Nic Tailor designer Audie Cooper discusses making “Underwear for All”
Nic Tailor is a new underwear company whose goal is to make people of all sizes look and feel great in clothing that’s tailored specifically for their body type!
Social Media often portrays unrealistic body types, often making others feel insecure about themselves. Nic Tailor is here to change that by promoting body diversity and inclusion.
With their new body positivity campaign, Nic Tailor is determined to showcase and spread the word that all body types are meant to be represented. Their goal is to create underwear for all, and that is exactly what Nic Tailor’s designer, Audie Cooper, has been doing!
We recently had a chat with Audie Cooper to discuss how he decided to start making underwear for people of all sizes and the future of Nic Tailor.
Bear World Magazine: Can you tell us a bit about your background in clothing design? How did you get started with Nic Tailor?
Audie Cooper: I have worked for over 40 years in garment product development, working with teams to bring a concept or idea to a finished sellable product. The list spans from tuxedos to panties, and of course, men’s underwear.
BWM: Who or what influences your design or design process?
AC: You have to stay current with the market and understand that a great fitting garment just makes you feel better. I have always leaned to the technical design side to comprehend how to make a garment fit better with fabric or pattern adjustments.
BWM: If you could design anything for anyone what would it be?
AC: I have worked with celebrities and was delighted to see a tuxedo that I did for one being worn at a White House gala. Understanding that men come in all shapes and sizes, I enjoy the challenge of fitting the everyday man, to help them feel the best that they can.
BWM: What made you decide to work on mens Underwear — perhaps one of the hardest garments to get right for that many people?
AC: I was hired by a company that produced women’s lingerie and men’s underwear. I started off in women’s, fitting bras and panties and then was given a chance to move to the men’s division working on outerwear and underwear. I had some excellent teachers across many USA brands at the time.
BWM: What do you love most about the Nic Tailor brand?
AC: I love how we can “tailor” the product to fit your body shape. We have seen this in womenswear for years — and they understand how much better you feel when the fit is right. Now it is time for men to have the same comfort with their underwear.
BWM: Not only is Nic Tailor making underwear for over 21 different waist sizes, with different groin size options and custom fittings, but you are also made in the USA. How easy or hard is that to accomplish affordably?
AC: Paying a living wage at the factories is one of our utmost priorities. This affects everything from yarn production to finished product cost, so it has been a challenge to make the underwear affordable. You hear people say, “I want it to be made in the USA,” but getting them to actually pay for “Made in the USA,” is a challenge.
BWM: Besides Nic Tailor’s focus on body positivity, what else do you think differentiates the brand from other mens underwear/clothing companies?
AC: There’s more sizes than just S, M, L and XL. depending on the brand, you can be from a size 33 to a size 37. That is five different sizes for us: 33, 34, 35, 36, 37. And you can get each of these sizes in a slim, regular, or large seat. So we carry 15 different fits to cover a size LARGE.
BWM: You are quoted as having come out later in life, what was the main reason for coming out when you did?
AC: When I was growing up knowing that I am gay, homosexuality was considered a mental illness; this did not change until 1973. I did not feel like I was mentally ill. I kept the feelings to myself.
Finally, I realized that to be happy I had to be honest with myself and with the ones I loved. I have a wonderful husband and a very supporting family now.
BWM: What’s in the future for you and Nic Tailor? Other garments under the brand?
AC: We are working on expanding the brand. I am in the process of developing loungewear for both men and women and that should be available early fall.
Visit www.nictailor.com to get Nic Tailored!
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