, the dean of the School of Fashion at Parsons, who after six years in his plum perch, just announced plans to step down at the end of this year. Translation: More time to talk about the rise of "hate gifts." 

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Q: ​This time of year is full of awkward moments. For instance: How do you solve the, "You got me a gift, how sweet! I didn't get you anything" conundrum?

I’ll go one step further. How about the, “You got me a (truly awful) gift (which I hate), how sweet,” conundrum. 

Let’s start with the obvious. If someone you actually like gets you a gift and you didn’t get them one, immediately 'fess up and admit it. Then make it right by getting them something thoughtful and lovely, and maybe some flowers for their partner or a toy for their kid. Better that than some shoddy lie about "not remembering to bring it," etc. Honesty will win here.  

But, now it gets interesting. If someone you don’t particularly care for gets you a gift, it’s probably for ulterior motives: to make you feel bad, or to worm their way into your affections. In both cases, the intention is unsound, so tailor your response accordingly. When it happens to me, I like to make a donation—in the donor’s name—to a worthy charity that they don’t support. For example, if they’re a banker, then perhaps food for the homeless.

To add yet another layer: I’ve noticed of late the rise of "hate gifts." That is, giving something to someone simply because you know they will both hate it and feel obliged to pretend to like it and even use it, all to save face. I’m convinced that parents do this when their children get married. (Mum: “We’ll give this hideous picture to Jimmy now that he’s married that awful Sarah, that’ll teach her.”) 

I like to practice a particular smile for this situation. Whether giving or receiving, adopt a narrow-eyed sneer, then bare your teeth and raise the corners of your mouth. I recently heard this described as "grin-fucking," which is pretty apt. ​

Q: ​Trying to sleep on planes is legitimately one of the hardest things to do. Any tips?

I honestly don’t see the problem. I fly the long haul from New York a dozen times a year and I actively look forward to the journey. I arrive at the airport and polish off a crafty half-bottle of [insert preferred alcoholic beverage here] before boarding. While waiting for take-off, the flight attendant can be relied upon to fill my outstretched hand with a further glass of bubbly. Once in the air, I get to catch up on crap TV and have an entirely decent dinner accompanied by more bubbly and a splash or two of claret. After dessert and cheese, and perhaps the slightest indication of brandy, purely as a digestif of course, then it’s time for the land of nod. What could be easier? 

Oh, hang on. You mean trying to sleep in the back of the plane? I well remember those days and grim they were, too. The only thing that springs to mind is the tip I once heard for those who are scared to fly. The night

Shape-Shifter: Jacquemus Fall/Winter 2014

August 25, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Print Screen: Proenza Schouler Fall/Winter 2014

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If Matisse and Picasso were alive and well, they would probably have high praise for Jacquemus' latest collection. Matisse, for the vibrant hues and perfectly sculpted cut-outs as featured on LE MANTEAU COURT SOLEIL and LA MAILLE TRANSPARENTE. Picasso, for some of the same reasons but also for the designer's uncanny reference to l'oreille (that's French for the ear) as seen in the form of a pocket on the dresses, skirts, tees, and coats. 

Despite the instant allusion to high art, we can see why the latest collection is titled, "La Femme Enfant" (the woman child). It recalls the kind of childhood Crayola drawings worthy of hanging on your refrigerator––but in the form of chic, neoprene separates in primary colors. Stark-electric blues pop against translucent fabrics, while slouchy dresses get structured with the help of quirky cut-outs. Silhouettes are boyish but retain a sense of effortless and femininity via edgy slits and dangerously sheer fabrics. And the oreille motif has us seriously rethinking every boring pocket we ever had.

Jacquemus has a reputation for bringing out the cool French girl in all of us, and this season he delivered. Whether riding our bikes on the Left Bank in Paris, or walking to our local coffee shop in the Lower East Side, these pieces were made for showing off.

