Today Divine is thrilled to interview Mr. Andrew Christian Underwear Mogul, fashion icon and maker of extremely hot and sexy videos. We’re sure you’ve seen at least one of them. If not, we’ve posted our favourites below for you to drool over.
Andrew, thank so much for the interview, and we’re thrilled to be given the opportunity to ask you some questions.
Divine took a Facebook poll asking people the questions they would like to you to answer. It was really interesting to see the sorts of questions they came up with up and a lot of them form a part of this interview.
Divine: I understand you started designing clothing for friends to wear to clubs, then went to fashion school in Los Angeles, started your own company selling sportswear and swimwear, then underwear. From there it just grew and grew until we have the empire that is Andrew Christian today. How did you get started in designing underwear to the extent you do- was there a particular catalyst that sparked this off?
Andrew: Underwear was something I had been wanting to do a few years before I began. I stared off my underwear collection very small with only 4 styles, and they did remarkably well. After that I just kept expanding my collection over the years
Divine: How do trends change from year to year (across all your fashion, underwear, sportswear and swimwear) and what do you feel is your most progressive underwear design to date?Andrew: There are always trends even in underwear. Colors come and go from season to season. Right now I am trending my collection into more primary colors. Black is the new black. I would have to say my most progressive design was my FlashLift boxer. When I introduced this style it made a sensation. Nobody had every designed a functional undergarment to lift the butt. I am still producing this item today, with a little variation on the original.
Andrew: There are always trends even in underwear. Colors come and go from season to season. Right now I am trending my collection into more primary colors. Black is the new black. I would have to say my most progressive design was my FlashLift boxer. When I introduced this style it made a sensation. Nobody had every designed a functional undergarment to lift the butt. I am still producing this item today, with a little variation on the original.
Divine: Would you ever consider branching into making fashion in these categories again especially for women? In 2008/2009 you started doing this but now it’s not the case.
Andrew: Right now I am focusing on the client base that has helped make me strong. That being said I am expanding into different categories like accessories.
Divine: I confess one of the strangest questions I’ve seen posed in online forums is this one – ‘Can a straight man buy and wear Andrew Christian underwear without people thinking he’s gay?’ It’s quite a heady tribute when a brand actually creates such an image in a man’s head to this extent. It’s also a little startling that in some people’s mind, the brand you wear can be seen to be announcing your sexual preference. What would you reply to this person if he asked you himself?
Andrew: I’ve actually found over the years there are quite a few straight men who wear Andrew Christian underwear. They are usually introduced to the brand by their wives or girlfriends, but once they try it they fall in love with the comfort of the underwear.
Divine: Your videos are well known for their incredibly sexy, erotic feel with sometimes no holds barred imagery and insinuations. How much input do you personally have into the making of them? Do you have a favourite production?
Andrew: I have a lot of input into the concepts and content of my video production. I work very closely with my team. I have to ensure that my videos speak to our costumer and represent our community in a positive light. My favorite video was the “Black/White” video. It wasn’t our most popular video, but I love how artistic the cinematography is in the video.
Divine: We all assume you wear your own designs- is there any specific design you like to wear personally?
Andrew: My favorite pair of Andrew Christian underwear is the Almost Naked brief. I have the Almost Naked brief in so many colors in my closet. You would be amazed to see my underwear drawer at home.
Divine: What inspires you to create something new? How do you find the creativity for your new designs? Is it someone remarking they want to tighten their butt, enhance their groin areas or perform as an athlete with something trendy yet comfy that makes you go out and decide how to design something to do this?
Andrew: A lot of times I’m inspired to design by my own personal want or need for a product. I also like to take into consideration my customers lifestyle and needs and how my product can be most useful to them.
Divine: Is there anyone out there, gay or not, who you’d like to convince to be the star in your next underwear video?
Andrew: It would be super exciting to see Channing Tatum in a nice pair of Andrew Christian’s and strut his stuff for the camera. Talk about a viral video!
Divine: Working with so many models and exceptionally attractive men, how do you see the whole body image thing developing in society? Do you think you simply promote male beauty, and that people should attain that ideal or is there room for guys who might not fit the usual Andrew Christian mould?
Andrew: The models I choose to use not only look good, but I make sure they have great personalities also. As a model they are ambassadors of the Andrew Christian brand and must have a certain standard to uphold. I think my brand promotes a healthy image. I have met countless people on my travels about how they have lost weight to look better in my underwear designs. I am just happy that I can have a positive influence in somebody’s lifestyle. It’s true my underwear look great on my models with perfect bodies, but the design of the underwear are made for people with real everyday bodies. The underwear are designed to make you feel more confident and sexy no matter what size or shape you are.
Thanks so much for answering these questions, Andrew and giving us all a little more insight into the man behind the fabulous designs we see. It’s been a pleasure having you here at Divine Magazine. We’d also like to say a huge thanks to Assistant Marketing Manager, Drew LeQuang, at Andrew Christian, Inc. for helping Divine put this interview together.
