JANUARY 2010
Sliver Fox
Launch Mr Butch Dixon to you Manly Scent of Tom of Finland Festive Celebrations Lemon 3 Lodge
Matt schiermeier WHATEVER
WWW.MATTSCHIERMEIER.NET
Feature Colton Ford Hein Leather Mr International Rubber Artistic’s Bliss (Mikes Bliss)
© Mikesbliss 2009
Mikes Bliss Some have called him the modern Andy Warhol - but with better hair. His paintings and drawings certainly fit into the classification of Pop Art but with a smooth simplicity of line and subject matter that has that extra splash of sex appeal.
life and loves of the artist ñ like flipping through a personal photo album or reading a diary only the names are missing.
MikesBliss moved to London from the North East England sea port of Hartlepool - a town whose historical Viewed in isolation each image is bold residents are reputed for their execution of a Monkey during the and stark, reducing the scene to Napoleonic wars, believing the poor simple line drawings ñ not dissimilar dumb creature to be a French Spy to the emergency instruction cards on your holiday jet - but in removing intent on keeping the Emperor's the detail secrets rather than speak to them. The century may have changed but MikesBliss shows us the essential the Hartlepool populace's apparent elements of his subjects. Viewed ignorance and intolerance has not. collectively we get a glimpse into the
Their modern day equivalent of “Chimp Choking” is Gay Bashing and it was to recover from such an incident that Mikesbliss packed up everything he had and, like so many before him, sought solace, and a better life in the cosmopolitan surroundings of the nation's capital. He had been drawing from childhood but in London MikesBliss developed his style and used his art to explore his sexuality. Through his paintings this northern lad expresses the tears and joys, sorrow and successes of his life.
What motivates him to paint such beautiful men? “I am an artist who likes to capture the male figure in its full formation ñ as David was to Michaelangelo I aim to create a classic representation of the perfect man. Many of my pictures are deliberately monochrome ñ removing the ìcolourî of the subject and allowing the viewer to appreciate the beauty, balance and form of the subject without consideration for race or heritage.”
www.mb-leather.com
Leather
I first stumbled across Butch Dixon a few months ago when a friend of mine called me up excitedly and said “Hey, I’ve finally found a site with *real* men!!”. Naturally, being an Internet whore for 15 years I was a little cynical. Most sites seem to feature impossibly chiselled men straight out of Fantasy Central, USA division. They didn’t have that air of reality I liked – the sense that these guys didn’t live 24/7 in the gym. And the English sites too often seemed to be a pale copy - Well that is until Butch Dixon came along...
knowing the photographer was making them look as sexy as possible. With some there is a minute-and-a- half video preview – a tantalising glimpse of what the full length video featured. There was a sense of humour to some of these. One was set outside MI6 – one of the models ‘stripped’ his playmate by pressing a TV remote. In another two guys in suits got down and dirty outside in the rain – I never knew sock suspenders could be so damn sexy! In fact this imaginative approach just enhanced the on screen action – a playfulness that made me smile even as it turned me on. I clicked open a browser and sat up Accompanying each model is a short straight in my chair. The site layout is piece of blurb where the interviewer simple but effective – a large photo to delves right in and describes each man the right with several smaller beside, in detail, clearly relishing his job. This which you clicked on for full page. The kind of enthusiasm is exciting - I felt standard of pictures is very high – like I was in the studio with them often shot against a plain background getting involved with the proceedings with proper lighting so that each (I wish!). model looked relaxed and comfortable
I first stumbled across Butch Dixon a few months ago when a friend of mine called me up excitedly and said “Hey, I’ve finally found a site with *real* men!!”. Naturally, being an Internet whore for 15 years I was a little cynical. Most sites seem to feature impossibly chiselled men straight out of Fantasy Central, USA division. They didn’t have that air of reality I liked – the sense that these guys didn’t live 24/7 in the gym. And the English sites too often seemed to be a pale copy - Well that is until Butch Dixon came along... I clicked open a browser and sat up straight in my chair. The site layout is simple but effective – a large photo to the right with several smaller beside, which you clicked on for full page. The standard of pictures is very high – often shot against a plain background with proper lighting
