35 Howard Street
New York, NY
212-219-2688
www.openingceremony.us

Chinatown may not seem like the most likely location for a high-fashion boutique, but Carol Lin and Humberto Leon, the owners of the year-old Opening Ceremony, are changing the neighborhood landscape. Located above an acupressure massage center, the 2500-square-foot unisex store boasts a unique design, with a turntable station for DJ performances and walls lined by mannequins arranged as if they’re deep in conversation. Even more innovative is the inventory: Each season, the store showcases work by 12-4 designers from a specific country. In an effort to be all-inclusive, Opening Ceremony’s prices range from flea-market bargains to boutique splurges. Fashion-savvy Humberto designs the house line, also called Opening Ceremony, which fuses comfort style for both men and women.