Opening Ceremony Launches Timely Global Varsity Collection

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Opening Ceremony has held inclusivity and cultural diversity at the core of its mission since its founding in 2002, and as the New York-based retailer gears up for its 15th anniversary, these values have never been more clear. On Friday — the same day President Trump put forth an executive order blocking all refugee admissions to the country for 90 days and blocking citizens of seven nations with largely Muslim populations from entering the country for 120 days — the brand introduced a celebratory capsule collection dubbed the “Global Varsity Collection,” a limited run of globally-inspired pieces.

“We wanted to celebrate the fact that the America we know is comprised of a diverse and expansive group of nations,” said Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, the founders of Opening Ceremony. “To do so through our iconic varsity jacket felt like a perfect way to highlight each country’s unique attributes — through color, symbols and patterns.”

The collection introduces 47 jackets, each representing a different country, with ornate graphics and national symbols — such as intricate beading for the jacket representing Sri Lanka, and an embroidered koi fish for Japan — on flag colors.

If you’re into the collection but aren’t looking to spend anywhere from $525 to to $1,195 on a jacket, don’t worry. The capsule also offers a range of T-shirts, sweatshirts, jersey dresses, and hats with various international flags that start at $55.

The limited run is available now at Opening Ceremony stores and online, as well as SSENSE, Selfridges, and Lane Crawford.