Manashe has put $4 million into the transformation that is already well underway. He’s hired the former buyer of Boogies in Aspen to restock his store, and has gutted the main lobby.

Here is what it looked like just a few short months ago. It was essentially a valley of kiosks. BEFORE:

And NOW:

Here, let me take you on a brief tour of its three levels. There are nooks and crannies at every turn to get lost in, places I haven’t discovered yet. And as of this moment, rooms that are vacant from all of the retailers that were forced to evacuate.

Okay, catch your breath.

Out of the whole place, one that will certainly stay is Old Hollywood. With another location in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, this shop is one of the main draws for The Limelight Marketplace, and thus is one of the lucky few shops to remain through the turnover. Storeowner Tiffany Porter began her store by selling mostly vintage pieces, but now she features a whole host of new designers. Her most popular jewelry designer is Kaoru, a meticulous Japanese designer. Among dozens of the other designers she carries, Pendleton has been flying off her shelves. The old world quality of her display and the pieces within bring a sense of timeless rusticity to the space. She is very relieved that there is longer a giant winged statue from the former candy store below, blocking her 2nd story shop from eyeshot. (see below)

A history lesson on the Church of Fashion:

It opened as a Catholic Church in 1853 to much architectural acclaim, but then was decommissioned when the neighborhood died by the start of the 1970s. It then became a much-needed mid-seventies drug rehab center. Turns out, those people didn’t need or want the rehab, because it was bought by club owner Peter Gatien and christened The Limelight in 1983. Then 1996, a party promoter allegedly brutally murdered a drug dealer, which spawned the 2003 Macaulay Culkin/Seth Green movie The Party Monster. After opening and closing at the police mandate, the club officially closed and reopened in 2003 under the name Avalon. That party ended in 2007 and the space became home to random sample sales, and probably homeless people. Then in May of 2010, it was converted into The Limelight Marketplace. And it changes shapes again.

Best of luck to Jack Manashe. He’s got a 20 year lease on the place, and quite a house to clean.

Opening Ceremony has again collaborated with Pendleton and Robert Clergerie for the spring collection, which we’re ultra excited about. But even cooler, suit maker to President Obama Hickey Freeman is also designing for the brand. His suits will be in stores come November.

LINK LOVE: Style.com

This bright pink Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Backpack $158 is super light weight and has top straps too, in case you have a hard time letting go of the tote trend.

Free People’s Russel backpack ($128) has dark brown leather buckles to give it a rustic and vintage look. And there’s shoulder straps – transforming it from a backpack to a messenger bag.

You can never go wrong with a basic backpack, like this Juicy Couture Pendleton Backpack ($248). The wool-blend material and plaid pattern are so in style for this upcoming fall.

The Deux Lux Mixed Media Corduroy Backpack ($68) takes a funky spin on the standard black backpack with the combination of materials and metals. There’s even a zip pocket on the back.

Lucky Brand’s ‘Swingin Solo’ Backpack ($99) will hold everything and last for a long time. With the extra front compartments, you’ll be able to find lipstick and train tickets without taking anything out.

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LINK LOVE:Don’t Be A Hunchback–Trade Your Heavy Tote For One Of These Stylish Backpacks

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LINK LOVE: HighSnobiety

Erin Wasson’s new costume jewelry line LowLuv by Erin Wasson will go on sale at Opening Ceremony this month. The line features chunky cuffs and knuckle rings inspired by Navajo prints and Mexican iconography, and all of it retails at under $250.

Pendleton’s most recent collaboration with Opening Ceremony also features Navajo prints and plenty of plaid, and the lookbook will have you craving summer, with all the images of breezy sun-worshippers on bikes and beaches.

Pendleton x Opening Ceremony lookbook image

In what could easily be one of the greatest collaboration of 2009, and now they’re taking it into Spring 2010. The Navajo print is back thank God! As if it wasn’t a bit enough hit this year! The collection looks great, and just happens to make me want to go to the as well, weird?!

Here’s a little sneak peek of the new Pendleton x Opening Ceremony. I am so obsessed with this upcoming trend of Native American/Western patterns. They look amazing in this shoot, and I can’t wait for this look to get a bit more popularized!

via Selectism

I did my heart a major disservice by setting foot inside Opening Ceremony this past weekend, my sole intentions to browse. Oh, how heartbroken I was to see those college-budget killing pieces from Opening Ceremony’s Fall 2009 collection hanging ever so tauntingly on the shelves. From the Pendleton collaboration to the the awesome Keith Haring sweaters and skirts, I really enjoyed the prints Opening Ceremony has to offer for the fall. And don’t worry boys, there are some great jackets and cardigans, as well as a variety of fun desert boots in store for you! Check out Opening Ceremony’s lookbook and start taking your picks! 

GALLERY: FIRST LOOK: Opening Ceremony Fall 2009 Lookbook

Check out more from Opening Ceremony here! Thanks Refinery 29!