A New Co-op Stocks The Best of L.A. Style—Ed H. Not Included

As store names go, EPIC isn’t exactly modest. But Rhianon Jones and Tristan Scott’s new Echo Park boutique—which, in fairness, stands for Echo Park Independent Co-op—might live up to its name. In the spirit of Angeleno pride, the shop is stocking only L.A.-based designers. They’ve filled the former bowling alley (a vintage sign, pins and all, still sits atop the brick building) with a slew of independent local designers—43 and counting—you likely aren’t familiar with (save for Brian Lichtenberg, arguably the most household of names on the roster). In stock are one-of-a-kind frocks from Dear Creatures, jewelry by Laura Kranitz, and headpieces by Deadbird (Bat for Lashes-appropriate headdresses, worn by more than one partygoer at Friday night’s opening bash).

“We’re trying to get more eco-friendly lines,” said Jones, who got her start in fashion writing about sustainable design, at the tightly packed launch party. She and Scott, a former sales associate and stylist, are likewise “working with designers to commission eco-friendly versions of clothing that they already have.” Each of those designers and brands will get their own space at EPIC and allowed to customize their own displays. “It really encourages them to display their work as an art piece,” says Jones. Fashion as art is definitely not the first thing that comes to mind when the topic of L.A. is raised—a stigma of which Jones is all too aware. “I think when people think L.A.…well, you know what people think,” she laughs. But if EPIC has its say, that may not be the case for long.

1712 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A., www.shopepicla.com.