LOS ANGELES—Gay porn stars don’t get much opportunity to show off their individuality in a shoot. That’s why one fashion statement has become increasingly crucial.
“We usually get naked pretty quickly, so underwear is often the only way we can show a bit of style,” laughs Leander. “It’s also a chance for us to give some exposure to brands we like and respect. I always like to wear underwear from queer-run companies when I can.”
So when Falcon teamed up with New York-based apparel brand Skull & Bones for the film The Whole Package, the performer embraced the opportunity to show off his personality.
“I never shoot in anything I wouldn’t genuinely wear myself. If I’m wearing it, I honestly recommend it,” he shares. “Then it depends on the shoot, the vibe, whom I’m shooting with; I try and match the style.”
Leander opted for the Dragon Burnout brief in a bold hue.
“Green is my favorite color, and it really works for redheads. I think half my wardrobe is green! I also love the sheer design—it’s kinda cheeky, kinda sexy, a bit of a tease, a bit of fun,” he says. “I really love how playful they are with their designs. They do the classics well, but they’re also not afraid to use fun patterns in a sexy style.”
The red-and-green combo worked wonders, helping the studio create some striking stills to promote the project—and give the brand some extra exposure.
“Alter Sin and I were tossing around ideas for a conceptual all-sex movie that would align with Falcon’s unique tone and aesthetic. We thought, ‘Underwear is quite often the lead into sex, so why not build a film around some beautifully designed pieces?’” says co-director Ben Rush.
“I’ve personally been a longtime fan of Skull & Bones’ spirit and style, so I reached out to founders and co-owners Robert and Vincent to gauge their interest in a collaboration. They were all-in from the start, and we immediately got to work on picking the styles that best complemented our performers.”
The project has been a statement piece for both brands this month. Rush relished the chance to fuse the two erotic elements.
“Underwear is one of the simplest but most powerful tools for setting the tone in an adult film. It’s not just about what’s being worn, but rather what’s being suggested,” he says. “The perfect pair instantly tells you something about the man wearing them. It also creates tension and anticipation. The best kind of underwear walks the line between exposure and restraint. You’re giving the audience just enough to imagine what’s underneath, and that tease can be as erotic as the reveal itself.”
The film unveiled its climax this week, featuring Dato Foland and Alex Palmieri in their Falcon debuts. Dato stuns in a bold blue Dragon Burnout brief, and Alex complements him in a blue-and-green thong.
“Choosing underwear is a fun part of the process. When the models get to pick something that reflects their own style or attitude, it adds a layer of authenticity and confidence that you can really feel in the movie,” says Rush. “When I’m picking underwear for the models, I think about who the guy is, how he presents himself, and what kind of energy he brings to the table.”
Also showing off their style in the project are Paddy O’Brian, John Jai, Adam Tyrant, Fabio Stallion, Allen King and Jolian.
“We knew about many of the performers, and Falcon is so renowned. It was clear to us that the partnership would be amazing,” said Skull & Bones founder and co-owner Robert. “We’ve always appreciated the way the films are shot in both an upscale and provocative style that fits well with the Skull & Bones vibe. We love the way the movie turned out because it focused on the underwear from the start, and showed off the sexy assets of each of the men. We think that teasing in the beginning is so much fun and sexy.”
The Whole Package also features Dean Young, who Rush notes is well-versed in both industries.
“I try to give performers’ garment lines a showcase whenever I can; for example, I love to use pieces from Dean’s Young Yuppy collection and from Andrew Delta’s Good Boy range. In the case of The Whole Package, the entire film revolves around Skull & Bones’ wholly unique aesthetic,” he says, adding that a collaboration with a buzzy underwear brand is a perfect crossover.
“It connects fashion, fantasy and visibility. The brand gets its product seen on the bodies and in the contexts that speak directly to its target audience, and the movie benefits from an added layer of style and social media awareness that extends beyond the adult space into mainstream lifestyle.”
Robert says the partnership brings both brands together in many ways, like audience overlap. Both companies can tap into their fan bases and provide visibility.
“We are both able to cross-promote content, which serves as product placement that showcases our brand in a sexy, aspirational context. It also brings a differentiation to a crowded market because, by partnering with an adult entertainment company, it gives Skull & Bones a distinctive niche—while also giving Falcon a new way of adding fashion tie-ins. There are new avenues of engagement for both of us.”
Robert notes that Skull & Bones offers a unique merge between quality product and fashion-forward prints and designs that cater to a vast and diverse base.
“We feature hand-painted prints that are actually created by our graphic designers, which makes each print unique and special. While we offer some very revealing styles, we do them in a classier way that shows off just the right amount. You always need to leave a little bit to the imagination.”
And that playfulness, he says, is what makes the Falcon partnership so successful. The company devoted a page to celebrate the meshing of the two brands, enabling fans to quickly connect with the styles showcased in the movie. Robert notes the plaid collection is a standout line, and the burnouts have been bestsellers.
“We’ve interpreted many of our most popular prints into our burnouts, and we’re constantly evolving them. They provide just the right amount of exposure without being completely exposed; they give a little peek of what’s underneath,” he says.
“We see this as an ongoing opportunity to provide fashion-forward designs to Falcon | NakedSword for future productions. The promotion has done well in terms of providing us with a new level of visibility and credibility in the marketplace. We look forward to continuing to work with them to see how we can evolve the customer experience and continue to push the ‘porn and fashion’ experience.”
Photography courtesy of Falcon Studios
