Posts tagged: Clothing

We caught up with Matt Shanks, Director of Epic, a new surf and skate online-only retailer based in Belfast.

Here’s what Matt had to say about Epic.

We’re a small startup surf and skate online-only retailer who have been running since March 2010. We’ve loved every minute of it of doing this, even though it’s been a tricky ride, and not without it’s difficulties… The big thing for us is that it doesn’t become another soul-less business that is set up to serve the needs of it’s owners and lose sight of reality. The whole reason for setting it up was to express our individuality, as well as being a positive force for change in the industry and the community around us. Right from day one we decided to support a local charity and have chosen the Cedar Foundation which helps people with Brain Injury Rehabilitation.

Surf over here is really opening up, especially with the news of Al Mennie and Cotty surfing perhaps the largest wave in Europe recently at an undisclosed spot known as ‘prowlers’. Check out what we mean here.

Another unique aspect of our business is the effort to try and source as many products from top brands that have been sustainably produced. We’ve a few pieces from Volcom’s V-Cological Collection which uses recycled plastic bottles, as well as Sutsu which source Organic Cotton, to Rapanui, which has a list of environmental accreditations as long as your arm! One thing we would love to get into would be our own clothing range, but for now it’s on the back burner while we amp up the site.

Epicstore also has representation locally in Northern Ireland, and was part of a pioneering event called the Milestone Sessions. This was a collaboration of Skate, BMX, inline and urban sport genres for one day, in a massive ex-shipyard warehouse. The first time Ireland has seen anything like it, and needless to say it was a major success. So much so that the organisers have upped the ante and decided to plan another event for the 11th December. This time as a Fundraiser to bring a shipping container full of action sports gear and supplies to Malawi… You can check out the photo’s from the event on our Facebook page.

Check out the Epic Store here!

Rapanui is about making cool eco-fashion for young people; that means clothing that is eco-friendly, ethical and sustainable: Made from natural organic fabrics in a Fairwear Foundation audited, wind powered factory. Through surfing the brothers saw and experienced the changing environment and climate at their local beach and as inspired, unemployed graduates in a recession, they took a different path; if you can’t find a job, make one.

Rapanui has held Seminars and Lectures at UK and EU universities and multinational companies such as Centrica PLC on Sustainable Business and sit on the Panel at Plymouth University’s All our Future Conference.

Rapanui has made bespoke versions of its clothing for multinationals and charities including Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and the Marine Conservation Society.

Rapanui was set up by brothers Mart and Rob Drake-Knight in early 2008 with £200 of savings and was listed in the Top 100 Startups of 2008. Rob and Martin are listed on the Future 100 List of Top young Entrepreneurs and were recently finalists in Enterprise UK’s Young Brits awards. Rapanui was the youngest company to win the Sustainable Business Awards in May 2010 and has recently been nominated for the internationally-recognised ISPO Brand New Award.