From March Madness to the wives on Big Love to American Idol, the competitive spirit is sweeping the nation.
 
NYC shop Opening Ceremony has been way ahead of this curve: They’ve been pitting designers from other countries (Brazil, Germany, and Sweden) against indie U.S. designers for years.
  
So it only made sense that it was time for them to get in on the action themselves. Their namesake line is the brainchild of creative director Humberto Leon, whose English preppy sensibility can be seen throughout the collection. (No surprise there: He was formerly visual director at Burberry.)

Early front-runners include wax cotton trench coats, black and white geometric prints on a skimming silk dress, suspender skirts, and a mod short-sleeve yellow flare coat with white leather buttons. (So perfectly cheeky.)

Because the designs are never trend-focused, you won’t waste time playing catch up on the latest fads.

Which is one way to make sure you’ll always be ahead of the pack.

Available at Jake, 939 North Rush Street, between Oak and Walton Streets (312-664-5553); Hejfina, 1529 North Milwaukee Avenue, between North and Evergreen Avenues (773-772-0002).