Lookbooks

I can’t speak for the rest of the globe but in London I’d say we’ve grown fairly disenchanted with Olympic fever. Fortunately, our fair city was given another Opening Ceremony to be excited about with the launch of the first European Opening Ceremony store last week.  Perhaps not inextricably linked to the untrained eye, the brand actually based its ethos around the international eclecticism of the Olympics so I like to think a long, leisurely visit was my national duty.

Situated within the retail bustle of King Street in Covent Garden, the glimmering new store is sure to invoke a little kid in a candy store syndrome. Boasting womenswear, menswear, kidswear and even a dedicated collaboration corner with iconic London bookstore Claire de Rouen, this effervescent space is infused with the brand’s multifaceted spirit. And you’ll want to buy one of everything.

Spread across two storeys, the majority of the ground floor is given up to the brand’s delectable womenswear plus celebratory capsule collections from in-demand designers and brands including Norma Kamali and Proenza Schouler who have created a special version of their covetable mini PS11 bag in shiny, shiny gold (beats a gold metal any day). In amongst the crevices of the sparse white space, you’ll find pretty curated tea trays of statement accessories and selected favourites from the backlog of Chloe Sevigny’s collections for the brand, cherry-picked by the woman herself.

Though compact, the adjoining menswear section boasts the juiciest offerings. From the covetable mainline spring/summer collection - where varsity, colour blocking and micro paisley unite - to the KTZ and Christopher Shannon collaborations, Londoners are bound to be wooed just as New Yorkers were, back in 2002.  Potentially the star of this sporty show, the brand new adidas Originals x Opening Ceremony collection is also nestled within these rails. For those who haven’t already witnessed it, think nineties street crossed with heritage adidas.

The spacious basement floor possesses more of a laid-back, browsing ambiance. With Claire de Rouen’s collection of rare first editions and inspirational coffee table volumes on one side, and a casual accessories table on the other, the brand successfully achieve that exclusive shopping experience vibe. Together with a range of unisex pieces from brands including Pendleton, the brands multifaceted dream is complete.

London 2012, maybe you’re not all bad.

The permanent Opening Ceremony space is set to open at 35 king Street in the Fall.