We got a chance to ask one of our long time favorites, Jockstrap Central a few questions about the first 9 years of their business. I think this interview shows their personality and why we like them so much!
How did you guys come up with the idea for Jockstrap Central?
Both Adrian and I (John) were both at career crossroads when we met 10 years ago. I was a graphic designer / programmer with an internet marketing background from my previous job and had a huge underwear fetish. Adrian always wanted to open a brick and mortar underwear store. We combined our ideas and chose to focus on the underwear style we loved the most.
Did you think it would last 9 years when you created the site?
I guess starting any new business there’s always a bit of doubt but I felt pretty confident in what we were creating. At the time I ran a community based website for underwear enthusiasts and saw a movement happening. I saw guys that were obsessed with underwear (including myself) being fueled by the Internet and the access we all had to international brands and styles. No longer were we stuck with the boring department store offerings.
What has been the biggest joy in creating Jockstrap Central?
Working side by side with my husband creating something I love with the guy I love (yeah I know, pretty sappy!)
What have been some of the more popular jocks you have sold?
Nine years and countless jockstraps, that’s a pretty tough question. The one obvious one is the Bike #10s (RIP), that’s the one that started it all. In the fashion/fetish category, anything Nasty Pig and Cellblock 13 create as their designs are so edgy and the quality impeccable. Of course, anything mesh and see-through sell well for us. Probably because we’re totally uncensored, but if I had to choose one from that category it would be the Pulse Stretch Mesh Jockstrap (hopefully back in stock soon!)
Since it’s all jockstraps, what is your favorite jockstrap?
My all time favorite jockstrap was the Nasty Pig Knockout Jockstrap in blue white and red. It’s been discontinued, but it really spoke to me on so many levels. It tickled my graphic design sensibilities with it’s retro feel and comic book reference. (I’ve included a photo).
You have always produced your own photography, do you have a favorite model? (Mine is Trent)
Our photography is core to our business. Not only is it a huge part of our image but being an online store, our job is to instill confidence in
customers when purchasing. In a brick and mortar store, customers can touch the goods. As an online store, all we have are our lengthy descriptions and our extensive and highly detailed photography. Sure, manufacturers supply photography but most isn’t great, won’t fit the format of our website, doesn’t show the detail we require and isn’t blatantly sexual or has that dash of irreverent fun that we’re all about.
As for models: There’s not one model that I don’t love (well, ok there was one but we won’t go there). I know a lot of guys have a “type” but I don’t and that’s the reason our models are so varied and based on feedback, our customers and fans appreciate that. But since you’ve asked me to choose, I’ll say that Trent is a favorite as he’s just a dream to work with and he’s so handsome but the one model who I have a (platonic) crush on would have to be Adam Stray. There’s something about him, his look, his personality that drives me crazy plus he’s definitely not shy so if there’s something mesh or something that requires frontal exposure, he’s our go to guy.
What does the future hold for Jockstrap Central?
Although our focus is and always will be jockstraps, we’ll certainly be continuing to branch out into underwear and sportswear as we’ve been doing over the past year.
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