"Echo Park is a place where Los Angeles’ independent rock bands go to perform and party. The neighborhood’s boutique owners believe music and fashion are joined at the hip, and the thriving music scene drives apparel trends," or so writes Andrew Asch of Apparel News.net.

The fashion trade mag made it up to the hippest part of LA, where music and fashion are one in the same, and featured some of what makes Echo Park special: Backside, Echo Park Independent Co-op and 8 Limbs.

Backside

Backside started business as a music store in Burbank and opened an Echo Park boutique in 2011 with "clothes that the jock and cheerleader set would appreciate."

Owner Tony Essa said of his neighbor, The Echo, “It’s a source for fashion. We are at the epicenter of where it all begins.”

Find more photos like this on Echo Park Online

Echo Park Independent Co-op

Rhianon Jones opened the in 2010 to sell new fashions by designers living in Echo Park and Silver Lake and now some of their customers are "musicians looking for something to wear on stage."

8 Limbs

Erika Ikeler opened the boutique in 201 and not only sells clothes but also gives sewing classes.

The maxi-dress designed by Daughters of the Revolution retails for $148. It sells well because of its details, such as recycled fabric, distressed hems and the V-like shape featured in the dress’s top half.

Check out the entire story, and photos: http://www.apparelnews.net/news/retailing/051712-Whats-Checking-Ech...