In The Dark Room with Power Couple PJ Knox & Andres Santana

March 3, 2023
CASTEL

PJ Knox and Andres Santana are not only partners in romance but also in business. Their fetish-wear brand, The Dark Room Collection, has grown exceptionally in the six years of its inception. Product designer Santana uses their background in marketing to keep the product in the public eye in a fresh and sexy way. At the same time, Knox, with his lucrative go-go and porn career, models to pants-tightening results. Committed to expanding and growing even more, the guys take their talents and brand to new heights, headlining and dancing across the globe. Get into our exclusive interview to learn more about their beginnings and where they will be next, and follow their socials below!

1. The Dark Room started six years ago. How long after did your adult content and go-go careers start?

We started to go-go dance first. The first time was around Madrid Pride 2016. Quickly after, we were asked to dance at other parties and wear different fetish brands on stage. We immediately learned that we should be wearing and advertising our clothing onstage. So it was in the back of our minds. The adult content started for Paul in the spring of 2018, with solo material, then around the end of 2019 into 2020, and COVID, he began to do with other guys.

Photo courtesy of The Dark Room

2. How much trial and error was there before grasping what The Dark Room was?

Initially, the idea was to have a cap, jockstrap, socks, padlock, and chain, which Paul would prance around in a club. Then it snowballed from there. Honestly, there is still some trial and error but hopefully fewer errors now.

3. Do you have any other collaborators, or are you a dynamic duo in business and pleasure?

It’s been the two of us mainly for the entire time. We have collaborated with photographers etc., in the past, but by keeping costs low, we can invest a lot more into the products.

PJ Knox & Andres Santana model their Dark Room collection of harness, socks, and jockstraps.

Photo courtesy of The Dark Room

4. Booked and busy for Bearadise! What are y'all most looking forward to? How different are international festivals compared to US ones like Bear Week in P-Town?

They all have one thing in common. They are a hell of a lot of fun, with some of the friendliest people. Bearadise is the ‘International Bear Festival,’ attracting people from all over. So you get many Americans, Canadians, etc., all visiting! The difference is the incredible Mexican food and hospitality!

All packed up! Last full day in PV!

Thank you everyone who came to the @bearadiseMXXX parities and had fun with us! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tN4oXJwPWH

— PJ Knox (@PJKnoxXX) February 7, 2023

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A post shared by PJ KNOX (@pjknox.uk)

5. How did y’all break into the bear market to headline several shows?

Many parties look for ‘bear go-go’s,’ and I guess Paul became the go-to ‘go-go bear’ with a significant social media presence that would help attract people to their party and that is professional and reliable. Many people don’t take this kind of job seriously and will do it for a year or so and jump away from it. Paul has been doing it strong for 7 years and continues to travel around the world performing. So along with having a solid look, being reliable and building a relationship with the promotion is just as important.

6. Paul, how was it being DNA’s Sexiest Man Alive so early in your career?

Felt right.

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A post shared by PJ KNOX (@pjknox.uk)

7. Andres, having worked in marketing, albeit in real estate, have you found those skills transferable when you buckled down to focus on the business?

Yes, because you must still deal with clients and provide the best customer service possible. A lot go research before launching new products etc.

8. Your clothing is sold in stores internationally. Have you tried to expand into the American market? Or do y’all have it easier both being from Europe?

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The USA stores are definitely in our sights, but in slow steps, bit by bit.

9. How is it being the creators, owners, and models for The Dark Room? The brand has become more popular every year. Has it gotten easier 6 years in?

Easier, as the brand is now more well-known. So sales now come by word of mouth etc. etc. But more complicated in other ways. We gotta keep up with demand, and orders are more and more. We are still only a two-man band that will need to expand at the rate we are going.

Photo courtesy of The Dark Room

10. I stumbled upon your 15-year post on Twitter, Andres. This is for you both; what has it been like doing this with your best friend essentially?

We have really done most of our firsts together. It’s unsurprising since we have been so close for these 15 years and work well together. We feel really, really lucky.

15 years together and every single moment has been truly special. Your kindness, love and selflessness has been truly inspiring to be and taught me how to be a better person. You have brought out the better in me and I will always be grateful. My @PJKnoxXX pic.twitter.com/aAj0F6iVSL

— Andres (@San_Edin_) December 8, 2022

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A post shared by PJ KNOX (@pjknox.uk)

11. What are your personal favorite features? What are your favorite features of each other?

Body features? Everything about each other. [He said this shyly, I hope y’all know]

Chrome @DarkRoomBrand bikinis in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico ❤️@San_Edin_ @PJKnoxXX pic.twitter.com/JjfxcfpmfH

— Dark Room Brand (@DarkRoomBrand) February 8, 2023

12. I’ve scoured your socials, Andres, do you not film adult content? If not, would you?

It’s not really something I’m interested in doing. All my energy goes into Dark Room.

13. Do you have any Bear events slated for the summer planned? Will we see you in P-Town this year?

We are still setting up our year schedule. But I don’t think P-Town will be on the cards this year, so we will try next year! A bear event in Athens is interested in working with us and is still in talks.

DaddyLand Dallas might be a go-ahead in June/July, and we are also looking into San Francisco Folsom for September.

Along with those, we always dance and sponsor the MEGAWOOF party during Madrid Pride and a Bear Ball we have been doing each year in South Korea!

Let’s see how the year plays out. The future looks bright.