Although some may have predicted that the name Nasty Pig would keep the brand from having a wider reach, the New York City-based clothing designer--which originally started with a fetish focus but has grown to encompass an entire lifestyle category--has a dedicated following of loyal customers and has managed to market itself to a more mainstream audience (although it retains its cheeky tag line: "fun clothing that gets you laid").
This week, Nasty Pig launched Shred of Hope, an auction of one-of-a-kind "Shredder" T-shirts designed by celebrities and notables, with 100% of the proceeds from the weeklong online auction going to New York City's Ali Forney Center for homeless and runaway LGBT youth.
Custom shirts (many of them with a wink toward kink) were designed by A-listers like Adam Lambert, Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, stage and screen actor Alan Cumming, Bravo TV host Andy Cohen, R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe, author and activist Dan Savage and husband Terry Miller, actor Ally Sheedy, the Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears, rock legend and DJ Bob Mould, Tony award-winning playwright Jeff Whitty, author and activist Keith Boykin, and many more. Also, don't overlook Isis King, who is recognized by many from America's Next Top Model, but is also a product of the Ali Forney Center's admirable work.
"I'm so excited to be a part of this project! As a graduate of Ali Forney myself it touches way closer then most would know," King said. "I'm in the middle of searching for design jobs so being hands-on making my Shredder tee in the studio was great timing and inspirational for me. I hope Shred of Hope raises a ton and Ali Forney can continue to grow so we can get more of these young adults a bed to sleep in."
Watch the video below for more information.
SHRED OF HOPE - A fundraiser for the Ali Forney Center, presented by Nasty Pig from Nasty Pig on Vimeo.
