Where Art Gets Cozy
In an industry that’s continuously changing few businesses can claim both deep roots and forward-thinking innovation. Biquette, a modern custom blanket brand, is one of them —and behind it is Andy Concilio, a textile veteran whose journey from New York's sweater factories to co-founding one of the most distinctive blanket brands in the country is nothing short of inspiring. Andy’s story is the story of American textiles—a tale of local manufacturing, economic shifts, and resilient reinvention.
A Life Stitched into Textiles
At just 11 years old, Andy found his first job in a local sweater factory in New York as a cutter’s assistant. That started him on a path towards textiles, eventually launching his own cut-and-sew shop in Ridgewood, Queens in the 1980s. Then the heart of the U.S. sweater industry, there were about 600 knitting mills in just a five-mile radius of Ridgewood. Andy recalls, “Queens was a tight-knit community of cut-and-sew shops, dye houses, and knitters. Everything happened locally.” The area didn’t just produce textiles; it produced opportunity. Immigrants from Germany, Italy, and later Slavic countries fleeing conflict, found jobs, mentorship and in many cases, a chance to open their own businesses. Entrepreneurs like Andy thrived building a resilient, local supply chain. However, by the late 1990s, that system began to unravel.
Global Policy, Local Fallout
A series of government policies—most notably the Provision 807(A) encouraged U.S. manufacturers to shift labor-intensive production to the Caribbean, and later Mexico. While fabric and yarn were still sourced domestically, the majority of sewing work moved offshore. Though designed to help U.S. firms stay competitive, Provision 807(A) inadvertently fueled a wave of closures across domestic factories. Eventually, U.S. cotton also became increasingly difficult to source as government subsidies incentivized domestic farmers to export their yield. By the end of the decade, the once-bustling textile scene of Queens, NY, had dwindled from over 600 mills to fewer than 200. Yet while many factories shuttered, Andy leaned into innovation, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become Biquette.
Reinventing Through Innovation
Andy’s early adoption of computerized knitting machines in the early 2000s allowed him to pioneer personalized, design-forward textile products, most notably the Photothrow™, a fully-customized blanket featuring digitally knitted photos. At its height, the operation produced 2,000 blankets per week, demonstrating that personalization could thrive, even in a contracting industry. This commitment to reinvention set the stage for Biquette, launching in 2021. Alongside his co-founder, Andy envisioned a brand that blends old-school textile craftsmanship with modern technology, innovation and design.
The Biquette Difference
Biquette is a values-driven brand: zero waste, zero inventory and total customization. Every blanket is made to order using the best materials available. From Egyptian cotton to Italian Merino wool, production always remains local, preserving the quality and heritage of American textile work. Each blanket is a creative project designed by an artist from around the globe. Fully-customizable, major brands like Pixar and Oracle have collaborated on limited-edition blankets, and regular customers can request their own specialty projects at discounted pricing.
With plans to expand into hospitality in 2025, Biquette is poised for growth. For Andy, the mission remains clear: create meaningful, lasting products. His favorite part about his career? Seeing a smile on a customer’s face when they receive their customized throw. To finish it off, we asked Andy for his best advice for any business owner: “Learn how to make something people want. Don’t worry about what it costs—focus on what you can earn long-term. And most importantly, never stop asking questions.” Remember that five mile radius with over 600 knitting mills in Queens? Well, now there’s just one mill left. And Biquette is one of six mills in a larger 50 mile radius in that same area. Don’t let the industry dwindle away, support made in the USA manufacturing today with Biquette.
