Made in QNS RYOGO KITAZAWA Hooks and Luxe Custom jewelry for women made in Queens This Parsons graduate who is originally from Japan creates handmade fashion accerries like jewelery and suspenders from her Queens home. She started selling her accesseries online in 2013 and two years later quit her day job to work on Hooks and Luxe full time. Kitazawa makes her suspenders durable by using a “heavy duty sewing machine.” “I believe they are definitely a unique item because there are not so many women’s suspenders sold in the world, and also because of their distinct designs with chain and trims,” Kitazawa said. Most of her jewelery is created with 14 karat goldfilled wire and she fuses both Japanese and American culture into her bracelets, earrings, necklaces, hairties and suspenders. Colorful gemstones, tassels and beads are frequently used in her creations. To check out her products, visit hooksandluxe.com CRAIG CLEMENTS Sweet Gritty Style House music t-shirts for women and men Influenced by his love of house music, Craig Clements created Sweet Gritty Style, a t-shirt line that encapsulates “urban fashion you can feel.” He started the business in 2015 but thought of the concept in 2007 when he was reintroduced to house music by DJ’s like Ray Vasquez and Ruben Toro. Clements began working on his designs in 2012 and created an online store. Most of his sales come from seasonal festivals and house music events but Clements is hoping to change that. “What my customers have in common no matter the age is the love for dance,” Clements said. “My customers are my driving force, for most have been dancing to house music since the late 80’s and they remember clubs like the Garage, The Temple, and the Loft.” Though some of his prints are out-sourced, Clements prints less complicated MATT KONCHAN Chi Cho Sauce Hot sauce This gluten-free hot sauce was created by Astoria resident Matt Konchan who tweaked his Peruvian friend’s family recipe. Chi Cho Sauce officially became a business in 2013 and the creators focus on the design of the bottle as much as they do on the taste. The sauce is gluten-free, low sodium and all-natural. “We want to be a product you can proudly display on your kitchen table or as a restaurant owner your customer’s tables and not be embarrassed that the label has a pain scale on the side printed on gloss paper,” Konchan said. Konchan said the company strives to use the best ingredients available and the sauce will not overpower your dish. “We’re simply there to provide some needed heat and flavor when called upon,” Konchan said. “People use Chi- Cho in marinades, as a dipping sauce and even in your bloody Mary’s. We want to not be just the best tasting sauce on the market but the best looking one as well.” To check out the product, visit www.chichosauce.com DMITRY TOSCANO Dmitry Ties Designer ties for men Dmitry Toscano got his start in fashion by working for brands like Banana Republic, GAP Japan and Dolce & Gabbana. Now, Toscano creates luxury silk ties in his Forest Hills store, Dmitry Ties. Inspired by his time spent traveling the world, specifically Italy, Toscano’s ties are made from Italian silk and produced in limited quantities to tailor to the buyer’s needs. All of the ties in his Forest Hills store are made in Italy and are 100 percent silk. There are dozens of patterns and color schemes to appeal to men of all ages. “We specialize in neckwear thereby devoting our time to product quality, individuality, and consumer satisfaction,” Toscano said. To check out the products, visit dmitryties.com designs in Queens. To check out the products, visit sweetgrittystyle.com
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