so that each model looked relaxed and comfortable knowing the photographer was making them look as sexy as possible. With some there is a minute-and-a- half video preview – a tantalising glimpse of what the full length video featured. There was a sense of humour to some of these. One was set outside MI6 – one of the models ‘stripped’ his playmate by pressing a TV remote. In another two guys in suits got down and dirty outside in the rain – I never knew sock suspenders could be so damn sexy! In fact this imaginative approach just enhanced the on screen action – a playfulness that made me smile even as it turned me on. Accompanying each model is a short piece of blurb where the interviewer delves right in and describes each man in detail, clearly relishing his job. This kind of enthusiasm is exciting - I felt like I was in the studio with them
Top marks should also be awarded for the guys playing safe even as they were sizzling – showing us the two things aren’t mutually exclusive. I should point out that MIRRORBALLS and Butch Dixon are working together to help bring AIDS awareness to all areas of the gay community – well done guys. So the big question – what about the men themselves? Well I like my men masculine, hairy, rugged rather than ripped – above all men who are confident in themselves. I believe ‘Sexy is as sexy does’ – and that’s what these guys do bigtime. Butch Dixon really does give you a variety to drool over - while some are
indeed muscle-bound studs, others are more of your “bear next door” type that you could quite conceivably run into at a place like XXL or the King’s Arms. More importantly, they all seem like genuine, real guys you could share a pint with and indeed the three I’ve met (Marco, Korben and Christian), I’ve found to be very approachable and friendly. And as sexy in the flesh as on the screen! It’s a sign of how confident the site is that they even have a MODEL FOR US option – where if fancy having a go at being a BUTCH DIXON model, then you
Sliver Fox Words: Bill Coleman Three simple words. Three words that, when taken together, can—depending on one’s own proclivities—conjure up opposing images in the mind: naughty or nice, salacious or modest, dangerous or safe. Now, take these same three words and make them the title of the new album by singer-turned porn star-turned singer Colton Ford and the brain activity intensifies. “Under the Covers” is the second full-length album from Ford. Sure, the title winkingly refers to Ford’s adult film past. But it’s also an apt reference to the album’s main focus: songs made famous by others. Indeed, and like numerous artists before him, Ford has recorded a collection of songs that sound, at once, wholly familiar and wonderfully fresh.
tunes, enabling me to show different sides of my vocal ability.” Ford continues, “When you are covering a hit track, if you can retain the integrity of the original and bring your own style to it in the process, you can reveal something to the listener about you as an artist that perhaps they haven’t heard before. This album is also a friendly reminder of just how great these songs were and still are.” In addition to speaking to Ford in a
very real and personal way, the tracks that comprise “Under the Covers” made a significant impact when they were originally released, and will be immediately familiar to a wide listening audience—even though someone other than the original artist is singing them. Explains Ford, “Adding my interpretation to these songs gives a new perspective to these classic
“Under the Covers” covers much musical ground and time. At 32-years-old, Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” (re-imagined here as an interlude) is the oldest song in the collection. It is seamlessly situated between R.E.M.’s alternative rock hit “Losing My Religion” and Babyface’s R&B charttopper “It’s no Crime.” Elsewhere, Ford takes on Britney Spears’ “Trouble” (a bonus track on the pop star’s latest album, “Circus”), which
Seems Like You’re Ready,” followed by the house music anthem/R&B jam, “Follow Me.” Each of Ford’s cover versions showcases a singer who is deftly bridging the gap between then and now. Nowhere is this more evident than on his reworkings of Robyn’s “With Every Heartbeat,” Sade’s “By Your Side,” Alicia Keys’ “No One” and Nirvana’s “Lithium.” In Ford’s hands, “With Every Heartbeat” retains its sublime electro-pop foundation, while “By Your Side” and “No One” take glorious side trips to Spain and Jamaica, respectively. Ford injects the Nirvana classic with ample dance-rock attitude—and even manages to pay homage to Ram Jam’s top 20 hit “Black Betty” (released the same year as Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”) along the way. Throughout, the beats remain feisty and the rhythms taut, with Ford’s soulful vocals upfront and center. Quentin Harris, who helmed Ford’s debut album, 2008’s “Tug of War,” is