UrbanUpdate

In this golden age of lifestyle products, when you can order controlled substances to your home packaged like French candies or Hermès scarves, when face creams can alter gene expression, when the rose-quartz-dildo market not only exists but thrives, it is staggering that more brands are not entering the luxury condom business—which is why we were thrilled to talk to Alexander Wang about his forthcoming collaboration with Trojan, called “Protect Your Wang.” It’s about time!

To be clear: Alexander Wang, despite being a wang protector, has not reinvented the condom. A branded Trojan will, however, be included in his Protect Your Wang capsule, which launches today—alongside sloganed T-shirts, socks, and hats, with a cut of the proceeds benefiting the New York City LGBT Center—all in honor of New York City’s Pride celebration. (There’s going to be a float, too, but I will let him tell you about it.) The designer spoke to GQ about his Pride plans, what the world’s most luxurious condom would look like, and, you know, the most stylish way to protect one’s wang.

GQ: Can you explain your Trojan collaboration for me?Alexander Wang: It started last year—I reached out to Trojan and really wanted to do something with them for Pride. Trojan is a leader in their industry and such a recognizable name, it was such an obvious choice, but it was so last-minute that we didn’t really get to share it with everyone. They were open to collaborating again this year, so we did a capsule collection, donating a portion of the proceeds to the LGBT Center here in New York. It goes right to education programs on sexual health. I’m honored to be doing it again this summer.

How long in your career did it take you to realize you could capitalize on a Wang pun?[Laughs] You know what? I don’t know how long it took. I’ve been a big fan of Trojan for so long, and I really think that working with them, and such an incredible brand that stands for such important values at such an important time, it was such a great combination altogether. I was excited we were able to put it together.

What do you mean when you say this is an important time?Being from San Francisco, Pride is something I’ve experienced from a very young age—and I’ve always looked forward to it. That celebration of optimism and bringing people together not only for what they have in common but how they’re different. I love that message. Especially in today’s world, when there are so many divisive messages, the timing could not be more important or better celebrated. It’s an important month in general, for us in the community and beyond.

When I first skimmed the press release—I’m so sorry, but I thought you were going to be making condoms. You aren’t making condoms, right?There will be branded condoms, but the collection is not exclusively those.

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As a figure in the luxury industry, what do you think the most luxurious condom in the world would look like (or feel like)?Okay, let me think about this. I would say, if I could, I would tint it black. I would say that it would have the technology or the innovative nature to be able to adjust to each person’s preferences, whether it’s size or texture or body heat, all of those kinds of characteristics. Maybe one day we won’t have to have different condoms but just one that captures all of those characteristics.

It almost sounds like you’re describing something with a Bluetooth function.We’ll see. If anybody would do it, it would be Trojan.

How do you think condoms can be better?That I’ll have to leave for Trojan to answer. Hopefully, I’ll be able to work on it with them.

This is my last condom-specific question, I swear. If you had to reissue an iconic Alexander Wang style in condom form, what would it be? If you had to make, like, the Rocco condom…[Laughs] That doesn’t sound comfortable.

I’m sorry.We have a condom keychain we make that’s actually one of our best-selling accessories—it’s sold out twice already, so we’re reissuing it again this season. It’s a metal condom, available at the store. It’s fun and people enjoy it, I’ll say that, but it’s definitely not functional.

What are your Pride plans?We have the float that we worked on, and we’re excited to bring it back this year. It was inspired by that outdoor Venice Beach gym vibe, and imagining it in a Brutalist, black-metal, industrialist way. Then we’re headed to a party at Pier 30.

Aside from the parade, how do you celebrate Pride in New York?I really just get together with my friends—this is the one time of year when we all get together and just celebrate. Being a New Yorker, you get jaded about going out and going to bars, but we can go bar-hopping and relive that excitement of moving to New York. It’s like coming here for the first time, all over again.

What’s the best gay bar in New York City?I’m more into the parties that move around. I’m excited for Ladyfag’s party on Saturday at Brooklyn Mirage. That’s going to be incredible.

What advice would you give to somebody about to experience their first NYC Pride parade?Of all the parades I’ve been to, New York is my favorite, because it gets really rowdy once you get down to Christopher Street. Study the street signs, make sure you have exit plans if you get stuck, but enjoy it, meet people, and have fun.

I thought you were going to tell us to use protection.And that, too. [Laughs]

The "Protect Your Wang" collection is available at the Alexander Wang flagship in New York, and via the brand's Instagram page.

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