Cazwell Goes Commando, Launches Underwear Line - Exclusive Interview

Cazwell is a well-known rapper known for his songs with gay themes and sexy videos. He recently launched a line of underwear called Ice Cream Truck after his hit single with the same name. The line is a collaboration with designer Geoffrey Mac. We had the chance to sit down with Cazwell to discuss the collection, his underwear preferences, and what's next for the rapper. Check out the exclusive interview below.

MUB: Hello Cazwell, how are you? 
Cazwell: Good, thanks!

MUB: I'm a long-time fan and follower of your music. Let's get down to business and ask what we all want to know, what underwear are you wearing right now? 
C: Well today is long overdue laundry day so I’m actually free ballin’ right now in a pair of basketball shorts. But my whites are in the dryer, so I should have a fresh pair soon :)

MUB: Besides your own line, what would we find in your underwear drawer? Do you have a favorite style? Favorite brand?
C: I honestly have never have been a designer underwear kind of guy. I usually just run to Macy’s and grab a pack of Tommy’s or Calvin boxer briefs. I used to be strictly boxers kind of guy. It wasn’t until last year that I moved up to boxer briefs, lol.

MUB: What prompted you to start this line? What was the inspiration, besides the song of course? 
C: We were originally looking at sportswear. We wanted to do some basketball shorts and matching tanks, but then I said let’s just start with one simple product. I always wanted to get into the underwear business, and I did a lot of research with underwear buyers. We bounced back and forth with a bunch of names for it but landed on Ice Cream Truck because I’m associated with that video more than any other and it gave us the opportunity to work with a theme.

MUB: How involved were you in the design process? 
C: Very. I love working with Geoffrey Mac. They involved me in every step. It took a long time to figure it out. The things you think are simple like finding the right kind of elastic band to print the design on is actually extremely tedious, and there is a lot of testing involved but we finally got it right.

MUB: Will we be seeing you in "Ice Cream Truck"? 
C: Absolutely!! I’m planning the new ad campaign now. You’ll also see some new models. I'm excited about it!

MUB: It looks like the line is selling like hot cakes, or should we say hot pants? Do you have plans for expanding the line? Will you be making other styles like briefs or jockstraps? Or playing off of other slogans or songs of yours? 
C: You know I’m already thinking about that! LOL. The next step is dropping a bathing suit for the summer along with the next batch of underwear. This line obviously just started, but I hope to move into jockstraps and boxer shorts.

MUB: What's next for you? 
C: Right now I’m casting models for my next couple of videos so if you know of any, send them my way. And YES, they will be wearing Ice Cream Truck underwear…LOL!

Project Runway Undies

Ever wonder what your favorite Project Runway hosts have on underneath?  Well then this is the perfect video for you, in it the crew discusses what they wear underneath.  Michael Kors says he wears boxerbriefs... black ones apparently.  While Tim Gunn on the other hand can't make boxerbriefs work saying they ride up too much.  Gunn prefers to go with the classic brief.  Heidi keeps plugging the virtue of tight speedos on men, does this say anything about her husband Seal? 

What Daniel Radcliffe prefers underneath...

In this interview Daniel Radcliffe confirms that he prefers briefs, although not the super-tight kind. This is the first question in the interview, so you don't have to listen to the whole thing, but you can if you want. Even though Dan wears boxers on stage in Equus, he prefers briefs in real life. Wonder why he didn't lobby to wear briefs in the show?

Exclusive Interview: WildmanT

I have had the opportunity to sit down and interview Tim Wildman [pictured below] of WildmanT. This exclusive interview goes in depth into his business, his underwear preferences, and hints at some upcoming products.

UB: What inspired you to start WildmanT?
WM: What a lot of people don’t know is WildmanT is a family business. It started about two years ago as a solution for my mother and her excess time. Three years ago she was diagnosed with what doctors thought was going to be a terminal illness. She wasn’t able to work and run around all day like she use to. So on top of being ill, dieing, she felt functionless and useless. So I started WildmanT to give her something to do. We were just another website reselling other people’s clothes and all she really had to do was get a few orders together every couple days and go to the post office. Keep in mind, I always wanted an underwear line since college when I went to school for fashion design so I thought well this will serve two purposes.

