About The Designer

I’m a gay Asian-American journalist at the intersection of fashion, pop culture and LGBTIQ identity. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. Then I moved to Hong Kong to pursue my journalism career, where I interviewed a lot of celebrities, artists and musicians I grew up admiring. Then I picked up my bags and moved to New York to be with my boyfriend. Oh, and I happen to have an affinity for tan lines and swim briefs.

After years of interviewing fashion designers, I got to thinking: why not create apparel that represents me, my heritage and my inspirations? Naturally, swimwear came to mind because I spend much of my free time at beaches and parks sunbathing.

I would never be caught dead in board shorts. I think guys look their best in triangular fitted briefs, so that was the starting point for Tight Tams – an unabashed brand highlighting the male form in all its different colors and presentations.

Arthur Tam