Opening Ceremony and Columbia launch outerwear collection

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Oct 27, 2017

Opening Ceremony and Columbia have launched a 44-piece outdoor apparel and accessories collection joining Opening Ceremony's signature prints and colorways with iconic Columbia outwear including parkas, fleece and hats.

Columbia x Opening Ceremony gives a youthful makeover to old Columbia pieces that have been on the market since 1938. Men's and women's pieces in the collection include fleece, parkas, anoraks, gloves and hats.

A key piece in the collection is the reissue of Columbia's Whirlibird Interchange Parka from the eighties. The Whirlibird is a 4-in-1 reversible ski and snowboard jacket that offers pieces that can be worn year round.

This is the first collaboration for the brands who at first glance might be an odd pairing. When explaining why Opening Ceremony collaborated with Columbia, co-founder Humberto Leon said the brand wanted to work with a heritage American brand to freshen up favorite pieces. As a 79-year-old brand, Columbia is an icon of heritage American outdoor apparel.

According to Opening Ceremony, the styles "are refreshed in OC’s signature prints and colorways."

The collaboration could be a win for Columbia, as it introduces the brand to a new generation of consumers. Columbia is in the process of executing an operational initiative called Project Connect. The goal is to respond to evolving consumer needs and quickly take advantage of new opportunities in a changing retail landscape.

Partnering with Opening Ceremony undoubtedly is an example of how Columbia will continue to fight for relevance and market share with its next generation of consumers.

Price points for Columbia x Opening Ceremony range from $65 for a hat to $995 for a parka. The collection is available online as well as at Opening Ceremony's New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo stores.