It’s about authenticity, and style, and something new for Las Vegas. That’s what drives Institution 18b, a days-old “verge culture lab” pioneered by Valley native Wil Eddins, former head menswear buyer for Boston-based retailer karmaloop.com.

“Verge culture is basically the cutting edge,” says Mark Gatdula, marketer for the new destination in the Arts District. Shrewdly curated streetwear—featuring brands such as Alpha Industries, Clear Weather and Trinomic—anchors the operation, but equally important to its identity is culture, from design workshops and tech launches to art and music shows.

“Vegas doesn’t have fashion, music, culture industries,” Eddins says. “I wanted to move back and create some of that.”

918 S. Main St., 702-476-5704, institution18b.com.