I want your input: The Bourbon Street controversy

UndiesDrawer readers, give me your opinion!

I've been intrigued by the feedback on the Bourbon Street Wear mens underwear photo series I've been posting.  YourPrivates gave us an exclusive first look at the Bourbon Street Wear line as well as high-resolution photos from the photo shoot.  I've been posting those for your viewing pleasure, but I'm intrigued by the negative comments now coming out.

Yes, they've been running for quite a while now, but each photo is unique, involves a separate underwear style and is a completely different photo.  I found the photographic style unique and of high quality, and the model guy isn't ugly, just young.  As such, I've been posting them for your enjoyment as well.

Some readers have responded negatively, some more strongly than others, including the most recent commenter who says he'll never again visit UndiesDrawer if we post another Bourbon Street shot. I appreciate the comments, but I want to hear more from a broader range of readers, and I want to hear from both the lovers AND the haters.  YourPrivates has received lots of positive feedback, but we've received lots of negative feedback, so now I'm really curious what's going on.

One thing I was wondering even as I set up this series to post was how our UndiesDrawer readers would receive the photos.  The model is in my classification a "twink", and some people don't like twinks, but others love them.  In the past, I've received a comment or two suggesting that our photos here at UndiesDrawer are too "twink-heavy". I'm open to posting a broader range of photos, and I feel like we cover quite a range, but I'm interested in hearing from you.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU via the comments to this post -- and more than just one or two of you.  A handful of comments doesn't convince me of much, so if you're reading this and have an opinion, please comment and tell me what you're thinking on this subject.  Part of my motivation in running UndiesDrawer is for you, the reader, to get what you want out of it, so let me know what you're wanting out of UndiesDrawer.

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS --
Do you have generally negative or positive feelings about the Bourbon Street Wear photo series?  If positive, why?  If negative, why?  Do you want these kinds of photos available, but just not so much on the main site -- maybe publish them on the UndiesDrawer Photos page instead?  What kind of models would you prefer to see -- twinks, cubs, frat boys, muscle men, bear, something else?  If you have an opinion, state it now because I'm listening.

Comments

[Sam]

Honestly, I do not like the Bourbon Street photos at all. They use the same exact model in every picture. I don't mind twinks, some are attractive, but he is god awful. When i see all these bourbon pictures, i tend to just skip right through, possible missing other posts. I like variety. If it was my blogs, it would be all cubs, frats, and average guys. But its not, and I respect that. However, I think you over used Mr. Emo.

[spooky]

i dont´t like the pics because i don´t like the underwear style and i don´t like the model. Maybe you post a little too much of it. Better you post on pic and a link to a gallery with the rest.

[me]

mmm this pic are oeverload and not attractive. make me boring to open this page.

[jerry]

I have no problem with the underwear or model, it just seems to be that this line is way too over promoted on this site. Posting pictures that look nearly the same day after day is getting boring and does make a reader regret visitng the site.

[Mikey]

The pics are okay, I guess my only comment would be that he's gettin a lil over done on here maybe? I'd like to see a wider range of models; I would imagine most of us that look at this site don't look anything like him. That being said, its not your fault; they cast the models not you. Maybe just get some other models/companies to promote? Just need a lil variety is all; thanks for an great site!

[Olli]

The model lookes like muted with that hair over his eyes. I don't like those pictures at all. There is no joy of being sexy or alive. They make me dead calm. I don't even notice any underwear in those pictures. They make me sad.

[Marcus]

I have not looked at this site as much lately. I like reading reviews and things like that. I agree those pictures are a bit depressing and I scroll through them really fast because the guy in them looks too young. That's a big turn off. I also get uncomfortable when they used to have stuff about the Tiger underwear...go to their site to see what I mean.

[Billy]

I like the model he reminds me of the art students I hung out with while at well know west coast B school , and I also think the pix have some artistic merit, but maybe they have been released a little to close together. What would I like to see, I think your are doing fine. A nice cross section of types are represented and I like them all. To be honest the pix are secondary I come to check for sales, coupons and new outlets.

