Nasty Pig
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion, Menswear |
| Founded | October 31, 1994 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Frederick Kearney, David Lauterstein |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Key people | Frederick Kearney (Creative Director), David Lauterstein (Chief Executive Officer) |
| Products | Menswear, underwear, jockstraps, denim, shorts, T-shirts, swimwear, accessories, fetish-themed bedding, silk neckties |
Number of employees | 12 (2017) |
| Website | nastypig |
Nasty Pig is a New York City-based American menswear label established in 1994 by Frederick Kearney and David Lauterstein, who continue to hold the roles of creative director and chief executive officer, respectively. As a gay-owned enterprise, it originally catered to the leather subculture through its sportswear collections.
Over time, the brand broadened its offerings to encompass underwear, jockstraps, denim, shorts, T-shirts, swimwear, and various accessories, with a core focus on the gay male demographic. Its product lineup still reflects elements of sexual fetishism, including bondage harnesses, rubber jockstraps, and fetish-themed bedding. Additionally, Nasty Pig produces silk neckties woven with subtle incorporations of its logo.
Characterized by Out as a fusion of punk aesthetics, urban graffiti influences, and innovative materials, Nasty Pig is well-known for masculine athletic apparel infused with fetishistic undertones. Industry experts note its strong resonance with sexually assured men through daring color schemes and designs. The company's slogan proclaims it offers "fun clothing that gets you laid."
In 2013, Nasty Pig earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list and opened its flagship boutique in Chelsea, Manhattan in 2014. By 2017, the firm operated with a compact team of 12 employees while maintaining a significant foothold within specialized fashion sectors.
History
Nasty Pig Incorporated came into existence on October 31, 1994, founded by partners Frederick Kearney and David Lauterstein—who still serve as creative director and chief executive officer. The duo met in New York City in 1993 and initially sold "re:vision goggles" to the Club Kids. Revenue from these sales enabled them to pivot toward apparel production from their West 23rd Street apartment. The company’s name was inspired by their pet dog Piggy and was conceived as a counter-response to the stigmatization stemming from the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Lauterstein attributes creative inspiration to New York City's hip hop culture alongside sports such as baseball, basketball, CrossFit, football, mixed martial arts, and weightlifting.
Their original retail space was a modest 72-square-foot store named 're:vision,' which offered T-shirts, rubber chaps, superhero-style sleeveless shirts, and vinyl pants. Early retail partnerships included Leatherman in New York City and Mr. S in San Francisco. National expansion accelerated following exposure at Chicago's annual fetish event, the International Mr. Leather. According to ChicagoPride.com, Nasty Pig gained prominence for producing machine-washable rubber items like Playsheets and quickly became the preferred brand among New York’s younger fetish community before extending its reach internationally. It pioneered branded jockstrap sales within its sector, while its NP Jean collection emerged as a top-selling stretch denim.
The company achieved rank number 3,060 on the 2013 Inc. 5000 list highlighting America’s fastest-growing businesses. That year’s video lookbook showcased notable figures from the gay nightlife scene such as Juliana Huxtable. In 2014, Nasty Pig moved its flagship location to a more spacious venue on West 19th Street in Chelsea, Manhattan. A 2015 thirty-second commercial titled "Give/Receive" encountered broadcast obstacles but represented the brand’s inaugural national advertising campaign during RuPaul's Drag Race.
Nasty Pig’s apparel has been donned by celebrities including James Franco, Lady Gaga, and Madonna. In 2018, the company partnered with Versace to style Olly Alexander for Paper magazine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CEO Lauterstein received commendations for his effective leadership in guiding business continuity efforts and collaborating with the New York City Department of Health on public health initiatives. In 2020, Crain's New York Business acknowledged him as an influential LGBTQ executive and business figure.
Activism and influence
In 2013, Nasty Pig introduced Shred of Hope, a charity auction featuring "shredder" T-shirts designed by celebrities, with proceeds supporting New York City's Ali Forney Center, the largest LGBT community hub in the United States. Prominent contributors included Dustin Lance Black, Keith Boykin, Andy Cohen, Alan Cumming, Adam Lambert, Michael Stipe, among others.
The Advocate highlighted Nasty Pig's evolution "from a modest $50 startup to an internationally recognized apparel brand," impacting the kink, fetish, queer, and luxury fashion sectors. The label has earned acclaim as a "pioneering menswear brand." Ross Forman of ChicagoPride.com emphasized that founders Kearney and Lauterstein established the first brand centered on gay culture, with Nasty Pig flourishing throughout the years. Furthermore, Out commended the company for breaking new ground by featuring hairy, bearded models in their campaigns, thereby redefining traditional notions of masculine attractiveness.
See also
External links
- 1994 establishments in New York City
- American companies established in 1994
- Chelsea, Manhattan
- Clothing brands of the United States
- Companies based in Manhattan
- Fetish clothing manufacturers
- Gay culture in the United States
- Leather subculture
- Menswear designers
- Retail companies established in 1994
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment