It's hard to believe that it's been four whole months since we welcomed into the world the latest addition to the OC family--our specially curated, travel-centric shop at the Ace Hotel.  It seems like yesterday we were setting up the pepperoni pizza couch, lining the walls with Fjallraven rainbows, and resisting breaking open the many bags of Haribo we've got hanging over there.  And all we can say is, boy, do they grow up fast!  But we also know there comes a point when you have to let your young one spread its wings...

So, without further ado, we proudly present sister site and premier destination for all your globetrotting desires: Opening Ceremony at Ace Hotel Online (ace.openingceremony.us)!  Showcasing the best in lifestyle specialties--both practical (beach towels, toothbrushes, city maps) and fanciful (dominoes, and DVDs) -- OC @Ace Online provides all the sweet, strange, and special things we need on the fly, but love for life.

Oh, and how could we forget to mention that the site is making its debut on another verrrry important day that we've been counting down to this month, Humberto's birthday! Happy Birthday, Humberto! May all your feather pen-written wishes and Haribo dreams come true!

Got something to say about it? Let us know! Email us your questions, comments, and feedback about the soft-launch of our new site to online@openingceremony.us.

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FILED UNDER: ocace, ace hotel, oc online, shop-in-shop, care packages, haribo, The Criterion Collection, Tumi

If we had a dollar for every time someone called us asking about these, we could buy the whole collection, fly to Nice, and charter a yacht to Corsica for the week. But since we don't, we'll just save you the call and let you know this limited collaboration (only 100 of each style!) are finally here and ready to take you on summer vacay. You can even steal my dream vacation plans... what are you waiting for!?

shop tumi x oc here and at OCNY, OC at Ace Hotel, and OCLA! MORE

FILED UNDER: tumi, collaboration, travel, ace hotel, tumi x opening ceremony, ocace

“What's better than NY and pizza?” – Andrew Kuo

Our buddy’s got a point, and that’s why he created these awesome googly eyed tees just for Opening Ceremony. While the standard I <3 NY shirt is like the Where's Waldo uniform for tourists, the locals and the foreign set alike have been snatching these up like hot cakes. Or rather, like slices of Artichoke Pizza… mmm… MORE

FILED UNDER: andrew kuo, new york, ace hotel, collaboration, ocace

Whether you frequent OCNY, LA, Tokyo, ACNE, or this blog, it’s likely that you’ve gotten to know some of us pretty well. So, it’s about time to take this relationship to the next level and acquaint you with our better halves: our pets!

Cute overload this way! MORE

FILED UNDER: ocny, ocla, ocjp, acne studio, pets, staff, ace hotel, ocace

With summer right around the corner, there's no better time to hit the road and get out of dodge. Summer is also the best time to discover new movies; whether it's a big-budget new release in theaters or an old classic on DVD, an evening indoors with the AC on overload can sometimes be just what you need. Opening Ceremony at Ace Hotel is lucky enough to offer the complete library of Criterion Collection DVD titles. Inspired by summer road trips, I took to the shelves and scanned the DVD spines in search of three American road movies that are slightly off the beaten path: MORE

FILED UNDER: greg luna , TWO-LANE BLACKTOP, SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS, MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO, ace hotel, ocace, criterion collection, staff

I recently took a trip to London and, with a little help from an Icelandic volcano, the wind and the European Commission, my return flight was canceled turning my five day hop across the pond into a ten-day romp through East London's Shoreditch neighborhood.
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FILED UNDER: london, volcano, ace hotel, travel, ocace

The future’s so bright, you not only gotta wear shades – but you gotta have options too. Lucky enough, that’s just what we’re giving you with our assortment of glasses from Barton Perreira. Handmade in Japan using only the finest materials, Barton Perreira’s eyewear is designed in house from the ground-up, ending with a comprehensive review of every minute detail for sheer perfection.  OC at Ace's special partnership with Barton Perreira features sun lenses in optical frames we hand picked to curate this collection exclusive to Opening Ceremony. Check out some of our OC Ace staff sporting their favorite style in both optical and exclusive sunglass form!
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FILED UNDER: Barton Perreira, ace hotel, ocace