[Jason]

I don't care for the photos, but am not about to fly off the deep end. I'm used to skipping posts on blogs that do not interest me. Personally, the emo look does not seem to be your target audience.

My suggestion is to not draw this out in separate posts. Post the series at once and be done with it. You may be able to get away with a series when the topic is pretty popular, with a well known model, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

[Jeff]

Well for one thing they have appeared so often. Just reviewing what is available on the first page on my browser shows you used them at least a half dozen times. At one stretch 3 days in a row. Frankly I had assumed you were getting paid to post it so I considered it another ad and moved on. I suppose if I considered it part of the content of the site it would appear to be a pretty strong endorsement of you in the product.

I like the model ok and would certainly enjoy removing that underwear off the model. But I think he is not very representative of the types of models used by underwear makers in their ads here on this site. I'm not sure if I remember you or your fellow contributors wearing Bourbon Street and writing about it. I do think the model and ad style is not typical of what other underwear companies think sells.

Considering the visceral reaction you have gotten I think companies from aussiebum to internationaljock are pretty wise to pick the styles of models they do. They show their product looking hot on models we would all like to be with or we would all like to look like.

[Mac]

Funny haircut on an ugly skinny model. The underwear isn't compelling either. Too many photos as well. Should've put these in a single gallery under ONE post.

[erik]

I appreciated the Bourbon St photos for several reasons, perhaps primarily because they seemed to blur the line between the commercial and the artistic. Whether someone sees them that way or not, we all have to agree they portray a brand of underwear in a fashion not consistent with the rest of the industry, and if this site is about anything, it's to inform readers and share information about new brands, styles and advertising. I would never have heard about this line if it weren't for undiesdrawer, and I greatly appreciate being given the info as a consumer of these products.

In this respect, sharing the pictures was greatly appreciated. As for the model, well, you don't pick them, and whether the company was wise to go with an artistic emo look over the standard jockish model will be seen in how well the brand sells. In the meantime, I strongly encourage this site to display as many pictures of guys in underwear as you possibly can. When someone runs across one that isn't necessarily their taste, they should shut up and grow up. It takes a half sec to skip past a story you're not interested in - emailing childish threats like 'I'm like totally not ever gonna come here again, like totally' is beyond lame.

Keep up the great work, and remember - it takes time and energy to run a site like this, and really no time or intelligence to complain. We appreciate your efforts!

[Ben]

I LOVE the model and LOVE the interesting underwear styles. The first post got me to check out yourprivates to look for more photos. However, it is not typical of this website to post long series of pictures, and I can see how for some readers (especially the ones who don't like the model) the separate posts may get boring. Definately don't stop posting pictures like this; but I would suggest posting the pictures in a smaller amount of posts. Three would probably be sufficient. You could put thumbnail-click versions of them if it makes the post too long otherwise. On a sidenote, I also love controversy! This post definately grabbed my interest and for the record this is the first time I've ever posted a comment :) Cheers.

[Ryan]

At first the photo series was interesting and different, but after seeing more than two or three pictures that were all fairly similar, I was ready for something else. Seeing one photo after another after another that look virtually identical gets boring.

The model may have had something to do with the problem. While I didn't have any issues with his body, his hair and obscured eyes made him look like the demon ghost girl in The Ring or something, and I'm not really down with that.

The primary takeaway for you that I'd stress would be to limit series like these to just two or three posts--otherwise they start to seem like ads. That's all.

[CalJock]

Well, I feel guilty that I lit a match with my original post, and started quite a fire. I may not have expressed myself very well up front, but it seems that a number of other readers had similar reaction
- high frequency in short time period
- similar nature of images (look the same)
- aesthetic style of model and image (the look itself)

As far as a summary of my reactions to the look, I really like to see faces, and the eyes are hidden in every single photo, so I don't care for the mysterious skinny wet sad boy slouching on the floor ;-)

I understand that must have been a creative decision made by the art director over at Bourbon St, not Undiesdrawer. And the images are all dark and gray, which again, is very different than other brands, and the general bright and active nature of this website.

