A couple of years ago, we did an awesome collaboration with 826LA, the creative writing, non-profit for kids. We paired Poketo artists to illustrate stories written by the students at 826LA. The kids wrote amazing, creative stories and the artists came up with amazing artwork to illustrate each of the stories that eventually became Poketo wallets.

Part of what makes each of the eight 826 National chapters across the country so memorable is the quirky themed storefront attached to the writing/tutoring center. For example, Brooklyn’s storefront is the “Superhero Supply Co.”, San Francisco has “The Pirate Store”, Michigan has the “Robot Supply & Repair Shop”, and Los Angeles is “The Time Travel Mart”. 826LA’s Time Travel Mart is a quirky store that sells Evil Robot Memory Erasers, mustache disguises, and Viking Deodorant among many other fun time-inappropriate things. You can only imagine what the other storefronts carry.

For our latest Fall Collection, we shot at 826LA and caught up with program manager, Marisa Urrutia Gedney. Read below, to find out all about 826LA!

What’s 826LA in a nutshell?
826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. We believe that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

Our programs are challenging and enjoyable, and ultimately strengthen each student’s power to express ideas effectively, creatively, confidently, and in his or her individual voice.

Photo by Meiko Takechi Arquillos.

What’s the most fulfilling part of an 826LA day?
Seeing our students beaming with a sense of accomplishment–whether its because they finished their homework, were just published, or made some breakthrough in their learning–is always a joy and serves as constant validation for the work that we do.

Photo by Meiko Takechi Arquillos.

Why did you choose Echo Park?
826LA was established in Venice in 2005 where it still operates and provides our free services. Due to a demand from supporters on the east side of town, we opened our doors in Echo Park in January 2008.

Echo Park was an easy choice since the 90026 area code is home to over 20,000 students. There are about six schools within walking distance and the demand for our free programs continues to grow. For the 826 model to work, there needs to be a strong volunteer base nearby, and Echo Park has a community with all the elements required to help grow our programs.

What your favorite thing about the neighborhood?
826LA! 826LA is able to bring together all ages of kids, families, college students, retired folks, and the range of everyone else who lives in Echo Park to do great things. Behind the robot and the caveman, a student can be writing her first poem with the help of a volunteer. We might be hosting a parent advisory board meeting with a Red Cross representative sharing first aid preparation to our parents. A group of students could be performing in their first ever rock opera, while volunteers serve as the musical background.

What is the most satisfying thing about being part of the Echo Park Community?
The most satisfying thing about being a part of the Echo Park Community is just that; being a part of the community.

Many first time visitors to the Echo Park Time Travel Mart do not know about 826LA, most of them came in because they thought they were walking into a convenience store. After a customer has browsed around long enough to look entertained and thoroughly confused we let them in on the joke and tell them that the store is a front for a non-profit organization called 826LA.

At the 826LA storefront wearing a Bears on Bike Eco-fleece.

We give the back story and let them peek into the writing lab. We always show them samples of student publications (which almost everyone who comes here buys), but the look on their face when they see what we are doing here always reaffirms our mission. A good portion of our volunteers come to us in just this way.

Find out more about 826LA or become a volunteer! More at 826la.org.

We loved shooting around our home in Echo Park last week for our new fall collection. The neighborhood means a lot to us. We love randomly running into neighbors and friends on weekends, grabbing a coffee, a show, a quick drink, everyone doing their thing, having a good time… it’s that kind of community. So, in honor of all great neighborhoods, we’d love to introduce you to a slice of ours.

First up, Origami Vinyl.

Just two years old, Origami Vinyl is an integral part of the community. It’s here you can buy vinyl only releases of bands you’ve heard and have yet to hear, as well as catch free in-store music shows with both touring and local acts. Origami Vinyl has quickly become the place for music not only in Echo Park, but, in my opinion, Los Angeles.

Owner Neil Schield gives us the quick backstory:

What’s Origami Vinyl all about?
Origami Vinyl has a multitude of meanings to me. First off, it’s a childhood dream come to fruition.

It’s also about community. We really try and make this a place that brings Echo Park together through events at the shop, to working with local non-profits, and being heavily involved in shop hops, art walks, and festivals.

Live shows at Origami Vinyl.

And of course, it’s all about the music. Local music to be exact. We really pride ourselves on being a store that supports our city’s music. We think Los Angeles has the best talent in the world and we hope to showcase that by offering our loft to bands that have released their music on vinyl, promoting their tunes via our social media, having a section in our shop devoted to local bands, and by having a record label solely devoted to our local music scene. It’s always about local in our opinion.

What inspired you start this shop?
Owning a record store was a childhood dream of mine. However, over the years that dream became more of a fantasy. For the 10 years prior to opening the shop I had been working in the digital side of the music biz.

