Andrew Christian
Andrew Christian is an American fashion designer and entrepreneur born and raised in Fresno, California, who founded the eponymous apparel brand in 1997, specializing in men's underwear, sportswear, and accessories featuring body-enhancing technologies such as pouches and butt lifters, targeted primarily at the gay male market.[1][2][3] Having endured bullying and slurs for his sexuality during childhood in low-income housing, Christian relocated to Los Angeles at age 18 or 19 to pursue fashion design studies at institutions like L.A. Trade Tech, where he honed skills through jobs at brands such as KikWear before launching his hand-sewn initial collection sold in boutiques.[1][2][4] His brand expanded globally, pioneering early social media promotion with models from adult entertainment, securing retail partnerships including Nordstrom, and innovating products like eco-friendly lines while serving celebrity clients.[1][2] Christian also authored the book SEX=POWER=FREEDOM, accompanied by a promotional tour.[1] The brand's provocative marketing, however, sparked controversies, including backlash over advertisements featuring racialized themes like a "slave harness" modeled by a person of color and videos perceived as body-shaming larger individuals, as well as public criticism of a drag performer that led to accusations of hypocrisy within the community.[5][6][7] In June 2025, Christian announced the closure of operations after the fall/winter collection, citing competitive pressures from fast fashion, declining quality perceptions, and a political environment reducing corporate support for LGBTQ+-oriented businesses.[8][3][9]