The Rizzoli-published Opening Ceremony is a 350-page pastel-striped encyclopedia of retail, style and general amazingness chronicling the first 10 years of Humberto Leon and Carol Lim's modern marvel. In a series we're calling Taking a Page from OC, we're sharing our favorite elements of the best stories found inside.

From Opening Ceremony, published by Rizzoli

Some might say you can't improve on Keds or Pendleton-or The Muppets for Miss Piggy's sake, but those people haven't seen what Leon and Lim and team did with the brands. While part of OC's genius has been introducing lesser-known brands and unknown artisans to the popular fashion lexicon, another aspect has been taking a proven formula and giving it a boost of colorful charm, unexpected dimension and a new way to relate to and experience an established icon.

The years: 2009, 2010 and 2011
The project: Keds, the Rockford, Michigan-based footwear brand. Humberto is a true fan; he collects rare vintage specimens from America and Japan, so the multi-year collaborations played off the 100-year-old brand and their globe-spanning presence.
The win: The '09 collaboration (below) was a celebration of Americana, and we love the 2010 French stripes and toile print (see above; produced during OC's official Year of France), but the reissue of Keds' baseball-stitched sneakers (second image below) was a real crowd pleaser.

The year: 2009
The project: As the story goes, Humberto bought his first pair of Dr. Martens to wear to the first-ever Lollapalooza. No wonder the brand is near and dear to his heart. The first pair of Opening Ceremony X Dr. Martens was based on the original 8-hole Docs (see below) and released during the UK brand's 50th anniversary.
The win: The OC collection eventually included a high-heeled boot and plush animal-print sandals (below).

The year: 2011
The project: Timed for both The Muppets movie and that year's Fashion's Night Out bash, OC's collection of button-downs, sweaters, hoodies and T-shirts was all about restyling the crew in mod plaid and normcore overcoats.
The win: Miss Piggy interviewed Carol and Humberto for Fashion's Night Out in NYC, and in L.A., she got her own billboard on top of the store (below).

The year: 2009
The project: It's easy to forget that there was a time when heritage brands and practical Americana were absent from the radar-when Pendleton, Filson and Carhartt just weren't a part of our daily routine. Partial credit goes to Humberto and Carol for remembering Kurt Cobain and the West Coast outdoors lifestyle and wanting to revive the look.
The win: "Opening Ceremony inspired us to look differently at who we are; they gave us confidence to reach out to a new customer." -Mort Bishop III, President, Pendleton Woolen Mills

Shop: Pop-In@Nordstrom X Opening Ceremony

-Laura Cassidy