During that time it seemed the record store was going by the wayside. They were closing left and right and kids didn’t really have much interest in tangible goods when it came to music.

In 2008, I was laid off and I was feeling pretty down about looking for another job that would have me working at another large company and started to think of ways I could do something on my own.

I had my label (which was digital only at the time) and I was helping bands out as a sort of pseudo manager, but neither was gonna pay the bills. In an attempt to earn a little spending cash I decided to hawk some records I had inherited from my parents at a yard sale. I quickly learned that people were hungry for it! I sold over 40 records in a few hours and this was the stuff I didn’t want.

Scoping out good music wearing a Cassette V-neck.

My mind started racing and I thought, “What If I sold records that I liked?”. From there I started talking to people, stars were aligning and 8 months later Origami Vinyl opened up. It was all pretty serendipitous to be quite honest. It happened much easier than I had anticipated and that is when I knew I had made a great life decision.

Why Origami Vinyl in Echo Park?
I didn’t choose Echo Park. It’s where I live. There was no other place I wanted it to be. To be quite honest the location just fell in my hands. I didn’t even look into it. I had the space before I even had much of a business plan ready to go.

What your favorite thing about the neighborhood?
There are so many things! The people, the walkability, the architecture, the hills, Elysian park, the food, the small town atmosphere, the ability to hop on any freeway and get out of the city easily. I can’t really narrow it down.

Dreamcatching with a Dreamcatcher Eco-Pullover.

What is the most satisfying thing about being part of the Echo Park Community?
The most satisfying thing about being part of the Echo Park Community is the constant support people give to each other here. It seems everyone’s down to help each other out and look out for one another. I think that’s a rare trait in big cities and we are extremely lucky to live in a neighborhood like this.

Very lucky, indeed. Thanks for making Echo Park home, Neil! Our turntable thanks you too.

Find out what’s happening at origamiorigami.com.

As most of you all know, Echo Park, a vibrant, ever-changing neighborhood in Los Angeles is home to us. Both Angie and I live here. When we first moved to Los Angeles, this is where we settled and ran Poketo out of our house for the first couple of years. We made the living room an office, our garage the warehouse, we’d work day and night, with occasional taco truck breaks and a stroll around the park. We love this neighborhood and it’s diverse mix of ethnic and cultural communities, the nightlife, the colors, the food and business’ that grow and thrive here.

Upon launching our new tees, hoodies, and pullovers for Fall, we were brainstorming ways to highlight our new collection. You’ll see some new things you haven’t seen before…. we are introducing women’s, roomy boyfriend tees, v-necks, men’s super soft tees, organic fleece sweatshirt, and our ever popular organic, relaxed pullovers. We wanted to evoke the feeling of chilling out, a casual weekend of listening to records, hanging out with nothing much to do, but anything possible. As long as the possible was not straying too far out and feeling at home.

So, we decided, lets shoot in Echo Park… lets shoot in our living room (yes, that is our living room), lets share what we would do on a normal weekend around the neighborhood. What you’ll find here is a fun, simple, graphic collection set in our favorite locales in the neighborhood, in some of our favorite stores in the community. When you are here, we are taking you to get a coffee and browse books at Stories Books and Cafe, expanding your imagination at creative writing workshop 826LA, getting your music fix at Origami Vinyl, enjoying a sweet, cold treat at Pazzo Gelato, and strolling through Elysian Park. Over the next week, we’ll be posting more pics and even some short profiles from the owners of these awesome places. Check out the collection, enjoy!

If you still haven’t checked it out, our summer collection has a great selection of dresses this season (hurry, they’re 20 percent off and select tees are 50% off until August 14, 2011!), so we can’t help but be tempted by them all. If you had to choose just one, which one would it be?

Help us by voting for your favorite!

Smooth Sailing Halter Dress
If dress names predicted weekend outcomes, this would be the perfect outfit for the weekend. The soft A-line compliments any woman’s figure while the garterized back and halter straps fit as is custom-made. The double-row of brass buttons add that commander-in-chief feel without being too overwhelming, don’t you think?

Color Block Dress
It’s not Mondrian, but I still can’t help but think of the artist whenever I see this dress. Coral and cobalt blue combine for a powerful summer statement. Adjustable straps for a perfect fit.

Flutterby Dress
It’s amazing how much a sheer collar fluttering in the wind can be so captivating. This polka-dot dress was made for days of gentle breezes. The button-down front and fitted waist also add their own magic by emphasizing a great silhouette.

A Different Stripe Dress
I’m tired of the straight and narrow. This dress’s unusual pattern inspires me to go a little off-script.

So, what do you think would be perfect way to style the summer? Vote and let us know!