What Queer-Led Design Means at NYTC
Chelsea Downs founded New York Toy Collective in 2012 because she wanted a product she could not find. Shilo came from that problem: one posable silicone design for packing and play.
Updated
The details matter more than a label on the company. A product still has to fit, function, and be understandable to the person using it.
Start with the use
For Shilo, the design problem involved wearing and play in the same piece. A posable core supports that change of position, while the silicone layers have different firmness. Our construction guide explains those features separately.
Jack addresses a different use: a packing shape with an internal stroker channel. Pump cylinders have another fit problem. Each shape starts with a different use.
Describe the materials accurately
We handcraft our silicone products and leather harnesses. With silicone, the choice of firmness changes how a surface feels and how the toy holds its shape. With a harness, the cut and placement of the straps affect support.
Accurate specifications help you decide more than a broad claim about who a product is for. Check dimensions and intended uses even when a design was made with your community in mind.
Keep the conversation practical
Ask about the part that matters to you: a cylinder opening, a harness adjustment, or how a toy sits in clothing. We can discuss equipment without deciding what you should want from it.
For the founding story, read how Shilo began. For the current range by function, use the gear directory.
