Fans of immensely popular LGBTQ+ fashion and underwear brand Andrew Christian are still reeling from the news that the company will be closing up shop after more than two decades of outfitting legions of gay men around the world.
Last week, the company’s queer founder and namesake designer made the shock announcement that he’s not only retiring, but also shutting down the entire line of briefs, jocks, swimsuits and sportswear by the end of the year, with a final collection dropping in October.
“After more than 25 years, my hands will soon lay down the needle that has guided me through this calling,” Christian wrote in an emotional blog entry on his website.
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“My final words as a designer won’t be spoken aloud, but sewn into Bespoke—Fall/Winter 2025 (October), my final collection. Soon after, the company will close.”
Following his early beginnings in fashion, Christian saw his brand explode once he began designing a line of sexy mens underwear in 2006.
Along with embracing the LGBTQ+ consumer, Christian’s vision included provocative marketing campaigns using local models, dancers, drag queens, and adult film stars that quickly went “viral” for its sizzling “thirsty” content, years before social media made those phrases household terms.
Ever since then his name has been a ubiquitous sight on the waistbands of men’s briefs, jocks and thongs from coast-to-coast.
But now with the end of Andrew Christian the brand on the horizon, gays will have one less queer-owned and operated brand not only making us look cute, but also representing for the community.
Following the news of his pending retirement, Andrew Christian chatted with Queerty about his decision to exit the fashion business, how changes in the market and the current political climate are behind not selling the company, what fans cans expect from his final collection, his legacy with the LGBTQ+ community, and what really went on behind-the-scenes of those racy videos. Plus, he opens up about his future plans and the one celeb he loved to get into his underwear before he officially calls it quits.
QUEERTY: After 25 years, why did you decide to retire now?
ANDREW CHRISTIAN: I felt it was time to close this chapter with purpose and integrity, rather than hold on out of fear or habit. Andrew Christian has been my life’s work, my creative outlet, and a safe space for so many in the LGBTQ+ community — myself included. This wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one.
Your fashion brand is immensely popular. Is there a reason you are choosing to close it down rather than sell it?
The truth is, the fashion landscape has changed dramatically. There’s been a clear shift in consumer behavior, with many people — especially younger generations — buying from fast fashion platforms like Shein and Temu, where you can get underwear for $3. These platforms are heavily subsidized by the Chinese government as part of a broader strategy to dominate global markets — the same approach they’ve used successfully in industries like steel. When you’re competing against $3 underwear that’s being sold at a loss as part of a government economic strategy, the math becomes pretty clear.
Before making the decision to close, I actually reached out to all the major apparel companies, offering them the opportunity to acquire Andrew Christian. Unfortunately, none showed interest. Along with the dumping of Chinese fast fashion into our market, the political climate seems to have made it unpopular for large companies to invest in gay brands. There’s a reluctance to associate with LGBTQ+ focused businesses that simply wasn’t there a few years ago.
If the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t support other gay brands, gay bars, and similar businesses, there will be no gay businesses left. We’re at a critical moment where our own community needs to make conscious choices about where we spend our money, or we’ll lose the very spaces and brands that have supported us for decades.
What has been the most meaningful thing about having your own fashion brand?
Hearing the personal stories from people whose lives were touched by it. I’ve actually had young people reach out to me — often from small, homophobic towns — who were considering ending it all, and they told me that the Andrew Christian brand gave them a sense of connection to the LGBTQ+ community that was completely nonexistent in their lives. Knowing that Andrew Christian underwear gave someone the confidence to love themselves more, to feel seen, or even to come out of the closet — that’s what matters most to me. It’s about more than clothing. It’s about helping people feel less alone, more powerful in their skin, and proud of who they are. That connection has been the greatest gift of all.
You’ve definitely been an inspiration to many. Was there someone in pop culture that was an early influence on your work?
RuPaul in the early ’90s — seeing a drag queen break into mainstream media with such confidence and glamor was groundbreaking and hugely inspiring to me.