The last two days at Coachella were a total whirlwind. Nonstop travel, shows, and parties for three days straight can do a number on your biological clock (to the point where even a cramped plane seat seems like an attractive resting spot.)  After all the fun and madness, I'm glad to be back at home base.  Here's some more snaps from the weekend. MORE

FILED UNDER: coachella, ace hotel, palm springs, hot chip, mgmt, travel, ocace

Best known for their impeccably tailored suits and slim-cut shirts, Band of Outsiders has now expanded their menswear line to include a selection of luxurious cotton pajamas, exclusive to Opening Ceremony. With the same expert design and attention to detail, the brand delivers four classic styles that practically spell leisure.
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FILED UNDER: ace hotel, band of outsiders, exclusive, pajamas, ocace

As a New York resident for all of my twenty-two years, I can decidedly say that I have a pretty good grasp on the city. Residing Downtown and  going to school Uptown, I’ve done a sweep of Manhattan neighborhoods so thorough that I joke about being able to identify any block on the island just by looking at a photo of it, though I actually probably wouldn’t be too bad at the task. That’s why there’s always a thrill when it comes to New York hotel rooms. It’s a glimpse at an impermanent life in a place that’s always been home. It’s a place for people who don’t already have self-prescribed favorite walking routes in each part of town, and who don’t have to worry about their upstairs neighbors being too noisy because chances are they’ll have new ones by tomorrow. Add in a slightly saccharine staff, and you don’t always get New York – but a skewed reality of it. MORE

FILED UNDER: the Breslin, Ace Hotel, Stumptown Coffee, ocace

Alexander Wang and Opening Ceremony's mutual love finally manifests itself in a collaborative brainchild made exclusively for our Ace Hotel and online shops. Taking standards from both brands, we’ve combined our seasonal tote bag with Alexander Wang’s signature leather and studding – available in both silver and black studs. Perfectly sized to pack your Haribo gummies, Walker’s Crisps, McSweeney's books, Madlibs, and whatever else you may grab at our Ace store to keep you sane during a day-long retreat about town. Now all you have to do is decide between the two.

shop opening ceremony for alexander wang here!

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FILED UNDER: alexander wang, opening ceremony for alexander wang, ace hotel, ocace, collaboration, exclusive, opening ceremony

Meet Jon, Australian transplant and sales associate at Opening Ceremony at Ace Hotel.

Name: Jon Bucceri
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
 
What clothing item do you most wish you owned? Minx Nails!
What are you excited to wear this summer?  Patrik Ervell Tweed Shorts
Summer uniform:  bare ankles
Style inspiration: OC Ace co-worker, Caoilfhionn
Favorite place for brunch: in bed
Favorite place for a cheap meal: Bacaro
Favorite designers at OC: Patrik Ervell, Happy Socks, Fjallraven Backpacks, Haribo candy

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FILED UNDER: ocace, ace hotel, staff, Jon Bucceri

As if our brand new shop at the Ace Hotel weren't enough reason to visit the oft-overlooked Flatiron District, we're happy to report that the Ace has imported other New York gems to its burgeoning hospitality mecca located at the corner of 29th St. and Broadway.  We had the pleasure of sitting down to a family-style lunch at the (painfully delicious) Breslin Bar and Dining room with some of our new neighbors.  Check out pics of the friendly proprietors of the Breslin, Ace Hotel, Stumptown Coffee, No. 7 Sub Shop, and Project No. 8A, and a brief description of why you have to check out each and every one of our new neighbors! MORE

FILED UNDER: the Breslin, Ace Hotel, Stumptown Coffee, No. 7 Sub Shop, Project No. 8A, alex calderwood, ocace

At Ace, we want to make sure you feel your best from head to toe. And how do you expect to get that extra spring in your step? By walking in yourself and walking out a Minx, of course. Come to Opening Ceremony at Ace Hotel on Saturdays between 12pm-5pm and get Minxed by our absolute favorite manicurist, Tracylee!  She offers a spectrum of options, from solid colors to leopard prints, to variations of metallics, plaid, tie dye, and more.
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FILED UNDER: ace hotel, minx nails, beauty, ocace, Diane Lin

Allow us to introduce you to Caoilfhionn, the latest member of the sales team at OC at the Ace.