Shop all Jacquemus here







Le Manteau Asymetrique in navy/orange La Robe Bateau in navy check La Seconde Peau in navy/white Le Pull Nounours in navy Le Top Col Oreille in sky blue Le Bandeau in yellow

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Print Screen: Proenza Schouler Fall/Winter 2014

October 13, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Lezi Zita Channels The '90s

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Who said New Yorkers don't know how to do color? This Fall/Winter 2014, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the beloved Proenza Schouler boys, were color starved and pattern crazy.

Inspired by artist Ron Nagle's glazed and curiously distorted ceramics, specifically those showcased at the 55th Venice Biennale, this season has you seeing some intricate, visceral, and yes, trippy prints. The designers experimented with patterns like speckle- and crackle-print and tigerlike wood-grain. Pioneering the art of juxtaposition, the duo paired said prints with Working Girl-era silhouettes, hitting the mark with draped shoulders and pinched pleating with the Boucle Jacquard Jacket. For the Flock Print Crepe Suiting Pants, a woodcut-like animal print finds its home on a high-waisted, tapered leg cut that would impress past, present, and future art dealers.

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Splatter Tissue Jersey Tee in white/black Splatter Print Turtleneck in black/white Flock Printed Wood Grain Dress in nude/black/crimson Boucle Jacquard Jacket in aqua/black Wool Cashmere Rib Sweater in light grey melange Boucle Jacquard Skirt in aqua/black Splatter Print Long Skirt in black/white Flock Print Crepe Suiting Pants in slate moire 

Lezi Zita Channels The '90s

December 3, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Knitwear, Meet Sexy: Kim Haller Fall/Winter 2014

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It’s no secret that Opening Ceremony surrounds itself with the most unique personalities in the game—staff included! If you’ve walked into any of our brick and mortars, you’ve definitely said hello to a few friendly faces. As part of our weekly #OCFaves series, get to know our team as they pick out their favorite new arrivals and turn 'em sartorial.

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Who: Lezi Zita from OCNY women's shop
Where are you from? New York, New York
Tell us what you’re wearing here: I'm wearing the Faustine Steinmetz Handwoven Pleatable Jacket in navy, Opening Ceremony Vert Stripe Raglan Mockneck Sweater in eclipse blue, Thomas Tait Flat Front Trousers in red, and carrying the Opening Ceremony Athena Small Lunch Bag in denim. 
And your own personal twist: My earrings
If this outfit were any TV or movie character, it would be: Cole Brown's girlfriend in Martin
Favorite fashion slang: Eccentric 
Song or mixtape you’ve been obsessed with lately: Anything by La Femme 
Last movie you watched on Netflix: The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
iPhone or Android: iPhone 
iMessage or FaceTime: iMessage
Last moment that made you truly LOL: Every day
Last good art you saw: Garage art in SoHo 
Favorite spot to people watch: All over—it's my favorite hobby!
Biggest fashion pet-peeve: Too many to name  
Favorite emoji icon: The glowing heart 
Favorite #hashtag to use:  #tbtOCNY women's associate Lezi Zita in her #OCFaves: Faustine Steinmetz Handwoven Pleatable Jacket in navy, Opening Ceremony Vert Stripe Raglan Mockneck Sweater in eclipse blue, Thomas Tait Flat Front Trousers in red, and carrying the Opening Ceremony Athena Small Lunch Bag in denim. (items not linked are available in stores and online soon). Photo by Michael Elijah Faustine Steinmetz Handwoven Pleatable Jacket in navy Opening Ceremony Vert Stripe Raglan Mockneck Sweater in eclipse blue

Knitwear, Meet Sexy: Kim Haller Fall/Winter 2014

December 4, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Shop Talk: Humberto Leon and Eva Chen Of Lucky (Part 2)

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When one hears the words velvet yarn, chunky knits, and soft wovens, the definitions of sultry and sophisticated are rarely associated. Luckily, for the ladies who prefer to feel a little flirtatious without the standard lacy frills and corset boning, designer Kim Haller has come to the fashion forefront with her own eponymous clothing line. 

After having spent the last 20 years knitting her way into the fabrication of iconic brands such as Calvin Klein and DKNY, the seasoned designer is taking her knitwear knowledge to the next level with her rule-breaking brand's sophomore collection. This season, having mastered her craft of combining various yarns with complex stitches, Haller has managed to introduce a collection that both flatters and comforts the wearer while bringing out their inner sex kitten. 

