E.P.I.C. or Echo Park Independent Co-Op is a new Boutique that opened two weeks ago. The conceptual intent behind the boutique is to be a social bridge for the community in fashion, art, music, and environmental preservation.
Tristan Scott and Rhianon Jones, the proprietors, are true believers in eco-friendly fashion. The team started working on the concept of opening a Boutique a year ago. They received the keys to the building in December, took off running and two weeks ago their dream came to fruition.
Rhianon designed the decor, custom counters and shelf space by sketching everything out on paper, and its amazing! The fitting room is very spacious with Art Deco accents and a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling, with none of the annoying fluorescent lights that can make a person look pallid.
The 100 year old building where E.P.I.C. is located has a long and varied history. The logo for the store (two rabbits each facing one another) has meaning for both, as 2010 is the Aztec Calender year of the rabbit, which symbolized prosperity, accomplishment in the outside world, unpredictability, humor, and vision. They describe the logo as crest-like. My impression of the logo is that it is a reflection of themselves toward each other, which is a strong indication of the complementary relationship between the two.
E.P.I.C. located in the historic Jensen Recreation Center in the heart of Echo Park at 1712 Sunset Blvd., carries approximately 43 local Los Angeles designers and is basically a mouth piece for the independent designer. There is a palpable sense of community in the neighborhood and that feeling is carried forward between the proprietors and the designers.
According to both Tristan and Rhianon the definition of fashion is "Fashion is Art" which should be controversial and make a statement. "The store is here to highlight the local designer" and E.P.I.C. is the mouthpiece for the designers, who actually create their own installation pieces to display their ART.
Tristan and Rhianon believe that because Echo Park is known for being such a creative community, now is the perfect time to open the boutique, as the most creative and fruitful work for artists comes during the struggle and strife of an economic downturn. I couldn't agree more! The neighborhood is very gritty and edgy, and E.P.I.C. is a reflection of that.
Upon entering the Boutique you can't help but notice how it's so full of light and space, has an amazing layout, and the clothes are displayed so that you can actually see them. The vibe is very cool, young, edgy, and avant garde.
E.P.I.C. carries clothing for men and women, accessories, a cosmetic line and candle line. I asked Tristan and Rhianon how they decide which designers to carry. They told me that they try to cover diversity of style by choosing what they like and by getting behind the designers and what they represent. They are all about fostering nurturing relationships in order to help the designer grow. A very symbiotic relationship.
Tristan and Rhianon took inspiration for the decor and inventory for the Boutique from the neighborhood, a very diverse local music industry, Art Deco, Modern French New Wave, and Patty Smyth.
Starting next month E.P.I.C. plans on having art installations on a monthly basis highlighting local artists in the area.
Lines E.P.I.C. carry include but are not limited to: 925LA, Alexandra Cassaniti, Ashton Michael, Brian Lichtenburg, deadbird, Dear Creatures, form and fauna, Gabby Applegate, Gregory Alexander, Himiku, House Of Bare, Howl, Kayu, Kim White Handbags, Kontorsion, LadyBoy Shoes, LAS Jewlery, Laura Kranitz, Le sang des betes , Luxary Jones, Maes Jewlery, Michelle Rose, Mike Vensel, Modern Lovers, Mohawk Street, Natalia Romano, Osei-Duro, Philip and Lillian bags by Alison Burns, Poppy and Quail, Prophetik, Propr, Reclaimed in LA, Seraph, Skarf, Smoke & Mirrors, Sqaures, Straydog,The Battalion, The Bryan Hearns Collection, Vanishing Creatures, & We As Folk
Photos by Lucinda Wedge ~ Image All Ways
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