The Creator's Co-Op store opening - a collective for new talent

The Creator's Co-Op store is a designer's co-operative which is poised to make Astoria a required stop for cool shoppers in New York.  It opened last week with a charming launch party Friday night.

According to the Creator's Co-Op's founder, Kazuki Kozuru-Salifoska , the boutique is  a "co-operative style store of like-minded artists, designers, and craft people."  The space is a roster of  emerging talent from design schools like Parsons and FIT along with other designers who wanted to share their work in a collective design retail space.  The Co-Op houses a diverse group of eclectic and talented designers who make everything from fantastical Lemony Snicket-esque clocks with the secret musical keys to uber  chic, indie children's line, Baby Noir. 

Kazuki is also the brainchild and designer of Baby Noir clothing for kids. Baby Noir is a collection of seriously cool children's clothing which is designed and made in New Y ork City.  Baby Noir dresses range from $28 - $78  with every piece lined in cotton as is the brighter, more bohemian line, Baby Solaire.  

Each square foot
of the store houses great finds for the cool set from super fly skater/hip screened tee shirts for the men in your life to delicate jewelry set in stone.

Jewelry designer Kristen Benson  chisels holes into smooth, round rocks and adds sparkly white sapphires to form necklaces and pendants.  The white sapphires glitter like diamonds, but without the gem's price point. The one necklace I added to my wish list was  $146 (friends take note!). This collection looks like it came straight from the Barney's New York display case.

The Creator's Co-op also has fine ceramics which are hand made and glazed by artist Jonathan Castro. The pieces are weighty and substantial. The nuances of the hand glazed colors lend a museum quality feel to his work which range from practical mugs to show-stopping vases.

For those following Mad Men's foray into the 1960s, there are brocades and textured metallic cowl blouses by designer Mami Suzuki (MSG).  Many of these are wool and silk and have the quality and look of vintage-y 60's pieces but thankfully, without the unwanted issues of vintage 60s' era dresses. To punch up a Mami Suzuki piece,  you can pair  your outfit with a handmade 'pin cushion' ring with chunky crystals or a peacock festooned urban corsage from the glamorously dark Weng Meng line by our own Ms.FABulous founder, Mariana Leung.

 

To visit the Creator's Co-Op store, take the N/Q subway to the last stop at Ditmars/Astoria Blvd and walk a few blocks down 23rd avenue.  Grab some Greek baked delights and coffee and head into the Co-Op to find cool gifts for friends, or yourself !

Gaetano Cannella at work on his collection