UB: Was creating your own line all part of the plan at the beginning, or did you add that later?
WM: About 8 months ago, her illness left as quickly as it came on and the business was doing a lot more than we thought. When I realized she could do more and I wanted to do more, we started looking to make WildmanT a bigger part of our lives. We had a little momentum with our name and it was just time to start making some items of our own.

UB: What has influenced you most in the design of your products (other designers, other brands, other people, etc.)?
WM: I was a really skinny guy growing up and I was infatuated with bigger and meatier, beefier guys. As a young kid, the only people I saw like that were in underwear ads. Either the posters in the men’s section of Sears or catalogs we got in the mail, I wanted to look like an underwear guy. That silly notion turned into a legitimate interest in the industry. As I got older and became a young gay man I turned my interest into gay underwear designers. I was extremely happy when Greg from GoSoftwear needed a web designer (which I also do) and I was able to work really close with his products. I loved his low-rise underwear and how he pushed the envelope with the first padded under gear [shown] for men.

UB: You have mentioned how your business is family run, to what extent does your family help out in the business and how do they feel about the whole thing?
WM: As I mentioned, it was created to give my mother something to do, but nowadays, she does the accounting, the shipping, and the customer service. When we start new lines, before we get it produced in bulk, I make the patterns and she cuts out all the fabric and I piece them together. My brother helped launch us financially to get started with all the costs and he helps with planning and manufacturing research and follow-up. Plus, come crunch-time, no matter what needs to be done, you will see the four of us around the kitchen table working through the night to meet whatever deadline we have.

UB: You are your own model, what prompted you to do that and what do your friends and family think about it?
WM: Hmmmm, well at first I thought it was just flat out funny and a way to keep costs down. My mother was a tad worried about the extended West Virginia family seeing some of the photos, as they are not as open minded, but she got over it real quick when she was able to pay her mortgage with Ball Lifter money J My other brothers laugh their ass off and try like hell to embarrass me whenever they can. Personally, I didn’t think many people would even see them and I long forgot they are even me until someone mentions it…like my brothers.

UB: Something that people often wonder about is your name, is your last name really Wildman?
WM: I think one of the best things I ever got from my father was his name. Although a curse as a skinny little shy boy growing up, it turned out to be a defining characteristic of my own personal growth. I used to get picked on as a kid being called Wildwomen. But somewhere around the 8th grade, I became 6’4” and kicked a couple asses and permanently became WildMAN.

Yearrrrrrrrrsss later, I worked as a waiter in NYC. We punch our orders into the computer and they would come out to the cooks in the kitchen with the table number, the food order and the server name “ Wildman T” The T stands for Tim. So I just got use to “WildmanT, your order is up” “WildmanT, you are the worst waiter in the world” “WildmanT, WildmanT” You get the picture.

UB: What underwear are you wearing right now?
WM: You have no clue how often I am asked that question. Well today I am home alone working on the computer all day….so none…commando. I suppose that is not a very good plug for my own product, but you asked J

UB: Do you wear just your own brand of underwear, or do you wear other brands? What are the other brands if you wear them?
WM: I always try to wear my own brand first, but when the laundry time comes around, the secondary kind is Joe Boxer. I have always loved Joe Boxer, they are so comfortable.

UB: What is your favorite style of underwear?
WM: We are currently in production with new boxers and other sturdy low-rise styles, but I am probably always going to like our WildmanT Low Rise Leg-band Bikini the best because they are soooo comfortable…much like the Joe Boxers.

UB: What is your favorite color of underwear?
WM: My personal favorite color for underwear is yellow with white trim, but didn’t start our first line with any yellow underwear. Although I like it best, it doesn’t sell best. It will definitely be integrated in the near future.

