> At a Glance
> – TikTok users identified Lindsay Maxoutopoulis’ boyfriend as former Abercrombie & Fitch bag model Nick Brandon
> – The 44-year-old modeled extensively in the early 2000s before becoming an executive protection agent
> – Maxoutopoulis’ viral video showing old modeling photos has over 600,000 views
> – Why it matters: The viral moment taps into millennial nostalgia for the Y2K era and A&F’s cultural impact
A routine TikTok post about cleaning out a storage unit turned into a viral blast from the past when viewers recognized Lindsay Maxoutopoulis’ boyfriend as the face that once graced millions of Abercrombie & Fitch shopping bags.
The Discovery
Maxoutopoulis, a 32-year-old content creator from Carpinteria, California, was helping her boyfriend Nicolas “Nick” Brandon clean out storage when they found old modeling portfolios. She decided to share the discovery on TikTok, never expecting the reaction that followed.
Brandon, 44, worked as a model in the early 2000s before transitioning to executive protection work. While Maxoutopoulis knew about his modeling past, she hadn’t realized how recognizable he remained to a generation of shoppers.
> Maxoutopoulis told News Of Los Angeles: “Hundreds of millennials were saying they recognized him from their Abercrombie & Fitch bags. Some even said they’d had his face taped inside their lockers.”
Going Viral
The initial video documenting their storage unit find quickly gained traction, accumulating over 600,000 views as commenters shared memories of carrying Brandon’s image home from the mall.
Seeing the overwhelming response, Maxoutopoulis created a follow-up post playing into the nostalgia. She generated an image showing herself holding one of the iconic Abercrombie bags featuring Brandon, though she clarified it was intentionally fake – a composite of real photos meant as a playful response to comments.
The joke resonated more than expected. The second video exploded to over 2 million views, with many viewers believing the generated image was authentic.
Y2K Nostalgia
The viral moment struck a chord with millennials reminiscing about simpler times. Maxoutopoulis perfectly captured the sentiment in her interview.
> “So many of us millennials are missing the good ‘ol Y2K days. You’d grab your friend, head to the mall, go shopping, grab a Wetzel Pretzel, and a polo from A&F. Life seemed easier.”
The couple’s origin story adds another layer of sweetness to the viral tale. They met several years ago at the California Avocado Festival in Carpinteria, where Maxoutopoulis made the first move. Their first date lasted hours on a Ferris wheel, both having recently exited other relationships and finding unexpected connection.
The Comeback
Nearly two decades after his modeling career ended, the unexpected attention has sparked something new in Brandon.
> “Nick is in his comeback era,” Maxoutopoulis revealed. “He’s getting back into shape and going to get back into modeling!”
Brandon plans to recreate some of his old photos while documenting his fitness journey, potentially inspiring fellow millennials while bringing back Y2K nostalgia.
Key Takeaways
- Nick Brandon modeled for Abercrombie & Fitch in the early 2000s before changing careers
- TikTok users recognized him from shopping bags and locker decorations
- The viral moment generated over 2.6 million combined views across videos
- The couple is leaning into the fame, with Brandon planning a modeling comeback
What started as storage unit cleanup became a cultural moment, proving that for millennials, some faces from the past are impossible to forget.
