Iconic Fashion Retailer Opening Ceremony To Close All Stores

Only the good die young. Iconic fashion retailer Opening Ceremony is closing all of its stores — New York, LA, and the fit-out wonderland that is the Tokyo store. A real loss.

More than a shop, OC threw great parties and miscellaneous events, and gave IRL support to good young brands by allowing them to share a podium with legends like Chloe Sevigny and Spike Jonze. Founders Humberto Leon and Carol Lim were never afraid to support a new-comer — they were one of the first to stock now well-known brands like Alexander Wang, Rodarte and Proenza Schouler.

The announcement comes with the news that Opening Ceremony’s trademark is to be sold to New Guards Group, the company behind Off-White. So, while the stores will shut, the OC brand and collection will continue under the 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,” Humberto and Carol 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 the letter in full below.