Name: Caoilfhionn ("kee-lin")
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Winter uniform: Aran sweaters and denim
Worst trend you've ever followed:  Jen Aniston's "Friends" hair....eek.
I love when the opposite sex wears:  L.L. Bean
Favorite designers at OC: Band of Outsiders, Opening Ceremony, Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony
Favorite place for cheap meal:  Warma in Brooklyn MORE

FILED UNDER: ace hotel, staff, ocace, Caoilfhionn Gifford

On Saturday night, our friends made their way to our Ace store to inaugurate our new store opening with a dinner at The Breslin, ACE’s delectable restaurant. Check out the happenings of the beginning of our evening... MORE

FILED UNDER: ace hotel, party, ocace

To celebrate our ninth year in business, frame making gurus Illesteva have given us quite the stunning birthday gift – and don’t worry, it’s one that you can get your hands on. Their new limited eyewear collection, Illesteva für Opening Ceremony im Ace Hotel, includes three models that are limited to only three pieces each. Produced in one of Germany’s oldest eye wear factories, Illesteva spared no expense when hand-crafting each style.
 

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FILED UNDER: illesteva, sunglasses, ace hotel, countdown, ocace

When you’ve checked out of your hotel room and rush to JFK to catch the red eye home, all you really have to look forward to in the near future is maybe getting some rest on the long way home.  Lucky for you, one of our favorite designers, Phillip Lim, has created just the thing to assure that you do so in style. This multi-use super soft  blanket works as a shawl to sport while you’re waiting for your taxi, a blanket to cozy up to at the terminal gate, a hooded cape to keep off the in-flight chills, and wraps up into a pillow to snuggle with (hopefully you got the window seat). As if that isn’t enough, he threw in an eye mask to assure you get the rest you deserve.  What more is there to ask for?

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FILED UNDER: 3.1 phillip lim, phillip lim, ace hotel, countdown, ocace

Sunday, February 14th, Opening Ceremony will open its second location in New York City at the new Ace Hotel this February. the 1500 square foot space has 20 foot ceilings and entrances facing Broadway and the bustling Ace Hotel lobby. Divided in half, one side masculine, one side feminine, the shop will feature Opening Ceremony’s unexpected retail touches.
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FILED UNDER: ace hotel, tumi, maison martin margiela, proper attire, alexander wang, proenza schouler, comme des garcons, kiehl's, mcsweeney's, criterion collection, barton perreira, band of outsiders, countdown, ocace

You can bet we know a thing or two about travel.  Between buying trips to Europe four times per year, visits to our Japan and LA stores, international inspiration hunts, and the occasional vacation here and there, we have tested many a travel bag.  When Carol, our CEO and co-founder, began her career after college, she purchased a beloved Tumi carry-on.  The bag, which maintains its near perfect condition till this very day, is all about durability, utility, and no frills precision--the essential attributes that make Tumi luggage the perfect complement to our growing Ace shop assortment. MORE

FILED UNDER: ace hotel, countdown, tumi, collaboration, carol lim , travel, countdown, ocace

In case you thought the Opening Ceremony collaborations could go no further, we have expanded into new and even-more-unexpected terrain: condoms! A few months back when we envisioned our perfect travel shop and all of the essentials it would one day contain, condoms were obviously on the list. And finally, a few months later, we're ready to unveil the final product. MORE

FILED UNDER: proper attire, collaboration, ace hotel, alexander wang, countdown, opening ceremony, keith haring, ocace

A style perhaps as antiquated as some see letter writing itself, the feather pen has seen a variety of notable historical patrons - from John Hancock to Cher Horowitz, and now you as you write postcards home from your hotel room. This feather pen bears as much of an importance as the previous historical artifacts mentioned, as it marks our collaboration with one of our favorite and most revered labels, Maison Martin Margiela. As the first co-branding project in Margiela's history, the Maison Martin Margiela for Opening Ceremony pen features a white Bic pen adorned with either an Ostrich or a Goose plume, all in white. We propose that it may just make letter writing come back after all. MORE

