Opening Ceremony's 'A Modern Western'
“So that was the starting point, but they wanted it to be abstract. The look is very earthy, very natural, wearable and fresh. This girl is free but also a bit rebellious, which is good in context of the show.”
Dusty pink silhouettes and bright terra cotta oranges blossomed in Open Ceremony's Fall '17 collection. Inspired by its Californian roots, the New York label bought the notion of powerful femininity to its runway. The Wild West, biker culture and urban city streets were images riveting throughout the show. A graceful strength met the earthy tones and subtle toughness of the otherwise feminine vibe of the clothing.
Opening Ceremony, founded by Carol Lim and Humberto Leon have a cult following. Incorporating fashion, travel and art, Open Ceremony, features an artistic environment allowing a unique diversity of style to flourish. With stores in New York, LA, and Tokyo, displaying selective and emerging designers, bringing lesser known brands to the market is a key part of Open Ceremony's vision. Opening Ceremony's in-house label embodies the iconic and free spiritedness it was founded upon.
It's latest collection displayed in downtown LA marked Open Ceremony's ten year anniversary, with a performance my Wu Tang Clans producer RZA, at the end of the show. The designers said that they were inspired by "Navajo [culture] and the desert and how the West was born; they really loved the Santa Fe vibe of O’Keeffe."
Varsity style jacket with studded detail, chiffon dresses in rosy, dusty hues and scorpion prints. The styles seemed to belong in 19th century saloons with fringed detailed pants, suede and leather meshed with cowboy belts and boots. The transformative aura of the show was a homage to feminine strength and its subtle charm. Velour tracksuits paired with high boots, amid a western story that led to a choreographed fighting scene were the highlights of the show.
The colour scheme was inspired by the paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe of the New Mexico landscape. Amid honey pink and earthy browns and greens the show exquisitely described the rich diversity and history of the west; an inspiration to painters and designers alike.