DIVE ALL IN
Summer is here, and so is our hottest issue yet! The 2025 Swimsuit Edition celebrates bold style, body confidence and the fierce spirit of our LGBTQ+ community. From poolside poses to sizzling cityscapes, we’re showcasing stunning local models rocking swimwear that’s as diverse and vibrant as Dallas itself. Get ready for sun, splash and unapologetic pride!
Happy summer!
Andrew Christian
Addicted/ES•Collection
STUDLY DUDES
COYOTE JOCKS
SHOP LOCAL
You don’t have to look far for a sexy, stylish swimsuit. Just head on down to the Gayborhood for a trio of shops that all serve up the looks for summer. Brand name swimwear as well as other poolside/summertime fashions can be found at these Dallas shops with the queer eye in mind.
Package Dallas
3926 Cedar Springs Road
PackageMenswear.com
Skivvies
4001 Cedar Springs Road
SkivviesDallas.NET
JD Love
3906 Cedar Springs Road
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End of an era
Designer Andrew Christian announces his retirement after 25 years of swimsuits, underwear and queer empowerment
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
At the beginning of June – of Pride Month — gay fashion designer Andrew Christian did the unthinkable: In an unexpected post on the company site AndrewChristian.com, he crafted a letter of goodbye to his fans, followers and his consumers.
For a quarter of a century, Christian has leveled up the underwear and swimsuit game for his mostly gay male audiences. This fall will mark his final collection.
Christian’s letter (see it online at DallasVoice.com) spoke more from the heart rather than alluding to the reasons for his decisions. But he also spoke to Dallas Voice about his decision to retire and what the future looks like for the famed designer.
Dallas Voice: Perhaps the obvious question is why now for retirement? Andrew Christian: After more than 25 years, I felt it was time to close this chapter with purpose and integrity, rather than hold on out of fear or habit. The label Andrew Christian has been my life’s work, my creative outlet and a safe space for so many in the LGBTQ+ community — myself included. This wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one.
Did you accomplish what you wanted to in the last 25 years and how do you describe that accomplishment? The most meaningful part of having my own fashion brand has been hearing the personal stories from people whose lives were touched by it. I’ve actually had young people reach out to me — often from small, homophobic towns — who were considering suicide, and they told me that the Andrew Christian brand gave them a sense of connection to the LGBTQ+ community that was completely nonexistent in their lives.
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. It’s about more than clothing. It’s about helping people feel less alone, more powerful in their skin, and proud of who they are. That connection has been the greatest gift of all.
While you’re known for a variety of designs, what do you see as the future of swimwear with the LGBTQ+ community? I think the future of swimwear within the LGBTQ+ community is all about inclusivity, self-expression and authenticity. For a long time, swimwear has been pretty binary and limited in terms of fit, function, and style. But today, more people want pieces that reflect who they really are — whether that’s more gender-fluid silhouettes, bold prints or cuts that help them feel both confident and seen.
What do you feel you’ve learned along the way? I learned you have to be authentic and yourself. When I first started, most designers avoided being openly gay — it just wasn’t the norm. But I leaned into it completely. I celebrated LGBTQ+ culture unapologetically and created marketing that was boldly gay, for a gay audience, at a time when that was considered risky. That authenticity resonated with people in a powerful way.
I hope my work helped make it not only okay but empowering to be out and proud in business, in fashion and in life. And I’d like to think I helped open doors for queer voices in fashion and beyond — showing that being authentically yourself isn’t just good for your soul, it can be good for business too.
Is this retirement just from designing? Have we seen the last of Andrew Christian? Creativity doesn’t retire — it transforms. I’m stepping away from fashion design as the world has known me, but I’m not done creating. After spending more than two decades building a brand, I finally have the space to explore other parts of myself and rediscover what truly excites me.
That could mean writing, mentoring young queer creatives, traveling or even living abroad.
I’m also deeply aware of how critical it is right now to be politically engaged. Our rights are under attack in ways we haven’t seen in decades. So part of what’s next for me may include political activism — using my voice, platform and resources to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in a louder, more direct way.
I’ve always seen fashion as a form of activism, and now I’m ready to explore what that looks like beyond the runway.