At Large with Scott Norton #25: Humberto Leon - Master of Ceremony
Humberto Leon has spent his life setting the cultural thermostat — somehow always staying a few degrees ahead.
He has an uncanny ability to sniff out the world around him, stay true to his personal taste, and craft something that people are attracted to from across the room – or across the city – or across the ocean. A vibesmith of the highest order.
Quick background on Humberto: Alongside Carol Lim, he co-founded Opening Ceremony, the first-of-its-kind concept store that redefined retail by curating global designers and pioneering the high-low collaborations that now crowd every brand’s playbook.
Four store locations later, the leadership pair was tapped by LVMH to revive Kenzo — a turnaround that didn’t just restore the label but multiplied its size tenfold and returned it to profitability.
After selling Opening Ceremony, Humberto came home to Los Angeles, where he opened Chifa — a vibrantly electric Peruvian-Chinese restaurant that’s as much a mood as it is a meal (and where we filmed this episode).
And because one life is apparently not enough, he’s also the creative director behind Katseye, a K-pop-inspired girl group pushing the boundaries of style and sound.
There’s more — there’s always more with Humberto — but it’s time to let him tell it.
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TIMECODES:
00:00 - Introduction to Humberto Leon
03:27 - Humberto Quits to Start Opening Ceremony
08:05 - How Havaianas Flip Flops Blew Up OC
14:29 - Humberto’s View on Collaborations
18:41 - Humberto’s Take on the Current Fashion Industry
23:14 - The Pitch to Kenzo
28:51 - The Infamous Kenzo Tiger Sweatshirt
31:00 - Private Equity comes to Opening Ceremony
33:20 - KATSEYE and Empowering Female Voices
38:35 - CHIFA: a Restaurant Ode to his Mother
44:05 - At Large & Off The Cuff