At a glance
Noun を皮切りに(して) means "starting with [noun]". It marks the first item in a series of similar events that follow, often spreading or continuing one after another. It is a formal expression used mostly in writing, news and speeches.
Noun を皮切りに（して）、[series of similar events]
東京公演を皮切りに、全国ツアーが始まった。 Starting with the Tokyo performance, the nationwide tour began.
How to form it
| Attaches to | Form | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | を皮切りに | Formal, written and spoken |
| Noun | を皮切りにして | Formal, slightly longer |
| Noun | を皮切りとして | Formal, mostly written |
The noun can be an event, a place, a person or a work, as long as it is the first in a series.