UB: What is your favorite pair of underwear out of the whole WildmanT collection?
WM: First let me say, the stuff we are working on is my favorite but it won’t be released for a few months. But I do love the WildmanT Micro Jock Laced. I think it is sexy cool looking at the same time.

UB: Do you have plans to expand into other colors and maybe even prints?
WM: The majority of all our products are done or start off being done in-house, meaning we design, cut and sew. We are starting to work with a contractor to meet our growing needs. These items will have a lot more of the intricacies that we could not accommodate with our current equipment. So yes, new lines, new colors and a fun line of boxers called “WildmanT Big Fruit Boxers” made with four fun fruit patterns.

UB: Can you tell me a bit about your popular Ball Lifter style and what your inspiration was for that?
WM: The Ball Lifter was more of an accidental thought rather than a planned product. Like I mentioned earlier, I was the original underwear model for my own items. Well a LOT of what you see in the professional product shots are guys who naturally look “full” in underwear and a lot of great lighting. I didn’t realize this at first…but I was NOT one of those guys. So, I went the other route- fake it. I tried all the tricks I use to do back in old days when I would run photo shots for Next Magazine in New York. Stuff, pin, hike, fluff…whatever it took. So I was tying all of these techniques on myself and nothing was consistent. So I thought, shoot, if I can just put my “stuff” where it looks good and keep it there for the shot, I will be all set. After three or four different contraptions, I ended up with the simplest, most comfortable solution…and the Ball Lifter was born. I had no intention of selling it. It was almost an after thought… “gosh, I wish someone would do something like that for when I put on a bathing suit, I would love to be one of those big crotched studs out by the pool”…duh…make it yourself. By the next morning I had made a prototype, illustration, and a cartoon to boot. We sold 30 or 40 the next day.

UB: Do you have any upcoming new styles that you can tell us about?
WM: No new ball lifters, but new underwear items. I don’t have a projected release date as we are testing several contractors. But I think it is important to mention, that every product made and sold is made in the USA and always will be.

UB: You also have a blog, can you tell us a bit about that?
WM: It is just a personal journal about the process it took me to get here. It also is a place to get good feedback from viewers, customers and other bloggers. I contribute a lot of our success to our blog and more importantly other bloggers who have supported our content like yourselves.

UB: Your site promotes WildmanT as "gay mens underwear", do you really think that your underwear is just for gay men? Or do you think that straight men are also buying and wearing your products?
WM: Definitely both, as we have a lot of female customers buying for their boyfriends. I will sell to anyone, but I will not ever become a “non-gay” company even if it means a better market and more sales. Gay men have worn “straight” clothing their whole lives and have been fine with it. I target gays, but anyone is welcome to wear what I make.

UB: You have a unique section on your site for users to share their photos. Most underwear companies don't do this, why did you decide to include this section on your site?
WM: My whole marketing plan was based off of the networking of individuals, and making them feel they are part of a community and part of my company.

UB: Do you have any final comments that you'd like to make?
WM: Live green, be proud of who you are, and buy my underwear J

Exclusive Interview: Danial Webster

In a continuation of our interview series, I just sat down to interview Danial Hellman of Danial Webster Design. You may remember Danial Webster Design underwear from this review I did a while back. Anyway, here is the interview. Enjoy!

UB: What inspired you to start creating men's underwear?

DW: I was inspired by the lack of great mens underwear on the market. At the time, there weren't any brands that were fun, playful and sexy, without catering to a look that is very childish and fetishizing of little boy underwear. At the time, I was also looking for way to support other clothing design ventures, and men's underwear seemed like a good market to enter into. I figured that if I couldn't find any underwear that I really loved, there were other guys out there with the same problem.

UB: What underwear are you wearing right now?

DW: I'm wearing one of my original samples, from the beginning of it all. They're a red "punk rock" plaid.

UB: What inspires you to create the individual designs?

DW: In general, I let the fabric inspire me. As you can see, I really enjoy stripes, but over all I just hunt down fabric that inspire me. Fun energetic prints and bold graphics really inspire me.

