Local art and apparel, no expectations

Mega Fauna, a clothing boutique and art gallery, delivers the quintessential feel of the real Denver, by locals and for locals.

Located at 27th and Larimer, its stock is diverse and sure to fit in with all sorts of contemporary styles. From jewelry made of recycled parts to heavenly winged headbands and poster prints or paintings, the staggering variety of art means that there is an accessory or decoration for any kind of taste.

Conk Wear, one of the brands repre-sented, has sharp shirts and hoodies with monochromatic, stenciled designs. Ruckus Apparel and Afro Triangle Designs supply pop culture shirts that look crude and hand-printed.

The prices are in line with those of other local artists competing with large-scale manufacturers. Their shirts range from $20–$30 and hoodies from $30–$45.

Another style represented is all about Denver pride. Founders Rob Bell and John “MC” McCaskill run DeRailed Ink, which prints cheeky Denver related, faux-vintage tees with phrases like “The Temple of Dumervil” or “Don’t Mess with the Law...son”.

Mega Fauna is one of many stops in a tour of art and furniture galleries north of Park Avenue West and just east of I-25, in the River North Art District, an area that has been continuing to grow and rival other cultural hotspots like Santa Fe.

The neighborhood that hosts Redline and The Dry Ice Factory gives an energy of both consummate artistry and hip, chic downtown style.

Connected to the Meadowlark bar, the gallery/boutique makes itself known with a large mural of Pegasus along the alley, and an elk-horned portrait of Charles Manson in the window.

The unique edge of Mega Fauna is the way the group fosters individual artists, by not just selling their products but also functioning as a collective.

The startup looks to distribute on behalf of artists, while helping them to deepen local ties. Between brands, musicians, and artists, the Mega Fauna family has over 70 local partners.

Although this is an exciting concept, for the average shopper it makes the store’s merchandise a mixed bag in terms of style and quality. There are lots of local artists represented, but the content isn’t heavily mediated so expectations run the gambit.

Some dub it with the taboo term of “hipster,” but Mega Fauna showcases a sundry collection of beautiful artwork and treasures, unpredictable and uniquely Denver.