Private EquityPortfolio Companies

LocationNew York, New York

Opening CeremonyConsumer

  • Year Invested2014
  • Investment TypeGrowth Capital
  • Year Realized2019
  • Type of SaleRecapitalization

Opening Ceremony is a multifaceted fashion brand and retailer, founded in 2002 by two college friends, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, as a place to share their passions for travel, art and fashion. What began as a single store in downtown New York is now a global community, with additional retail outposts in Los Angeles, Tokyo and New York’s Ace Hotel. The company has also established active wholesale and e-commerce channels as well as a significant online editorial presence.

Over the years, Opening Ceremony has partnered with international brands to create signature collections, including projects with Adidas, Rodarte, Pendleton, Hickey Freeman, Timberland, Vans and Maison Martin Margiela. Opening Ceremony has also become known for its collaborations with creatives like Spike Jonze, Ryan McGinley and Chloë Sevigny.

Partnering with Berkshire on the investment in Opening Ceremony is Glen Senk, a leading retail and consumer executive, whose company, Front Row Partners, seeks to identify and service innovative, high-growth retail and consumer businesses. The new capital from the investment will be used to accelerate the Opening Ceremony’s growth, including plans to enhance its women’s, men’s and accessories collections and its e-commerce capabilities, as well as further expand its retail presence with Opening Ceremony stores.

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