UB: You started as a one-man operation filling all the orders yourself, is that still the case?

DW: I'm still a one man operation, but had a chance to build up a backstock earlier this year. That means no more playing catchup when bunch of orders roll in, or a new store wants to carry my line.

UB: Where do you find all the great fabrics that you use for your underwear?
DW: I hunt all over for them. I've ordered fabric from NYC and LA, but also order from online stores all over the country. I even hit the local Seattle fabric stores and buy up anything the looks like fun. I'm really hoping that in the coming year I will be able to have some fabric custom knitted for me. There's some fabrics that I'd love to have, but just can't find.....like the red plaid I mentioned earlier.

UB: What prompted you do the fun contrasting pattern on the inside of the pouch?
DW: That all started with a joke, actually. I was making underwear sample for a friend to try out and lined the pouch with a fun fabric, and realized what a great detail it was. It's in every single pair from the very first too this day.

UB: How did you decide on a pattern for the underwear? And why did you decide to go with trunks, why not briefs or boxer shorts?

DW: I started with a pattern that I already had from another project, but never really liked. I altered the waistband, pouch size, leg length and some other details to achieve the fit you all now know. I deicded on the trunk because i like them. I think they're the most comfortable style and also fairly attractive on lots of body types. I've been told by major online stores that g strings and bikini styles outsell trunks 10 to 1, but still stand by my design.

UB: Are there any plans to create briefs or boxer shorts in the future?

DW: I have considered a brief style but have yet to decide on whether to develop it, but I do know that I would much rather develop a boxer style. Unfortunately, developing a boxer would require a large output of time and money in research and development that I currently can't afford. It's definitely on my list if the company continues to grow, though. Other than these styles, I would really like to develop an all-in-one men's undergarment. I love the turn of the century all in ones and think they'd be a fun addition to my line.

UB: What do you mean by the "all-in-one" styles of men's underwear?
DW: By all in one, I mean the style that is like the underwear and a tank top all connected into one garment, with buttons or snaps down the front. Sort of like a long underwear union suit.

UB: All your underwear is limited edition. How limited are they?
DW: It varies widely. I've been trying to buy at least enough fabric to make 30 pair of a style. It's difficult to put the very limited edition styles up on my website, so not many of them make it. Currently, the truly limited editions are carried in one my retailers in Seattle, Fancy+Pants (www.pantsunderpants.com). They carry some styles that only have 3 pairs, one per size. On the high end, I can make as many as 100 pair of some styles. It's definitely a balancing act, keeping the quantities small enough that they are unique, but having enough fabric that I can make a profit off of the business. The reason many underwear lines can sell so cheaply is that they manufacture styles in large quantities, and I'm at a total disadvantage in this area.

UB: Do you always wear your own brand of underwear, or do you wear other brands as well (if yes, what are they)?
DW: I really only wear my own undies anymore. Not out of disliking all the other brands, but I just have a lot of samples that I get to keep.

UB: Besides websites, where can we find your products?
DW: Currently, I'm mostly in Seattle retailers: Fancy+Pants, Retail Therapy on Capitol Hill in Seattle and then a store called Apartment 3, in Los Angeles, CA. I'm about ready to do a new photo shoot and make a big push to get into more retailers all over the nation. Right now, its definitely spreading word of mouth, so it's a slow build.

UB: What are your goals in creating men's underwear? How do you want men to feel when they put on your underwear?
DW: I want them to feel sexy and fun. Underwear is such a personal item, and no matter what you're wearing on the outside, you can wear whatever fun, colorful, crazy undies you want and no one will know.

UB: Who is your target market?
DW: I really think the market for people looking for fun underwear defines itself. I have clients that cut across a full spectrum of classes, ages, body types. I think my product is for anyone that wants to have fun underwear.

UB: Are there plans to expand further into men's clothing (you already have some T-shirts)?
DW: I do have some tshirts, but they are more a sideline and not a focus of my line. I really want to rework my tank tops and expand my line a little with the styles I mentioned earlier. Since I am a small business still, I think my big goal is to establish myself and do this one product really great. After I've done that, I can then start focusing on other items and have the energy to really pour into perfecting them.