You were a marketing innovator from the start, using video and creating content to spotlight your designs years before social media (Instagram/TikTok). Some of those clips were pretty provocative. What’s the wildest thing that happened behind-the-scenes of those videos that you can share?
Ha! You know the rule — what happens behind-the-scenes stays behind-the-scenes! But honestly, looking back now, the “wildest” moments were actually the most beautiful ones. I remember shoots where we’d be laughing until we couldn’t breathe — like when a model got his underwear on backwards and we didn’t notice until halfway through filming, or when someone would trip over a light cord and we’d all just burst into laughter instead of getting frustrated.
What I’ll miss most are those quiet moments between takes when a shy model would suddenly open up about his life, or when we’d all be sitting around after a long day of shooting, still buzzing with creative energy, talking about dreams and fears and what it meant to be part of something bigger than ourselves. These weren’t just photo shoots — they were moments of connection, of building confidence, of creating a safe space where people could be their most authentic selves. The real magic was never just the final images; it was the community we built, frame by frame, laugh by laugh. Those are the memories I’ll treasure forever.
What’s the biggest misconception people might have of being a designer and working with so many attractive models?
Most of the models I cast were actually amateurs because I only wanted to shoot gay models, and they were often very nervous to be on set. There was something so beautiful about watching these guys transform from being scared and insecure to finding their confidence and owning their sexuality in front of the camera. Many of them had never done anything like this before — some were still figuring out their own identity, others were just starting to come out.
I became more than just a designer to them; I was like the mother of the house, very much like a drag house dynamic. I’d spend time talking them through their nerves, helping them see their own beauty, teaching them how to move and pose but also how to embrace who they were. There were moments when a shy guy would suddenly light up during a shoot, and you could see this incredible confidence bloom right before your eyes. I try to guide them not just professionally, but personally too — being there when they needed encouragement, celebrating their growth, sometimes even helping them navigate coming out to their families.
We really became one big, loud, proud, gay family — and watching these men discover their power and beauty has been one of the most rewarding parts of this entire journey.
How would you like your brand and the work you did to be remembered?
I’d like my brand to be remembered as a trailblazer. When I first started, most designers avoided being openly gay — it just wasn’t the norm. But I leaned into it completely. I celebrated LGBTQ+ culture unapologetically and created marketing that was boldly gay, for a gay audience, at a time when that was considered risky. That authenticity resonated with people in a powerful way. I hope my work helped make it not only okay but empowering to be out and proud in business, in fashion, and in life. And I’d like to think I helped open doors for queer voices in fashion and beyond — showing that being authentically yourself isn’t just good for your soul, it can be good for business too.
What can you tell us about your final collection, Bespoke? And do you have plans for a big send-off or a runway show?
Bespoke — my final collection — is actually a very small and conservative collection. It was designed based on concepts that I would wear myself, so nothing crazy, just classic and timeless pieces. This is a love letter to everything I’ve built and everyone I’ve dressed. This is me choosing grace, gratitude, and closure, while opening myself up to new creative possibilities.
As for a big send-off or runway show, I honestly haven’t had a chance to think about it, but everyone I meet has been asking me for one last fashion show and runway experience. Maybe that’s something I should seriously consider — giving people a proper farewell moment.
Is there a celebrity you’d still love to see in your underwear/designs before retiring your line?
What’s next? Will fashion continue to be involved in your creative pursuits or are you venturing into something completely different?
Creativity doesn’t retire — it transforms. I’m stepping away from fashion design as the world has known me, but I’m not done creating. After spending more than two decades building a brand, I finally have the space to explore other parts of myself and rediscover what truly excites me.That could mean writing, mentoring young queer creatives, traveling, or even living abroad. I’m also deeply aware of how critical it is right now to be politically engaged. Our rights are under attack in ways we haven’t seen in decades. So part of what’s next for me may include political activism — using my voice, platform, and resources to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in a louder, more direct way. I’ve always seen fashion as a form of activism, and now I’m ready to explore what that looks like beyond the runway.
One last question. Boxers, briefs, jock or thong?
A skimpy brief — it’s literally my brand! Though after 20+ years of designing them, I could probably identify the exact style and year just by touch!
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