"I like mixing different yarns, like a sheer yarn with something shiny or something matte," says the designer. "I also like the idea of women being comfortable in their bodies, and being provocative but still sophisticated at the same time."  

For Haller's Fall/Winter collection, the bodysuit gets an elevated touch with a slimming leotard decorated with contrast geometric shapes while the high-waisted Perla Briefs manage to elongate the female form. Keeping up with the true knitwear aesthetic, the cardigan and sweater also get an updated touch thanks to Haller's extreme attention to detail and preference for the finest of Italian yarns. 

A collection where women can finally feel comfy and alluring at the same time? Count us in. 

Shop all Kim Haller here  Ella Bodysuit in black/ivory Scarlett Dress in black/bronze Skyler Sweatshirt in black/bronze Ivy Leggings in black/burgundy Victoria Sweater in black/black

Shop Talk: Humberto Leon and Eva Chen Of Lucky (Part 2)

December 4, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: The New Classic: Loewe's Change-Up, Under J.W. Anderson

≪ Previous: Knitwear, Meet Sexy: Kim Haller Fall/Winter 2014

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Thanks to Eva Chen, our accessories game is on point. Now, in our second installment of Shop Talk, the Lucky editor in chief schools us on the art of the selfie. With over 300K followers on Instagram, the purveyor of flattering filters knows the difference between 500 likes versus 5,000—it's all in the pose. (You know you've done a duck face or two...) 

Watch as she shows Humberto how to take a legit selfie using a few of our favorite accessories. Her tips are genious (even if you have an "abnormally large head," the OC New Era Scattered Hands 59Fifty looks great with the right "positioning") and her dream snap is hilarious (hint: it includes Grumpy Cat and a furry pair of Low Classic sneaks). This might be the ultimate #shoefie.

Click to play "Can You Selfie That?" and stay tuned for Part 3 this Monday for The #EvaChenPose Challenge. Huzzah!  

The New Classic: Loewe's Change-Up, Under J.W. Anderson

December 7, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Loewe, until now, has remained a quiet yet luxurious heritage brand. But since Jonathan Anderson took the helm as creative director this past September, the native Madrid brand, with headquarters on St.-Sulpice, in Paris, has come on strong in both design and pop culture. 

For his inaugural menswear debut, Anderson designed a collection that is informed by a strong connection to the Spanish brand’s 168-year-old history, and Anderson’s conceptual use of textures, cuts, and thoughtful design, seen in his own namesake label, J.W. Anderson. After becoming inspired by a beachside Vogue Italia shoot from July 1997, shot by legendary photographer Steven Meisel and informed by the work of the American painter Alex Katz, Anderson realized that he could create a collection with sensibilities reaching far beyond the boundaries of fashion—but still keeping ties to its local origins. “My association of Spain was Ibiza,” Anderson recently told The New York Times. “Very linen-y, very cotton-y.” Those sensory components eventually sparked inspiration for the entire collection, the linen-wrapped lookbooks, and even the latest Spring/Summer 2015 ad campaign. The latter, much to the delight of fashion circles, was shot by Meisel and featured an unsual integration of the lensman's original Vogue shoot. 

The result of Anderson’s musings: raw-edged, cardigan-like ponchos, fine-gauged knit sweaters, and attention-grabbing accessories. Take the Merino Wool Ski Knit Sweater, its mosaic-like, almost psychedelic paneling gives it sense of movement. Or the Fringed Cardigan, which could be game for a trek through the Spanish countryside. To play on the simpler side, and also Anderson's clever use of logo: the Anagram T-Shirt adorns Loewe's newly reconfigured insignia, all of which play tribute to Spain’s love of pitting the contemporary with the antique.

Elsewhere, the accessories suggest that no matter how elaborate or subtle the garment, they can provide an artistic, quirky upgrade worthy of praise. Don’t believe us? Just ask Pharrell Williams, who wore the Mecanno Pin and Double Pin on the cover of his latest single, “Gust of Wind.”


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