Happy Monday! Welcome to the last Confessional in the month of March. This week we have a quick one for you featuring Opening Ceremony’s Carol Lim. She’s another New Yorker transplanted from the San Fernando Valley and she’s one smart cookie who used to work in investment banking!
In 2002, Lim and her longtime friend and business partner, Humberto Leon, opened one of New York’s best indie retail stores that each year features the fashion from a single chosen country. This year get your fix of Sweden…
Five years and a Proenza Schouler/Target whirlwind later Lim prepares to cut the ribbon at Opening Ceremony Los Angeles. They’ve also recently launched their own clothing line of the same name. Way to keep the torch burning!
Name and Age, please:
Carol Lim, Age 32
Marital status:
Single
Where are you from?
Born in the Valley, CA!
How long have you lived in New York?
for 7 years
What neighborhood in NY do you live in?
East Village
What are your favorite memories of New York since living here?
Well, they range from a bike ride to the cloisters to right before the lights went on at The Hole on Saturday nights back in the summer of 2004.
Where did you go to college and what did you study?
UC Berkeley, Development Economics
Where were you working before you started your own business?
Working as a merchandiser at a small luxury fashion company, before that…investment banking.
How did Opening Ceremony start? And, how did you and your partner Humberto Leon meet?
HL and I met our first year at Berkeley. We were instant buddies….the kind of buddies that would meet for breakfast before class, ditch class together to go to the Oakland Salvation Army or drive to San Francisco late nights to go listen to trip hop (remember, this was a long time ago!).
Little did we know that a holiday to Hong Kong would turn into what is now Opening Ceremony. We were quite inspired from our consumer experience there that we thought it would be a great idea to bring that experience back to New York. After some thought, we combined many elements that were important to us and came up with the idea of Opening Ceremony.
Tell me about the name of your company? What does it mean to you?
The company is based loosely on the Olympics, so the name is quite appropriate. I really like the celebration aspect of the name.
Who is your target Opening Ceremony customer?
Opening Ceremony was created for everyone. Really…it was and is. Humberto and I love to travel and we think most people do as well…so when we decide to feature a country, we represent it the way we experience it…from the items that are common to that country, to the designers that are emerging from that country, as well as those established in that country. Also, we like to include other creative elements such as publications, music and anything else we find interesting. We think that most people experience a country like this as well.
How important was it for you to introduce lines from abroad to New York City?
Having lines from a new country every year helps build anticipation. Also, the idea of exclusivity is important for New Yorkers. We are exposed to so much… it’s nice to experience that feeling of discovery.
What other projects or events are you currently involved with?
We are always working on something….right now, we are getting ready to open our Los Angeles store.
Who in the fashion retail business, or any business, do you admire?
Well, I really admire those who work tirelessly for the welfare of others. One organization that comes to mind is Aid for Aids. They collect medication from different sources and redistribute it to those who don’t have any access to such medications. I think it’s important to not only be aware..but to play a part an active part somehow.
Got a long term plan?
It would be nice to have an Opening Ceremony somewhere tropical. Maybe in Fiji?
Do you have much free time? What do you do when you’re not working?
Not really…but when I do…I like to try as many new restaurants as possible. And stop by Other Music too!
Who are your favorite artists and entertainers of all time?
Marc Chagall
How would you describe your personal style?
Loose. I like to be comfortable at all times. it makes the times i have to dress up all the more special.
What’s your favorite accessory you own?
My opal pendant from my mother.
What’s your favorite piece of clothing you own?
Well, at this moment it will have to be a Marni dress.
Where do you like to shop?
I love shopping for home things. i really like John Derian and any flea market.
What music have you been listening to lately?
The Papercuts
What is your most recent discovery/exploration in New York?
Playing ping pong 24 hours a day
Do you plan on living in NY forever?
Probably not… i’d like to be bicoastal between here and Los Angeles.
What’s your favorite rolling paper and your cocktail/drink of choice?
Favorite rolling paper is Aleda from Brazil and favorite drink is Jameson’s on the rocks.
Name one New York woman that you would nominate to our Hail Mary! list.
Isabel Asha Penzlien.
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>