After nearly three decades in business, queer fashion icon Andrew Christian has announced the closure of his eponymous underwear brand, citing increasing pressure from fast fashion and a growing reluctance among corporations to associate with LGBTQIA+ businesses.
Christian, who launched his first clothing line in 1997 and shifted focus to underwear in 2006, revealed the news in an emotional farewell posted to his website this week.
“After more than 25 years, my hands will soon lay down the needle that has guided me through this calling,” he wrote. “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.”
In an interview with Queerty, Christian explained that he had attempted to sell the business but struggled to find buyers, with changing consumer habits and political shifts playing a role.
“There’s been a clear shift in consumer behaviour, with many people — especially younger generations — buying from fast fashion platforms like Shein and Temu, where you can get underwear for $3,” he said.
However, he noted it wasn’t just market forces that caused difficulties. “I actually reached out to all the major apparel companies, offering them the opportunity to acquire Andrew Christian. Unfortunately, none showed interest,” he said, suggesting that today’s political climate is deterring major companies from aligning with LGBTQIA+ focused brands.
“There’s a reluctance to associate with LGBTQ+ focused businesses that simply wasn’t there a few years ago.”
Christian used the announcement to urge the LGBTQIA+ community to rally behind queer-owned businesses.
“If the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t support other gay brands, gay bars, and similar businesses, there will be no gay businesses left,” he said. “We’re at a critical moment where our own community needs to make conscious choices about where we spend our money.”
While the closure marks the end of an era, Christian reflected on the brand’s impact on queer identity and visibility.
“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.”
The Bespoke Fall/Winter 2025 collection will be his final release, bringing the iconic brand’s bold and unapologetically queer journey to a close.
