Limelight may have shuttered its doors almost two decades ago, but the legacy of New York’s club kids of the 80s and 90s lives on. Not only in the scene’s raucous party antics, bold beauty looks, and groundbreaking liberal attitude, but the choice of fashions — which have inspired Opening Ceremony’s latest capsule collection in collaboration with Waltpaper, a.k.a. Walt Cassidy.
As a jewelry designer and artist, Cassidy found himself at the center of the city’s underground scene in the 90s and is often referred to as the original club kid. It’s only fitting then that he’s put together the most comprehensive look at the lifestyle and culture of the times yet. His forthcoming book New York: Club Kids documents the iconic and hedonistic subculture through unseen photographs, magazine editorials, and ephemera. In celebration of its release, Opening Ceremony have designed a series of graphic t-shirts and sweatshirts with Cassidy. They’re emblazoned with designs by Gregory Homs, the artist who made the majority of the artwork for the mega clubs themselves.
OC will host the official book launch event on November 16 at their New York flagship store. The event features a panel conversation with some of the original Club Kids: Walt Cassidy (Waltpaper), Desi Santiago (Desi Monster), Jenny Dembrow (Jennytalia), Sidney Prawatyotin, and Zaldy Goco. The collection launches November 15 online and in stores.
Credits
@openingceremony x New York: Club Kids
by @therealwaltpaper Collection
Creative direction: @waltcassidy
Talent: @aalexisjae, @empty.pools, @_calebkyle
Photographer: @jasonrodgersphoto
Stylist: @mal.co.lm
Makeup: @mimiquiquine using @maccosmetics for @macpro
Hair: @yuminakadadingle