I actually went back to study the images, and I now see that there are different materials, such as the mesh and the chain strap, plus the contrasting fabric with the star... Those are different, but for the life of me, I didn't even notice that. Probably something to think about over at the marketing department over at bourbon street.

so, when I commented about my mistaken assumption that these were ads, I was sharing that, as a friend, to say, "hey, what's up with this new company and their ads." I didn't intend to insult your tastes.

So, yes, as another post suggests, I can just scroll past images that aren't to my liking. But I thought you might want to hear some feedback.

And again, thank you for this site. I'm quite an underwear addict, and I love to keep on top of every new style and brand. I consider Undiesdrawer.com to be the "Blog of Record" for the world of fashion underwear.

Kudos and Cheers.

[muletas]

I think the model is intresting, not ugly at all. twinks aren't my thing but I like the picture, not that keen on the underwear but it did make me look at the website...the first time. I must admit I was under the impression that you were getting paid to put up the picturs as there seemed to be so many of them, day after day.

It's good to have a variety of looks, underwear and models but I think this series outwieghed all the others.

It's a shame people resort to defining a person in a picture as ugly. In fact it's just mean.

[Dr. Phil]

I've previously been vocal in my appreciation and intrigue for this series of photos.

Most of the guys in underwear shots, catalogues, and everything else are a bit more beefy, jock-like, and so forth, and while that's enjoyable, other types are as well. The severe emo twinkishness of this model is irresistibly interesting to me, if for no other reason than that it is different from so much else that is out there. Combine that with the artistic approach in the photos, and the fascinating styles of the Bourbon Street line, and you've got something that is great with me.

Granted, when the line was officially announced after a few of these teasing images, I went and checked it out, and enjoyed seeing the full line. I don't mind seeing them all again on the site here, but then it might seem like overload for some people. In the past, when different photo series have been posted (like the Joe Oppedeisano [sp.?] series), it has run for maybe five or six days, and then that's it. This is a pretty extensive series, and perhaps is unprecedented in Undies Drawer history. If that is the case, then the break from general custom is noteworthy, and would merit some explanation.

Like I said, I don't mind it, I'm enjoying it, but others may not agree, and it sounds like many are voicing such an opinion, which is valid, despite some doing it in less mature and effective ways than others.

I would offer those who have a problem with the actual artistic merit and content of the photos to consider the name and the implied context: "Bourbon Street." New Orleans is not exactly the happening place it once was as a result of some real world difficulties beyond what many of us can fathom, further complicated by the lack of response and mishandling of our own government. There is, therefore, a nostalgia for older, more libertine and risqué days in these photos and this line, but also an acknowledgement of the sadness and melancholy of this nostalgia, and the continued atrocity of the situation. A smiling, buffed model who looks like he goes to the gym every day and eats healthily would be very much out of place here; this near-anonymous, thin, sad, and often wet (from flood waters or the sultry humidity of the place?) young twink speaks to a reality that I think probably troubles many of the readers here to contemplate.

Speaking on the level of pure fantasy--for what is this shared fetish of ours if not an exercise in fantasies, especially for the many of us who are not athletic gods nor total twinks--this looks like a guy that might actually not be displeased to interact with an approaching person, from my point of view. The happy-go-lucky, buffed and toned and tanned jock guys in many underwear shoots are the same guys who would ignore or demean many of us if we met them on the street and just wanted to talk casually. There is something about the melancholy and desperation of these photos of the Bourbon Street line that instead invite association--he is in an empty closet, wearing very little, and what he is wearing invites reaction and relation. You'd want to go up to him, dry him off, give him some food, and listen to him talk about what he's been through. Yes, I realize this is all fiction and fantasy and projection, but it is appealing to imagine it in these terms, for me at least. (And I freely admit that perhaps this is an overly-intellectual assessment of matters...but this is what I do for a living, so there we are.)

And, as some of the other commentators have said, there are all different types of beauty, and each should be celebrated and appreciated in a place like this.