but one producer featured on “Under the Covers.” A decidedly collaborative project, “Under the Covers” also spotlights the production skills of Matthias “Matty” Heilbronn, Craig C., Whatever Whatever (aka Justin Strauss and Bryan Bette), Lost Daze, Count De Money and others. For Ford, there is a difference between singing songs made famous by other artists and singing his own original music. However, he clearly states, “When I’m singing, I’m singing. I feel what it is that I’m singing about, and when I sing a song, it’s my interpretation of the song, whether I wrote it or not. Now, writing a song adds another layer for me. It’s like you’re giving birth to something, and are responsible for it’s development and growth. That’s an awesome process.” Ford lives—and loves—to sing. Whether he’s written the track or not, he can only interpret a song the way he feels it. That said, Ford acknowledges that he simply felt his way through the recording process of “Under the Covers.” He didn’t think about how he would arrange the vocals before going into the studio. Instead, he let the recording process unfold organically. Growing up, Ford listened to mix of R&B (Rufus and Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, the Commodores, Anita Baker, Sarah Vaughn, Smokey Robinson, Al Green) pop (Olivia Newton-John, Cyndi Lauper, Tom Tom Club, Thompson Twins) and rock (Boston, the Police, Pat Benatar, Fleetwood Mac). He also managed to find time for Manhattan Transfer. Ford’s fondness for words and melodies and singing paved the way to a young Ford participating in dinner theater revues while still in college. A short
stint with Jon St. James’ production company (responsible for pop-dance hits by Stacy Q and others) in the mid-’80s provided Ford with the necessary tools to take a giant step forward. By the late-’80s, Ford had signed a production deal with the company co-owned by hit-making songwriter Denise Rich. In the early-’90s, Ford was confirmed to be the featured male vocalist on Frankie Knuckles’ second studio album, 1995’s “Welcome to the Real World.” In the end, conflicts at the label (Virgin Records) prevented this from happening, and female singer Adeva became the album’s featured singer. Virgin then offered Ford a solo album deal. Unfortunately, this album never saw the light of day. Through the twists and turns—and ups and downs—of his recording career, Ford never stopped writing songs. In 2002, filming began for the documentary “Naked Fame,” which followed Ford’s transition from porn star to singer. Ford’s dance track, “Everything,” anchored the film, offering viewers the ins and outs of a one-time porn star making the jump—or in Ford’s case, returning—to the world of music. Ford’s single with Pepper MaShay, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” also became a Billboard Top 10 hit. Ford’s non-X rated acting skills also made their way to TV. Playing the role of Sheriff Trout, Ford appears in all three seasons of here! TV’s on-going campy gay vampire show, “The Lair.” Ford has also had cameos in the films “Another Gay Sequel” and Madonna and Rupert Everett’s “The Next Big Thing.” And in addition to his own numerous music videos, Ford starred in the video of Cyndi Lauper’s “Into the Nightlife.” Yes, he also performed on select dates of the Lauper-helmed True Colors 2008 Tour. Now, for those who remain unable to get beyond Ford’s porn star past to focus on his singing present (can you say “skeptic”?), Ford has a few words: “I can’t control how people feel about me, my past and my music. I have always sung and created music, so I just continue to do what I’ve always done. My main concern is to make music that I feel and that I’m proud of. The rest is out of my control. I know that there are some people who aren’t going to be able to see beyond my porn persona, and that’s OK.” Pausing for a moment, he adds, “I feel, however, that there are far more people out there who are interested in hearing what I can do musically, and are able to look beyond that part of my past. Those are the people I’m looking to reach. I’m doing what I love to do, so at the end of the day, I can say that I’m following my heart and living my dream. Isn’t that what we all
