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Wunderkinds2016
Matthew Demeo, 26 Founder, Designer, and Fabricator, Mateo Mattia
Most artists tend to flock to Brooklyn and Manhattan. But Matthew Demeo is intent on building a fashion brand—as well as a lively network of local artists—right in his hometown of New Rochelle. The Fashion Institute of Technology gradu- ate is founder of the handmade leather accessories line Mateo Mattia, which he launched in 2015. He’s also the mind behind the New Rochelle Arts Collective, which seeks to acti- vate the arts within the Queen City. Demeo designs, sews, and stitches each item in his collection, including wallets, watchbands, and tote bags. He sells from his appointment- only showroom near down- town New Rochelle, at nearby craft shows and pop-up shops, and online via Etsy, among other places—all of which have resulted in a quadrupling of sales since last year. People often suggest that he produce in greater volume, to reach a global audience, but Demeo says this goes against his desire to build a sustainable fashion brand. “I want my customers to know where their product is coming from, to know how it’s made and under what condi- tions it’s being manufactured,” says Demeo. —Tanya Klich
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