As you are the administrator of this blog, JayZ, and it is largely your own project, no matter what your viewing public might prefer, the direction of the content is up to you. Those who don't like it can skip entries, or not read for a few days, or realize that the entire world does not revolve around them and their particular likes and dislikes, and get on with it. I think you're doing a great job, and always have been since I've been reading this blog, so I encourage you to keep it up, and keep the variety and variation going in what you offer here. Many thanks from an avid fan!

[AtlSpeedoLuvr1]

I was ok with the amount of postings. its just like any other company that is trying to roll out a marketing gimmick. Saturate the blog with shots every couple of days.

Overall, the shots visually are ok to look at. As far as the product goes, the shots are horrible. I went to the web site several times, and tried in fact to actually see the underwear but couldn't. You click on the shots of the product and it brings up the artistic photo that shows the whole shot. They need more close ups on the actual product. I never ordered anything due to the fact that I couldn't actually see the product, and wasn't willing to pay that high price before actually seeing them.

[JustJ]

Have to agree with the generally negative comments.

1) There were too many of them. Two or three might have been OK, but we've had, what - six or seven? It's become boring.

2) The model isn't very attractive - too scrawny. OK, not everyone likes beef, but this model just didn't carry the underwear at all well - he looked insipid, and that helped to make it offputting. Getting him oiled up or sweaty or whatever that was supposed to be just didn't work.

3) What's with his hair? Is he modelling underwear, or L'Oreal's latest mousse? A smile and a decent haircut might have made the whole thing a bit better to look at.

Sorry guys, that one dived.

[Nathan K.]

Do you have generally negative or positive feelings about the Bourbon Street Wear photo series?

--- Mostly positive, I do admit his age ran through my head but mostly to question whether it was perverted to think about someone like that, but if the company did their work on age verification etc, then there's nothing the conservatives can do about it except pass more tax-payer fundeded laws about it. VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!

If positive, why?

--- Great undies and great quality photos.

If negative, why?

--- Nein!!! None!!!

Do you want these kinds of photos available, but just not so much on the main site -- maybe publish them on the UndiesDrawer Photos page instead?

--- More photos period... Quit your day job, just scrounge the internet finding us hot undies and even hotter deals!!!!

What kind of models would you prefer to see -- twinks, cubs, frat boys, muscle men, bear, something else?

--- Any type of model will do, just make sure he has a hot pair of undies on, sorta.

[Aaron]

I am amused by not only the ads themselves, but also from the responses of the readers. Why shouldn't counter-cultural groups have their own Poster Boy or a company market to them. Too skinny and shaggy haired, hmm let's think about Jim Morrison or Mick Jagger. Today they would fit right in with their costumes of their day.Then there are the "Saggers" outraging state legislators, Sheriffs, local community leaders, by gasp showing off their behinds and their underwear ! There ought to be a law against it! Perhaps that is why CN2 or Andrew Christian came out with their back seated emblem underwear?
Let's also not forget how the size of the waist bands keep changing, so that the manufacturer can advertise their brand for all of us who choose not to wear a belt with our jeans or shorts! I deeply protest this change in the size of the underwear band to hold up my skivies!
I want to see more of these outrageous displays of men's clothing, like the first CK white brief advertisement of the early 1980's! or the one done by 2(x) ist was just simply scandalous, a poster boy in a black and white photo for sale. Today its called art.

I think the Emos, the Saggers, the JC Penny white brief wearer should all be run in a series. The more the merrier. This is a multi billion dollar business and everyone should have their niche choice (s). How about posting the Tiger Underwear catalog that advertises on this blog? Nostalgia at its finest.

[Steve]

I actually think the model is gorgeous! I don't know whats everyone's problem. At least he is better than the Diesel model. All other underwear labels have only men with muscles and I am not as muscular as they are. At least with Bourbon St Wear, thats more my body type, and the underwear looks good on him.
Modelling is not just about posing, you will need to know how to act and be in the character and the model from Bourbon St Wear is definitely doing the job. Keep up the good work! Keep him coming!!
ps: I like the hair too