Almost every summer, we see new and unique businesses pop in and around Asbury Park that deliver the unique spirit that Asbury Park is known for. With that spirit in mind, Chris Turk Swim arrived in town last April and has quickly become a local brand known for diversity and truly having something for everyone. The man behind the man, Chris Turk, has his own storied path which brought him to Asbury Park & we sat down for one of his first discussions since arriving in town.We sat down and discussed how sometimes challenging past shaped his demand for equality for his trans brothers and sisters and why Asbury Park was the perfect place to continue to grow his aptly named brand.
Michael Cook: What is your own personal origin story and what brought you you to Asbury Park initially?
Chris Turk: I originally grew up in North Brunswick, NJ with my lovely parents and sister. From there, I went to college at Marist University, where I studied Graphic Design, Fashion Merchandising and Photography. After college I made the quick decision to move to the city because I knew I had to live there. While living in the city, I worked in every area of fashion I could, soaking up every inch of fashion to understand every arena. I worked in sales, marketing, fashion shoot production, social media, and PR for companies such as Tommy Hilfiger & David Yurman. After eight and a half years in the city, I decided it was time to try LA… and I realized quickly it was not for me. I did find major success in my growth in the fashion PR world, while also developing my first ever collection. I decided to move back as soon as Covid hit and I wanted a place that offered a mix of all the places I lived before- close to my family, close enough to my friends in the city, gay and somewhere near the beach. The beach is where I find my peace and that was very important to me. There was only one option so I ended up here, in beautiful Asbury Park!
MC: Did you know about the history of the town did you know before you arrived here? If so, what were you surprised to hear?
CT: I did! My first intro was my parents refusing to drive through saying it was super dangerous; at the time it was still pretty rough. Once I hit my mid-twenties, every summer I came home & Asbury was the place I’d go; a place I could find comfort in being myself in New Jersey. I never expected to find that after my rough upbringing and treatment around gay people. It was shocking to me to see a world in New Jersey that was queer, constantly creating art, had live music, amazing restaurants, even existed.
MC: You have truly become part of the fabric of the community by donating to The Center, one of Asbury Park’s tentpole charities for the LGBTQ community. Why was it crucial to work with The Center for you?
CT: This was crucial for me because The Center saved my life. About ten years ago, when I went to get tested to start taking PREP, I found out I was HIV+ from a very ill informed straight doctor on the Upper East Side. I was so completely lost and was prescribed the original medications, which were considered over the counter at the time, since my insurance didn’t cover HIV medications. Unfortunately they only prescribed me one of the two medications I was supposed to have, which completely drove my body and mind nuts. I knew something was wrong, so I started asking around to friends and they mentioned The Center in NYC. I honestly had never heard of such a thing and I went in and they took me under their wing and helped me get on the best medication out there. From there, I have consistently stayed undetectable which I am very thankful for. This is one of many many reasons why The Center is such a pivotal place for our community, because it literally saves lives.
Every place that I have moved, I always make sure to give back to the local centers because I know how important it is, especially in times like now, for us to keep these doors open. A lot of these centers offer incredible services such as doctors, mental health, dentist, housing help, insurance help, food drives, among many many other things.
MC: You speak openly about your HIV status; what is that absolutely crucial for you when you speak publicly?
It is absolutely crucial for me to speak about my status because I want people to be aware that Undetectable = Untransmittable. We have perfected the medications and treatments so well at this point that it is not possible to transmit HIV if you are taking your meds. It’s not a death sentence and it doesn’t change who you are. As long as you are on your meds, you will live the same life as someone who doesn’t have it. It is so important for people to hear those words, because people can still be so ill informed, which is why places like The Center are so important.
MC: What made you want to plant the Chris Turk Swim flag here on the Asbury Park boardwalk?
CT: I have been keeping my eye on the AP boardwalk for a while and once the new pop up stores started showing up on the boardwalk, I knew it was my chance. I tried the first year, but it was just too early for me and with patience I opened my store this April. I have loved every second of it, especially getting to talk to and know the community here in Asbury Park. I hope to offer a safe space for all to feel welcome, safe, cute in their new favorite outfit or swim (any shape or size, as we offer plus sizes as well) and truly happy with who they are.
MC: You support the trans community specifically whenever you have the opportunity. Why do you think that is so crucial for you and your business to do right now?
CT: It hurts my heart to see what is currently happening to the trans community. They are just trying to live their lives like everyone else, but the government decided this was their current focus to bully. The trans community has always been and will always be here, whether they want to accept it or not. They are not a threat to anyone, they just want to live with equal rights and be treated equally like all of us.
As someone that grew up being severely bullied, I can’t sit by and let it happen to so many of my best friends. I will never understand how anyone can treat someone like that, that honestly doesn’t even affect them. Worry about your own lives and let them live! I now have the confidence to stand up and say this isn’t right. The trans community is a beautiful community that if we just gave them some compassion and understanding, you’d learn a lot from them. Stop painting the enemy sign on the wrong people and turn around and truly look at the bullies doing it. Who would you feel safer around?
MC: What is something that you hope to see for the community within the next five years?
CT: More and more queer art and spaces. Inviting more queer artists, singers, bands, as well as opening new queer friendly spaces like bars, cocktail bars, clubs, stores, restaurants, etc., it will just add to the heart of the city. I do love to see new queer spaces, most recently Wolfe & Kron Books, an incredible queer bookstore that everyone has to check out!
MC: When you tell people about your own passion for Asbury Park, what do you tell them first?
The Soul. The other day I referenced that Asbury Park just has soul and that’s truly the best way to describe it. From the live music and bands, to the restaurants, bars and clubs, to the way the community comes together and works together with an open heart. I have never lived in a place where the whole community is open and protective of everyone and I hope through community, we can spread that to the rest of the world. I am noticing a lot of outsiders coming in trying to ruin our space and we will not have it. We will continue to share our open heart to all those who deserve it but we will also protect it. All it takes is one person’s kindness to change a life and I believe, as a community, we could do that!
Follow Chris Turk Swim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christurkswim/
