It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, and News 12 is highlighting a Brooklyn man who has worked his way up in the fashion industry and is now using his resources to give back to others.

Sewing is a passion for Arturo Casteneda, who is the founder of his own clothing companies: Arturo Brooklyn and Storytellers and Creators. He makes luxury clothing and personal protection equipment.

"I love sewing. I just love creating. I got into the industry at a young age. My mom sewed at home to make ends meet and she also worked at a factory, and you know, I would go along with her and that's where it began,” said Casteneda.

Growing up in Texas, Arturo says his love for fashion brought him to the city, where he now operates his own factory in the

Brooklyn Navy Yard--working alongside his staff of Latin employees.

He says when the pandemic hit, he wanted to help his team stay employed so he transformed from creating high-end clothing to creating PPE for city employees.

"We were able to produce over 150,000 gowns. We hired tons of families. We were able to make an impact in the city,” said Casteneda.

He says he’s worked along his fashion journey with major designers such as Ralph Lauren, that his work has been seen on every major red carpet and he’s even won awards.

Casteneda says he is working on launching his newest collection, Beauty for Ashes, a clothing line that represents hope and rising from nothing to something beautiful.