Photography John Arsenault, courtesy of GrindrFashion / NewsGrindr drops its first-ever fashion collectionThe gay dating app makes its fashion debut with a 29-piece menswear lineShareLink copied ✔️August 11, 2016FashionNewsTextTed StansfieldGrindr menswear line You all know that Grindr is a dating app for gay and bi men, but what you might not know is that the company also uses its platform to provide sexual health advice, disseminate information about PrEP, help gay Syrian refugees find safe houses – and even to sell Nicki Minaj and Madonna tickets. It’s not just about hook-ups. Today, the company proved this even further by announcing the launch of it’s first-ever fashion collection. The 29-piece ‘The Varsity Collection’ was created in collaboration with printing design studio, Print All Over Me (PAOM) who (you may recall) teamed up with the Tom of Finland Foundation on a fashion line earlier this year. Referencing queer pop-culture and Ancient Greek motifs, it features anoraks, windbreakers, swimming trunks and briefs, track pants, mesh tops, sweatshirts and jockstraps (obviously). But The Varsity Collection isn’t clothes for clothes’ sake – the line has been created to increase awareness and raise funds for LGBTQ athletes. All proceeds from the collection will be donated to Athlete Ally, a charity focussed on ending homophobia and transphobia in sports which, given the Rio Olympics, is a timely choice. “As we keep evolving, we are looking for ways to combine things people enjoy with ways to help the community globally. The collection feels sexy, cheeky, fun, but in the end, all profits are going to an amazing group that helps athletes with the issues the gay community faces all around the world. It felt like a different way to approach sports, and every partner in the mix has been amazing,” stated Landis Smithers, creative director of Grindr. However this isn’t Grindr’s first foray into fashion – back in January, the company partnered with J.W.Anderson on streaming the designer’s AW16 runway show on the app. “Fashion is in my blood and I think for a lot of gay men it is as well,” Smithers said in an interview with Dazed. “It’s a form of expression, but also our version of sports in some ways – who’s on the team, where are people moving to.” Head to the gallery above to see Grindr’s suitably Grindr-y Varsity Collection. Grindr’s Varsity CollectionPhotography John Arsenault, courtesy of GrindrEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREOscars red carpet: The 17 most controversial outfits of all timeA new Vivienne Westwood exhibition celebrates the designer’s activismRome is where the heart is at Valentino AW26This film captures Naples’ intense love affair with Stone IslandTouching grass was the biggest trend of AW26Mask4mask: Masquerade was having a moment at the AW26 showsCeline is sick of irony! Plus everything you missed at Paris Fashion WeekAdidas tapped the City of Angels for its latest release ZimmermannZIMMERMANN celebrates trailblazing women for AW26 Alysa Liu makes her Paris Fashion Week debut at Louis VuittonMiu Miu AW26: Chloë Sevigny and Gillian Anderson just walked at PFWKiko Kostadinov is taking flight for AW26Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy