Over the past three years, Las Vegas resident DJ Crooked has turned his boutique clothing store into a minimalist fashion destination.
In 2007, the New Yorker, born Richard Sung, launched his Keeping NY Everywhere store with DJ Neva. But it wasn’t until 2013—when Crooked debuted the KNYEW clothing line—that the store became a game changer.
“At the time, people were like, ‘Why would you leave New York?’” Crooked says about that initial move. “I don’t think anyone foresaw what was going to happen to Vegas nightlife. I thought there were more opportunities in Vegas. I would’ve never been able to open a store in New York … I’m very proud to say this is a Vegas store.”
A SKAM Artist DJ by night—playing all over the Strip including Hyde Bellagio, Intrigue, 1 OAK, Hakkasan and Omnia—Crooked began developing and designing clothes for the KNYEW brand with an attention to detail and a clean, modern aesthetic. It’s go-to style for DJs like Snake, Jauz and Slander.
“Everything that I grew up learning is getting utilized for this company,” the Art Institute alum says. “A lot of the ideas and main designs come from me, and then I refine them [with the team].
“[Even] if you’re a sales associate, I’m probably going to involve you in some way with the clothing … All of that feedback helps me to develop the brand and make it better. Everybody has input.”
Crooked knows his clothes have to be durable to endure the 24-hour lifestyle in Vegas and beyond. “You wash it 20 times. If it doesn’t get better, it stays the same,” he says. KNYEW is best known for its elongated basics, muted earth tones, curved-hem tanks, drop-crotch shorts and an arsenal of cool-kid hats. Crooked and his KNYEW team recently debuted a new UNLV collaboration featuring classic Rebel-branded strap and snapbacks and scarlet-and-gray tees.
Heading into this week’s creative lifestyle fashion trade show Agenda, KNYEW is preparing another collab, one with up-and-coming fashion brand SandalBoyz, for a taupe slide that will also inspire an apparel collection of its own. “It’s our first introduction into footwear, but it’s something I’m really excited about,” Crooked says. “We’re shaping style here in Vegas.” KNYEW at 3999 Spring Mountain Road, 702-252-5212; Sunday & Monday noon-7 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