Wow....what an amazing over the top, phenomenal, sexy, fun, kinky weekend! Mr. International Rubber would like to thank everyone who attended MIR2010 and helped to make this year such a resounding success. The vendor market was busy all weekend long, our volunteers kept people informed and directed to the right locations, Kink Rubber and his assistants had willing volunteers (or is that victims) in rubber bondage all weekend long, the Center on Halsted pulled out all of the stops for their rubbery guests, and our judges, contestants, emcee and interpreter all worked hard to ensure that they provided us with a great contest and many memorable moments on stage. Seven men competed for the title of Mr. International Rubber 2010. The contest provided memorable moments including: our first ever "black carpet arrivals" photo area; our own "wardrobe malfunction" ala Janet Jackson courtesy of the one of our contestants and Emcee Eddie Hibbs; erotic rubber fantasies presented on stage, seven consecutive (and planned) rubber blowouts as the contestants were revealed on Saturday night; over $600 in gift certificates being given away to members of the audience; a memorable mystery bag segment in which the person who helped suggest some of the mystery bag items became the target of his of suggestions; and a tight competition to the finish.
Scent of Tom Of Finland Lewis Carroll once wrote: “When caught between two worlds, create one of your own. Others will invariably follow.” In many ways, this describes the life’s journey of Etienne de Swardt, the South African-born style-meister who was raised on a South Pacific island and today heads one of the most cutting-edge fragrance houses in Paris. As founder and president of Etat Libre d’Orange Parfums, he has drawn upon his life’s experiences—some might say contradictions—to create some of the most trendsetting and sexually suggestive fragrances imaginable, re-envisioning the very concept of what colognes and perfumes are meant to be. His is a visionary world, merging fantasy with history, film with fashion, eroticism with wit. And with his latest creation, Tom of Finland® Eau de Parfum, De Swardt has taken what is one of the most revered homoerotic icons and turned the very nature of gay sexuality on its ear.
early-1990s), the “Tom-man” was primarily rendered a world of blackand-white, possessed of exaggerated musculature and bulging, outsized genitalia. By parts hardcore and humorous, the images gave rise to the popularization of the gay leather subculture, which continues to flourish today in pornography, fashion, and In many ways, it was an impossible international Leather Pride events like task - capturing the essence of what a San Francisco’s Folsom Street Fair and “Tom-man” should smell like. As Chicago’s International Mr. Leather rendered by artist Touko Laaksonen competition. (who published under the name “Tom of Finland” from the 1950s to the
So what is the scent of an icon? How do you put into a bottle all the facets and contradictions of what Tom truly represents?
market interest, with high-end retail distribution throughout much of Europe, North America, and Asia. But the company’s fortunes soon hit a wall after the 9/11 attacks, whereby In order to answer that, one has to first interest in luxury pet goods quickly go back and trace the path from which diminished. De Swardt began this less-thanconventional journey. Born in the Free Undeterred and armed with an almost State to a South African father and indefatigable optimism, De Swardt French mother, De Swardt spent only decided to launch a line of meticulously part of his early childhood here before crafted human fragrances (utilizing the his family decided to immigrate to the talents of such world-class parfumiers idyllic island of New Caledonia. But it as Antoine Lie and Antoine Maisondieu) was those early years—or as De Swardt that, in De Swardt’s own words, are himself admits, the “romantic ideal” of “free from every taboo, where those early years—that grounded his insubordination and olfactory eroticism otherwise expansive world-view; so reign supreme.” much so, in fact, that the company’s name translates from the French to no less than the “Orange Free State.” After studying economics at Institut ESSEC, one of the most prestigious business schools in France, De Swardt spent seven years with Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) in marketing and conceptual development, where he honed his talents for identifying market trends. It was during this time that De Swardt began work on a dog fragrance for LVMH, an idea that was eventually dropped as being too risky for the parent brand. But for De Swardt, who considered himself a bit of a risk-taker, it was the ideal vehicle from which to launch his own entrepreneurial concerns. In 2000 Oh My Dog! fragrance debuted to much fanfare and
MIRRORBALLS - June 2009
Before long, De Swardt and his team would begin capturing the very essence of that ideal in a number of boldly conceived fragrances, sporting such titles as Sécrétions Magnifiques (Magnificent Secretions), Putain des Palaces (Hotel Slut), or the Marlene Dietrich-inspired Jasmin et Cigarette, which is, unsurprisingly, redolent of jasmine in a smoke-filled boîte. And while the accompanying package labels are no less provocative - a cartoonish ejaculating penis for Sécrétions Magnifique, bottleblonde pubic hairs on a brunette model for Vraie Blonde (True Blonde) - the fragrances themselves, even to a dilettante like me, are both elegant and evocative.
