Love in Every Stitch: The Designer Who Dressed the LGBTQ+ Movement Say

After more than 25 years, my hands will soon lay down the needle that has guided me through this calling. My final words as a designer won’t be spoken aloud, but sewn into Bespoke—Fall/Winter 2025 (October), my final collection. Soon after, the company will close.

I began this journey with the wounds of my childhood still fresh—growing up gay in Fresno's Section 8 housing meant learning to endure racial and anti-gay slurs, like "beaner" and "faggot," before I knew how to properly thread a needle. At 18, I escaped to Los Angeles, trading one form of hardship for another as I found myself alone in a converted garage, all I could afford, with nothing but terror and hope intertwined. My sketchbook was my only companion, my armor against loneliness. Fashion wasn't just an aspiration; it was survival. It became my sanctuary, my declaration of gay existence. Each stitch was a heartbeat; each garment, not just a part of my story, but my coming out. For over a quarter of a century, I have poured my soul into this craft—building not just clothes, but sacred havens where my LGBTQ family could feel seen, valued, and beautiful.

As a boy who found refuge in the seams I stitched when the world offered me none, I never imagined the extraordinary journey this art would take me on. Today, as I announce my retirement, I feel a tapestry of emotions—pride in what we have created together, excitement for what comes next, and, yes, a tender ache as I prepare for this transition. My gratitude runs deep, and Bespoke will be my final love letter to you. It honors the sacred, intimate exchange between designer and wearer—every hem, every seam will carry the depth of historical memory, the joy of creation, and the bittersweet beauty of this goodbye.

I have whispered this moment to myself for years, wondering how it might feel. Now that it's here, I find myself vulnerable beyond measure. This is the hardest thread I have ever had to cut. I must remind myself that this isn't an ending so much as a transformation. I have realized that creativity doesn't retire—it simply finds new expressions. While this particular stitch work reaches its beautiful conclusion, the fabric of my life continues to unfold in exciting new directions.

To the young queer dreamers clutching sketchbooks in the corners of rooms not built for you—I see you. Your hands may tremble now, but they will one day shape worlds. The very difference that makes you feel alone today will become your greatest strength—your signature on everything you create. Trust your instinct, even when the path feels impossible. Take the terror and hope we all carry in our youth, and stitch them into something breathtaking.

Now, I step away from the runway, carrying with me all the beauty and wisdom this journey has given me. What began as stitches of survival has blossomed into a legacy of love—and as I fold away the fabrics of this career, my spirit remains committed to creating mirrors where the unseen can finally recognize their own beauty.

To every soul who entrusted me with their vulnerability—who allowed me to dress not just their bodies, but their truths—your faith in my hands has been the thread weaving through everything meaningful I have created. With joy in my heart and endless gratitude, I thank you for letting me be part of your journey to authenticity.

With both trepidation and peace, I gather the final threads for this last collection—one last, precious chance to wrap you in the love that you have given me all these years, before I step into whatever beautiful design life has in store next.

With Love,