MikelleStreet
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
10 Rare Tom of Finland's Sketches Featuring Black Men
Tom of Finland's work is almost omnipresent at this point. Whether installed in a gallery context, or brought to life via one of the many collaborations that the Tom of Finland Store puts together, his imagery of muscle-bound men with bulging crotches, bubble butts all dressed in leather or some other type of uniform (if dressed at all) is almost instantly recognizable. But a subset of some of the lesser viewed works is finding new life via a partnership with fashion brand No Sesso.
The reality is that Tom's work has a tendency to be shown and showcased almost exclusively depicting cis, white, masculine men -- tropes of men to be frank. And while that is no doubt, a large part of his work, there is a collection of work that deviates from this. Case in point: his imagery of Black men.
In a new collaboration featuring a limited edition denim jacket, No Sesso puts Tom's work featuring Black men on display. "When we were initially approached to do this project we were apprehensive due to the overtly white legacy of Tom of Finland's works, but after reviewing the archives we were surprised to see images of Black men and women in sexually versatile positions," Pierre Davis of No Sesso said. In February the brand became the first fashion label created by a trans person to show on the official New York Fashion Week calendar. "That was something we wanted to showcase with this collaboration and our designs."
With only 10 jackets made, here we look at the art created as early as the 1960s that was collaged onto the design.
From 1960
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1960
Graphite on paper
(c)Tom of Finland Foundation
From 1987
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1987
Graphite on paper
(c)Tom of Finland Foundation
From 1970
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1970
Graphite on paper
(c)Tom of Finland Foundation
From 1964
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1964
Graphite on paper
(c)Tom of Finland Foundation
From 1989
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1989
Graphite on paper
(c)Tom of Finland Foundation
From 1972
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1972
Graphite on paper
(c)Tom of Finland Foundation
From 1986
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1986
Graphite on paper
(c)Tom of Finland Foundation
From 1988
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1988
Graphite on paper
(c)Tom of Finland Foundation
From 1986
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1986
Graphite on paper
(c)Tom of Finland Foundation
From 1986
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1986
Graphite on paper
(c)Tom of Finland Foundation
No Sesso X Tom of Finland
Photo By Clifford Prince King for No Sesso
Purchase the jacket for $500.
Latest Stories
Hot London boys calling: BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! opens Gallery Café in London
November 06 2024 4:50 PM
10 sexy, last-minute Halloween costume tips for the gays
October 31 2024 11:21 AM
Ranking the highest-earning queens in 'RuPaul's Drag Race' herstory
October 25 2024 4:04 PM
Experience laid-back luxury with a view at this rainforest resort
October 23 2024 7:29 AM
31 gay AF horror films to watch this Halloween (and where to stream them!)
October 22 2024 2:00 PM
20 times male celebrities had to come out as straight
October 21 2024 1:35 PM
Maturing is sexy! 11 gay celebs who prove 'twink death' is a total myth
October 21 2024 10:51 AM
13 reasons every gay man should own (and wear!) a jockstrap
October 14 2024 1:35 PM
Every finalist queen on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' & their track records
October 13 2024 4:24 PM
All the LGBTQ+ (and queerish) characters in the MCU so far
October 10 2024 3:54 PM
15 things only bottoms understand
October 08 2024 5:18 PM
15 gay celebrity couples who make us believe in love
October 03 2024 5:43 PM
Out and About with Sasheer Zamata
October 03 2024 3:08 PM
Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, & more: 15 internet boyfriends we adore
October 03 2024 1:34 PM
10 things only tops understand
October 02 2024 2:24 PM
11 historic icons who tragically died in the closet
October 02 2024 12:21 PM
7 struggles only vers guys understand
October 01 2024 12:44 PM
11 gay & queer celebs who've talked about being tops, bottoms, or vers
September 23 2024 5:51 PM
The 5 dos and 5 don’ts of cruising
September 20 2024 12:25 PM
Here's every time Marvel movies cut LGBTQ+ characters & storylines
September 19 2024 5:01 PM
Trending stories
Recommended Stories for You
Mikelle Street
Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.
Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.