Celebrating PRIDE and 10 Years of Skull & Bones

As Pride Month kicks off, we’re reflecting on how far we’ve come—not just as a brand, but as a community. This June, Skull & Bones celebrates a major milestone: 10 years in business. For a self-funded, independent brand, that’s no small feat—and we owe a great deal of our success to the vibrant, powerful, and resilient LGBTQ+ community that has embraced us from the very beginning.

When we launched, we didn’t have investors or a slick marketing budget. Our first drop? A handful of solid-colored trunks with a pop of contrast in the binding. But what we did have was heart—and a belief in celebrating self-expression. We sent samples to guys in the community we admired on social media, packed up our gear, and hit the road for Pride festivals across the country. From early spring to late fall—Palm Springs being the last one I  think and one  of our favorites—Pride became our runway, our feedback loop, and most importantly, our connection to the community.

Those early years were gritty but joyful. We were hustling for every sale, talking to every customer, soaking in feedback. We met people who tried on a jockstrap or tank at our booth and never took it off—walking proudly into the crowd, feeling seen, sexy, and celebrated. That’s when we realized: we weren’t just selling underwear. We were helping people feel proud of who they are.

One unforgettable Pride season came when we debuted our very first custom print—a sky ombré inspired by a sunset I captured on my phone. We gave the image to one of our designers who broke out the color gradients into a vibrant, wearable print. We launched it just in time for the following spring. What happened next was magic. People of all ages walked up, pointed at the collection, and said, “That looks like a rainbow… that looks like Pride.”

And they wore it. Right there at the booth. Jocks, briefs, tanks, thongs—it didn’t matter. What mattered was the energy. That moment showed us the power of design to tell a story, and it crystallized our identity as a print-driven brand—bold, unapologetic, and proud.

On a personal note, as someone who grew up gay in Long Island during the '80s & 90's—going to local  clubs like Chameleons, The Silver Lining, and sneaking into the city for nights at Splash or Limelight—Pride means something deeper. I came of age in a time when being gay could mean being ostracized, when love came with risk, and when marriage equality wasn’t even a concept. We’ve lived through fear, through silence, through the fight for dignity.

Which is why Pride isn’t just a party. It’s a powerful declaration. From Stonewall in 1969 to marriage equality in 2015, every step forward was hard-earned. Pride is about honoring those who fought for the rights we have today—and making damn sure we don’t go backward. We don’t need to get political to say this: Love is love. And no one should ever be told how to love or who they can be. We have come a long way but the work is not done. 

So yes, Skull & Bones is turning 10. But it’s more than an anniversary. It’s a celebration of this community that helped shape us—from a scrappy trunk drop to a brand that wears its pride on its waistband. We will always have a  Pride collection. We will always celebrate Pride with you.

Thank you for letting us be part of your journey. Here’s to the next ten years—louder, bolder, prouder.

With love,
Vin & Rob
Skull & Bones