Belgian Brilliance: OC's Next Stop

No one does obsessive perfection quite like Opening Ceremony. When the innovative NY retailer wanted to shine a spotlight on emerging Korean fashion, they did so with precise gusto, emphasizing the country's expert and forward-thinking tailoring and design. Now, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon are turning to another country — one more familiar to Western shoppers, but no less exciting.

Established as the home of the Antwerp Six, for a country roughly the same size as New York City, Belgium has one of the most influential and incredible fashion communities in the world. The OC spotlight on the country includes already respected fashion names, like Walter Van Beirendonck, Raf Simons, and Dries Van Noten, partnered with OC favorites like Christian Wijnants and Veronique Branquinho. Of course, always pushing fresh talent forward, the Belgium vs. USA collection will also feature items from recent graduates of Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts, handpicked by Leon and Lim themselves.

The choice to highlight Belgium is inspired, not only because of the formidable crop of young guns, but also due to the nation's rich history of being a home for avant-garde fashion — which is the Opening Ceremony M.O., after all.