So there you have it! I'm interested to know what you think about Danial Webster Design. Any follow-up questions?

Exclusive Interview: O Boxers

I recently had a chance to sit down at the keyboard with Analisa, co-founder of O Boxers, to have a chat with her about her thoughts on men's underwear and her plans for her line. Here's what she had to say...

UB: What exactly prompted you to go into the business of making men's underwear?
O: I am a big fan of underwear. I love the options available to women when it comes to underwear and while I was working at Victoria's Secret in college I kept wondering why men didn't have the option of luxurious underwear that makes them feel sexy. When I was about to graduate from college, Cyn came to me with an idea of producing men's underwear using a fabric called modal. Being so soft and sensual, we blended modal with cotton and Lycra to create the softest, most sophisticated and durable underwear for men.

UB: Why the name 'O'? What exactly does it mean and what do you want it to evoke?
O: We conceptualized it around the shape of a woman's lips when she's in bed with a man. We made in purple and classy looking to be subtle about the concept.

UB: Why men's underwear?
O: Men don't get to pay as much attention to their intimate wear as women do. Good, comfortable underwear helps make women feel confident and sexy. I want to do the same thing for men, they have their fun underwear and their sexy underwear- but it will always be comfortable underwear.

UB: What was your inspiration for this line?
O: Men. I am a big fan of men and when they are confident is when they are the sexiest.

UB: What is your favorite style of underwear for men?
O: Boxer briefs. The way they hug a man is incredibly provocative and I love it.

UB: Do you have plans of expanding into other sorts of men's clothing?
O: We plan to stay a men's undergarment company. We'd like to concentrate on different styles of men's underwear. We're also looking into men's undershirts and lounge wear. That's the furthest we're planning on expanding to for now.

UB: Why black underwear? Why not other colors?
O: We are planning to start manufacturing different colors and designs. We started off with basic black because it is simple, sophisticated and black underwear has always symbolized something sexual.

UB: Why have you opted not to make a brief? Do you plan on making one in the future?
O: We feel that boxer briefs give a nice combination of the coverage of boxers, but the support of a brief. For all the brief guys out there, give it a shot. Boxer briefs are incredibly sexy.

UB: Who do you hope to target with your line of underwear?
O: Our main target is working men between the ages of 25-40. But men in general, because every man needs a good pair of underwear.

UB: Do you plan on doing any photo shoots with models in your underwear?
O: Definitely. Any interested men can shoot an email my way at: service@oboxers.com

UB: What are you plans for this line in the future?
O: Expand in colors, designs and styles. I plan to give men the options that are available to women. They can have their everyday boxers along with their special occasion boxers, all from O!

UB: Do you have any other comments?
O: Go ahead and try on a pair! http://oboxers.com

I hope you all found this interview enlightening and enjoyable. Let me know your thoughts on this interview and having interview in general on this blog. And be looking for more interviews in the future.

Tulio Interview from MensUnderwearStore

The folks at MensUnderwearStore (MUS) have decided that it would be fun to share their interviews with designers with other blogs. Below is an excerpt of their interview with Tulio, to view the full interview go to their blog.

What’s next for Tulio?

Red is going to be like black was in the 90’s - it’s popular to wear bright colors now. I go to the remote beaches of the world to search for design ideas, and I see less and less black.

How do you define “sexy”?

Sexy is not about what you wear or what you put on your body, it’s who you are and how you feel.

Not everyone looks like a model. What are your suggestions for everyone else who wants to look good in their underwear?

It’s not about what you look like at all. Fashion and sex appeal mean wearing what makes you feel good. You don’t have to look like a model to look good in the clothes that you wear.

For the full interview, visit blog.mensunderwearstore.com.

Tulio really has some good things to say, especially the part about how you do not have to be a model to be sexy. This is very true and I think everyone can apply this to their lives.