The fashion designer announced his upcoming retirement after over two decades of dressing the 2SLGBTQI+ community…
It’s a popular brand sold at many 2SLGBTQI+ retailers and was featured in a RuPaul’s Drag Race mini-challenge. Now, after years of outfitting the community, Andrew Christian is retiring. “After more than 25 years, my hands will soon lay down the needle that has guided me through this calling,” he said in a statement.
Founded in 1997, Christian posted his goodbye message earlier this week, announcing that his upcoming fall/winter collection in October, called Bespoke, will represent his final words to his customers. “Bespoke will be my final love letter to you. It honours the sacred, intimate exchange between designer and wearer—every hem, every seam will carry the depth of historical memory, the joy of creation, and the bittersweet beauty of this goodbye.”
Popular for his underwear, whose waistbands are branded with his name and typically peek above the pants and shorts of gay men, Christian’s brand was both a labour of love and crucial to his survival.
In the statement he spoke about growing up in a low income, government assisted housing facility where he was subject to racial and anti-gay slurs. “I began this journey with the wounds of my childhood still fresh…” he said.
At 18, he packed his belongings and left home for Los Angeles with a reported $500 in his pocket and a sketchbook. He has spoken about living in a converted garage, scared and alone when he arrived. “My sketchbook was my only companion, my armor against loneliness,” he shared. Fashion became his sanctuary and an affirmation of his gay existence. “Each stitch was a heartbeat; each garment, not just a part of my story, but my coming out.”
From there he created an empire. His products appeared in stores internationally as did his designs on runways. He introduced the world to his “Trophy Boys,” models who were usually porn stars, and Cher featured his product in the music video for the 7th Heaven Remix of her song Take It Like a Man.
As part of his goodbye, Christian provided encouraging words for the next generation of designers. “To the young queer dreamers clutching sketchbooks in the corners of rooms not built for you—I see you,” he said. “Your hands may tremble now, but they will one day shape worlds…Take the terror and hope we all carry in our youth, and stitch them into something breathtaking.”
The queer community has been reacting to the future closure on social media. While some are saying this isn’t the Pride Month news they wanted, many are congratulating him on his retirement, thanking him for making them look good or sharing how he inspired them to create their own underwear lines.
One of Christian’s “Trophy Boys,” Jermayne Larget, said on Instagram, “Thank you for your impact on our community and the visibility that you provided and even made more progressive and inclusive throughout your entire career. Thank you for giving me a dream to work towards and achieve. Thank you for allowing me to be one of your Trophy Boys!”
RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Detox, who participated in the Andrew Christian mini-challenge on season five, simply said “Congratulations my dear!”
While Christian may be hanging up the jockstrap, his legacy will no doubt continue to be felt through the countless queer designers he inspired.
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