The Gold Medal of Grit & Glitter: Inside the Unapologetic Universe of Kris Bee Bacon
In the sterile landscape of modern fashion, where “safe” has become the default setting, one Sydney-based creative director is staging a beautiful, brassy intervention. Armed with the discipline of an Olympic licensee and the irreverent soul of the queer community, he’s building a universe where arseless “party pants” and high-end manufacturing sit comfortably at the same table. Meet the man behind Kris Bee Bacon a brand builder who isn’t just selling clothes; he’s selling the permission to be seen.
The Architect of Chaos
Based in the heart of Sydney, the man behind the brand lives a life defined by sharp contrasts. He is an Australian creative director, a seasoned brand builder, and an adopted father to an 11-year-old whose “sass levels” require more daily negotiation than a corporate merger. But before he was designing conversation-starting streetwear, he was operating in one of the most high-pressure environments on the planet: Olympic licensing.
“My background is in Olympic licensing and sportswear manufacturing,” he reflects. “I was an official licensee for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.” It was a world of global scrutiny and uncompromising standards. “That world teaches you discipline very quickly. You learn fast about quality, storytelling, brand protection, and how things need to scale properly. You don’t get second chances on the world stage.”
Today, he has taken that rigorous “master brand” mindset and applied it to Kris Bee Bacon. It is the same level of professional standards, just repurposed for a brand that is significantly more fun.
The Antidote to “Same-Same” Fashion
The genesis of Kris Bee Bacon wasn’t a business plan—it was a reaction. “Honestly, fashion was starting to feel dead,” he admits. “Too safe. Too serious. Too same-same.” He saw a world of clothing that looked like uniforms and decided to create art that actually does something.
He designs for the “Icebreaker” moment. “There’s nothing better than walking around Sydney Harbour in the Good Going Out Shirt and having the hottest guys stop you just to say, ‘Hey mate, that is such a good shirt to wear when you go out.’ That moment of connection, that split second where someone feels comfortable enough to talk to a stranger—that’s the point.”
The brand is tongue-in-cheek, proudly queer, and very Australian in its humor. Whether it makes you smile, frown, or “get a little horny,” it’s working because it’s provoking a human response.
Building a Queer Universe
Kris Bee Bacon has rapidly evolved from a clothing line into a multi-dimensional creative universe. Central to this growth is a commitment to collaboration, particularly with queer and gender-fluid artists who bring “emotional honesty” to the collections. From partnering with DJ Corey Craig to integrate sound into the brand’s identity, to actively inviting artists to reach out, the brand acts as a megaphone for the community.
But the “magic” isn’t always found in a boardroom. “Some of the best highlights come from the chaos,” he says. “Being out with mates, ideas getting thrown around, or waking up to your phone completely bombed with messages from a 2am idea session you didn’t even attend. Some ideas are brilliant. Some are completely unhinged. You need both, and both are useful.”
The $30,000 “Bitch Slap”
The road to success hasn’t been without its hurdles, particularly when it comes to the “Made in Australia” label. In an era of fast fashion and offshore shortcuts, he has faced constant pushback. “If one more person tells me, ‘You can’t make that here,’ they’re getting a bitch slap,” he says.
He’s backed that sentiment with significant investment over $30,000 in specialized machinery to develop Australian-made underwear and jocks launching in 2026. “It’s been far harder than I expected, but it matters. Proximity to the production also allows for a stronger control over quality and design. Keeping it local is deliberate” This is where the Olympic background kicks in: using systems and standards to ensure that wild creativity can exist without turning into operational chaos.
What’s Next: The 2026 Expansion
The horizon for Kris Bee Bacon is crowded with ambition. The year 2026 marks a massive expansion of the “Kris-verse”:
- Krisbees: A fresh foray into high-performance, high-style swimwear.
- Dominus: A deep dive into fetish, jocks, and underwear, featuring collaborations with community pillars like the Harbour City Bears and Sydney Leather Men.
- New Labels: The birth of Bench Bros and HexTed Beasts.
- Chaos Homewares: A collection of home goods designed for “every slut you know”—the perfect gifting solution for those who appreciate a bit of trouble.
Perhaps the most iconic member of the team is Nana Maria, the lead machinist. As the brand develops its “party pants,” she asked if she could include a personal note in the packaging: “Party hard boys. Love, Nana Maria.” “I mean… how do you say no to that?” he laughs. It is this mix of high-end manufacturing, community soul, and a sexy, “tongue firmly in cheek” grin that ensures Kris Bee Bacon isn’t just a brand it’s a movement.
