Everlane Studio Tour

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This week, we had the chance to visit the Los Angeles offices of Everlane - one of the Internet's most legit fashion brands that wants you to know that you're probably paying too much for you name-brand basics (t-shirts, totes, oxfords, belts, etc). With an insane amount of detail to design and BFF relations with the factories that produce similar products for designer labels, Everlane is making ripples in the industry by simplifying the equation and cutting out the middlemen.

Their studio is based in the Arts District in Downtown LA and serves as the hub of production and creative. Everlane's entire production team (both domestic and international) is located here as well as creative team including the art director and graphic designers.

"We refer to this office as the heart and the San Francisco office as the brains." - says Everlane's Head of Culture, Eva Goicochea.

Enjoy the tour!

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Warby Parker + UNIQUE

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 Last week the folks from Warby Parker stopped by the office to talk with me about the work we do at UNIQUE USA, and what new projects we have up our sleeves. It was an energetic and fun meeting, and it gave me the chance to meet the amazing photographer Collin Hughes, who snapped my portrait. To read the interview and see the fab pictures of our office space, visit the Warby Parker Class Trip! And make sure to go see (hehe) the Class Trip bus in LA or on a future tour stop - they've converted an old school bus into a rad store on wheels, complete with their full collection of frames and vintage anatomical charts of the human eye. If you're not familiar with Warby Parker, it's a truly innovative company that has managed to not only bring stylish, affordable eye-glasses to the market ($95 including prescription lenses) but has been a leader in the one-for-one social enterprise model - for every pair of glasses purchased, Warby Parker gives a pair of glasses to someone in need. Visit their website to read more about their worthy cause.

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Backstreet Skateboards

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Deep in the alleys of Brooklyn (Greenpoint to be exact), a box truck is parked. Inside of the box truck, DL Skateboards makes custom, handmade skate decks "one hundred percent hand-sawn from a 3/4" solid oak slab. Then sanded, drilled, painted, and gripped"... As handmade as it gets! CoolHunting documents the founders Lauren Andino and Derek Mabra in their studio/box truck shaping decks before their great move to California.

Erik Otto's Studio Tour

We first met Erik Otto in NYC while working on the Re:Form School art show and immediately liked him - not only is he a prolific artist but he is a truly humble person who is very sweet and down to earth. We stopped by his San Francisco studio for a tour last month and were blown away with the space, which even boasts a photo booth. Being in his studio gave us an inside look at how Erik works and the things that he surrounds himself with - getting to see everything from large pieces of art to his little scribblings and notes on scraps of paper was inspiring. He also showed us a few cool items that he sells in his store, such as his RAD geometric tealight candle holders. We loved being there and hope you like seeing his studio too!

Sub_Urban Riot's Space

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One of the freshest clothing labels coming out of LA right now is Sub_Urban Riot. I love them because they started small, by selling cool graphic t-shirts, and have grown over the years to offer full collections for both men and women - we're talking everything from refined sweatpants to button-down oxford shirts to dresses. Their cuts are modern and simple yet their designs are irreverent and kooky - a perfect pairing. And of course, with all our featured designers, they make everything here in the USA.

The owners, Jason and Nate, sat down with us to share their story and show us their space...

Oh.Em.Gee... MNKR Studio Tour!

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We're pleased to introduce Coral Kessler of cerezasYtigres as a guest blogger on State of Unique! Check out her trip to MNKR's live/work cottage. 
So as it turns out, Matt and Kandace- darling duo behind the amazing MNKR t-shirt brand, can't wait around for Todd Selby forever either. Happily, they're willing to accept the generic version of him... ME! This morning the MNKR's opened up their adorable little live/work cottage and granted me full access to the whole abode! I even got a peek at where the magic happens... Hey, I'm talking about the workshop! But yes, I saw the bedroom too.
***bow chicka wow wow***
Enjoy this fun, inside-glimpse at two of my very favorite people, including the other half of my we're-totes-too-old-for-this-but-we-?-Twilight-anyway club.
Team Edward!

Eva Franco's Design Studio

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Join us as we hang out at Eva Franco's downtown design studio located in the heart of Downtown LA.

Originally from Hungary, Eva is known best for her intricately designed, vintage inspired skirts and dresses which can be found in over 800 stores, including London and Paris. The best part is that all of her clothes are made right here in LA.

Find out more about Eva Franco at www.evafranco.com