FILED UNDER: ace hotel, margiela, collaboration, countdown, ocace

When room service isn’t cutting it, we have just the thing to nurse your late night cravings. We scoured to find you the best supply of Haribo gummies you’ve been stalking your corner bodega to find with no avail. Frogs! Smurfs! Alphabet letters! We’ve got all of your old favorites and plenty new ones to feed your sugar high. MORE

FILED UNDER: haribo, ace hotel, countdown, ocace

And so begins our countdown to the grand opening of our new store at the Ace Hotel, our second ever New York location. Filled with our favorite souvenirs and travel necessities we don’t think anyone should live without, if we couldn’t find it, we were sure to make it for you. Enter our toiletry travel kit, filled with a toothbrush, Colgate toothpaste, a tube squeezer, and dental floss on a keychain all kept in a clear Opening Ceremony travel case. You may just want to conveniently forget to pack your own on your next stay at the Ace…


FILED UNDER: ace hotel, countdown, collaboration, ocace

In February 2010, Opening Ceremony expands to open a second New York location at the Ace Hotel. With a mutual appreciation for classic American heritage and internationalism, Opening Ceremony and Ace make a perfect couple. Opening Ceremony at the Ace brings a clever and comprehensively curated assortment of the travel necessities collected expressly for Ace’s clientele of traveling creative professionals and culturally curious tourists alike. With one side of the shop dedicated to men’s essentials, and the other for women’s, the entire 1,500 square foot space is packed with hand-picked favorites including Haribo snacks, Walker's English crisps, international and domestic magazines, McSweeney’s books, European toiletries, KieHl's travel sets, Criterion Collection DVDs and many more. Opening Ceremony’s seasonal clothing collection is also available alongside the selection of travel items and souvenirs. MORE

FILED UNDER: opening ceremony, ace hotel, countdown, ocace, leong leong

In celebration of their latest issue, CRUSH Fanzine is taking their obsessions out of their pages and into the ACE Hotel for a pop up shop full of their most recent desires. This time tackling French Cinema, CRUSH used their discerning curatorial eye to deck out ACE’s loft suite for items with that certain je ne sais quoi. Look for 50% off items from Opening Ceremony and ACE Hotel, among other brands and one of a kind products.

Be sure to check out CRUSH’s latest issue with cover belle de jour, French actor Salim Kechiouche. Following up to our fall shoe ad in CRUSH’s last fetish- themed issue, the ad we created especially with CRUSH this time around features a vignette of two lovers/fighters donning the Chloë Sevigny x Opening Ceremony collection. If you can't make it to the pop up shop, you can find the latest issue of CRUSH Fanzine at Opening Ceremony New York.
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FILED UNDER: crush fanzine, ace hotel, ocace

Think back to a simpler time: when nights were spent playing truth or dare while noshing on milk and cookies and the dress code was a matching set of PJs. Well, after Wednesday, Nov 18, you wont have to think back too long as Creative Time is hosting a grown-up slumber party with Carol, Humberto, and a slew of our friends at the Ace Hotel.

Since 1974, the public arts organization Creative Time has pioneered the development of new forms of art and media, most notably Art in the Anchorage and the 9/11 memorial Tribute in Light. Wednesday’s party is held in a more lighthearted note, a benefit to celebrate the launch of a set of plush pajamas designed by Will Cotton.

Stocked with champagne and midnight snacks by the Breslin, tickets will get you access to the treats, tarot card readings, and a dance party set to the tunes of Fischerspooner and Matt Creed. The dress code is boudoir and bachelor pad, so come dressed to impress or pick up a pair of Will Cotton’s PJs (who will be on hand to sign your pair) to assure that you’ve got the best outfit of the night.

Purchase your tickets here
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FILED UNDER: ace hotel, creative time, carol lim , humberto leon , ocace