In a post on social media on Tuesday, the founder of the iconic underwear brand, Andrew Christian, announced that the company would be shutting down after two decades in business. He told Queerty in a recent interview that the fashion industry is facing new challenges amid the rise of fast fashion and the contentious current political landscape. "Theres been a clear shift in consumer behavior, with many people especially younger generations buying from fast fashion platforms like Shein and Temu, where you can get underwear for $3," he said. "Along with the dumping of Chinese fast fashion into our market, the political climate seems to have made it unpopular for large companies to invest in gay brands. Theres a reluctance to associate with LGBTQ+ focused businesses that simply wasn't there a few years ago.Christian wrote a heartfelt statement to his followers on X that reads, "Today, with tears, gratitude, and a heart full of memories, we close the Andrew Christian website. It's with a heavy but deeply grateful heart that we say goodbye." He goes on to write, "Thank you to every single person who wore our designs, shared our vision, and became part of this family you gave this brand its soul. The site may go dark, this chapter may end but the love, the stories, and the community we built together will stay with us forever." Now, when users visit the brand's website, they're met with a banner that reads: "Andrew Christian is now closed. Thank you for your loyalty and support over the years." See on Instagram Christian bowed out of the business with grace in a final Instagram post, accompanied by another statement. "As I take this final bow, I just want to say thank you to everyone who believed in me, my work, and the world we created together," his caption reads. "What began as a queer kid's survival turned into a movement of self-expression, visibility, and unapologetic joy. Together, we didn't just make clothes we made space. We built a community. We made people feel seen. Closing this chapter is emotional, but my heart is full because of you."He ended the post by thanking his supporters. "Thank you for standing with me. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for being part of this legacy."