The Man Behind the Andrew Christian Brand

It’s hard to think of a time when men’s underwear wasn’t fashionable or sexy and merely held stuff together in a bland, block cut of white. It’s also hard to think of a time when Andrew Christian, the Patron Saint of Men’s Underwear, wasn’t leading the way and pushing boundaries in celebrating the male form without apology for gay sexuality. For decades, Andrew Christian, the real designer behind the brand, has been curating cuts, patterns, and textures that celebrate the gay community while also putting activism behind his product. Touring the globe each year, he has appeared with his models at about every Pride there is and additionally, the company has donated products and time to numerous non-profit events and organizations.

The past year has been an evolution for the company. Not only has the Andrew Christian line expanded into makeup, skincare, and adult toys, but they have also expanded their inventory to include larger sizes and unveiled Unleashed, their new, limited edition fashion line that doesn’t even attempt to try to appease mainstream audiences. Unleashed is for the new gay male, where gender fluidity, a dash of flash and fringe, and body positivity abound.

Helping kick off NEST FEST, Andrew and his models will be seen at The Roost Lounge for a fun and sassy fashion show, giveaways in hand, on Saturday, March 4^th at 4 pm. We caught up with the designer over a cocktail near his Palm Springs home.

How do you keep ahead of the trends in men’s fashion? 

I would have to say I follow my instincts regarding men’s fashion. It can be a little tricky trying to predict what is going to be in style a year ahead, so I usually don’t worry about it. I follow my heart, I follow my interest, and I move forward and hope that my designs help set the trend. I would rather set the trend than have to worry about following it. 

What is your creative process from idea to production? 

I storyboard every collection along with the swatches of all the fabrics I am going to use for that season. This really helps me visualize the collection and see how it all works together. Then we make the pattern and make multiple changes to the pattern and samples until I feel that the fit is perfect and everything looks amazing.  I really love the creative process even though it is a lot of work to do it correctly.

What was the inspiration behind the new Unleashed line? 

To be a successful fashion designer, one always has to keep in mind what is commercially viable. However, for Unleashed I really wanted to ease those rules and let go of these restraints and let my imagination run wild. It’s my fashion perspective putting limits on the designs regarding if it is or isn’t commercially viable.  Unleashed is a small capsule collection, it is really an authentic expression of what I think is interesting right now. 

Unleashed is very different from the rest of your fashion, what do you love most about the line? 

I love how Unleashed lets people be truly unique and lets them express their true selves through fashion. Unleased is gender fluid, it’s non-commercial and I love pushing fashion in a new direction with this line. That’s what fashion is supposed to be…unique and personal and pushing the limits.  If it isn’t a little bit shocking, then I am not doing my job as a designer. 

Your pleated skirt has been a big hit! Why do you think it’s such a successful piece? 

I think my pleated skirt is a success because deep down many of the younger LGBTQ+ community grew up with Britney’s “Baby One More Time” video, Mean Girls, or Clueless and the skirt evokes that fantasy. It’s also extremely sexy to see a guy embracing gender fluidity wearing a super short plaid mini-skirt!

We have seen mainstream men’s fashion start to play with gender fluidity, do you think this is a phase or is it the future of fashion? 

I think gender fluidity is the near future of fashion. Conventional standards of what men can wear have been changing for years. This is a natural evolution and I embrace it. Of course, as with everything else, fashion goes in cycles but in 50 years I think men’s and women’s fashion will ultimately converge. 

How do you think you’ve changed the most as a designer from your early years? 

I have learned to listen to my customer’s needs and wants. Also, a commercial designer has to design clothes that can be worn every day. One can’t design items just to shock or only design items they themselves love and expect everyone to embrace them. Design is a two-way street between the designer and the customer with a sprinkle of imagination mixed in.

You have started to carry larger underwear sizes…are those sizes here to stay? What made you start to carry 2XL? 

My 2XL line extension is here to stay. In fact, I am rolling out 2XL into more styles including swimwear and sportswear. Fashion should be accepting of all body types and provide fun for everyone. 

Your models have become very diverse, even in terms of body hair. Has this been a conscious decision by the team? 

We have always had diverse models and I have always thought it was important to highlight different types of people. I have always thought that beauty and sexiness originate in all types and I am glad the industry is taking notice. 

What do you feel your customers love most about your products? 

I believe my customers love my products because we take extraordinary painstaking measures to perfect the design and cut to flatter the body.  It isn’t unusual for us to make five or more patterns and samples for a single garment to perfect the fit. Most designers do not do this extra time-consuming and costly work…but I expect perfection and our customers have also come to expect this. Our clothes may cost a little more but they are going to fit perfectly.

You have expanded the fashion line to include skincare, makeup, and sex toys. What else can we expect on the horizon? 

I am designing the ANDREW by Andrew Christian line which are super fun capsule collections of one-of-a-kind themed items.  The concept is Andrew goes to…. I am fairly sure these are going to become collector’s pieces for AC fans. 

Excited to see you and your boys at Nest Fest this year, what can we expect to see? 

Expect the unexpected! There is always a surprise when I bring my models onto a stage.  Should I have the models participate in a dildo deepthroat contest?  Let me know!

What are some of the realities of working a Pride event with your models? Is it all fun and games? 

It’s always fun getting to attend Pride events all over the world with super-hot models, but at times it’s like having kids because the models are so excited to be there they tend to go crazy. But at the end of the day, it’s amazing to get the opportunity to meet so many people.

What is your Pride message for 2023? 

Be proud and united with your LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. We are living in difficult times where our community is under attack from so many sides. We are stronger together. Our community has been through a lot and has been through difficult times and has always emerged stronger and more united. We are strong, we are beautiful, and we are fierce!

Check out AndrewChristian.com and get Unleashed!