aging irises. Elements, that at least on paper, reflect little of the imagery we associate with Tom. Sure, the hints of musk and suede are there, but are Tom purists truly ready to trade in their “no cologne” ethos for a fragrance with notes of vanilla and tonka beans? (What the hell are tonka beans?!) “We created the fragrance for the ‘sons of Tom,’” asserts De Swardt. “Perhaps it’s more Fifth Avenue than Priape (the North American fetish retailer), but it’s true to what Touko Laaksonen’s art was all about. Playful, beautiful, daring.”
In the end, Dehner was clearly sold, giving his full endorsement to the creation. And when listening to De Swardt, who speaks with the animation of a first-year art It was ultimately Sécrétions Magnifiques student, one can’t help but be similarly that caught the attention of Durk Dehner, sold. Declarations that might seem the president and co-founder of the nototherwise flamboyant or whimsical are for-profit Tom of Finland Foundation in underpinned by De Swardt’s unforced Los Angeles. Intrigued by the nonsincerity and thoughtfulness. While he conformist sensibilities of De Swardt and often proclaims himself as a “faker” or his colleagues, Dehner soon agreed to “bullshitter,” you quickly realize that he’s commission a fragrance that would anything but. He’s simply a guy with an encapsulate the Tom ideal. instinctively disarming nature, readily No brief was given and, at first glance, searching for hints of common ground. the team assembled was no less And perhaps that is what’s at the heart of unconventional than the concept itself: Etat Libre d’Orange’s success. The De Swardt, a heterosexual parfumier knowledge that, as people, we often (Antoine Lie), and an Old Guard gay “bullshit” ourselves with our own leathermen. inflexibilities, straitjacketed by the very “Particularly with (Antoine) Lie, the idea icons we embrace. With Tom of Finland®, of a straight man creating a Tom De Swardt may not have discovered the fragrance was perfect,” recalls De Swardt. vehicle by which to transcend sexual “We didn’t want to restrict the creativity orientation (imagine your sister giving her or keep to the Tom lore of the ‘70s and boyfriend a bottle, complete with a free ‘80s.” dirty drawing inside), but perhaps in his own small way, he’s led us toward In doing so, Lie created a strangely opening our minds just that little more identifiable yet elusive fragrance that and finding that elusive “common layers saffron, mint, and pepper atop ground.”
Lemon 3 Lodger Gay guesthouse in South Africa
Life starts at forty they say Canada is way too cold. and nothing can be more South Africa proved an ideal true than that for both of candidate for us and we us! In July 2008 we moved first went on holiday there from the Netherlands all the to see if we would like it. way to South Africa. After We drove around the having looked at several Western Cape for a month, other English speaking absorbing all the countries in the last few breathtaking sceneries and years, we first visited South hospitality of the people. Africa in December 2007. The Western Cape would We landed in Cape Town definitely be the place for and as soon as we got off us, so we thought! the plane, we both knew Returning to the that this was the place for Netherlands in January us to go to. 2008, we immediately We decided we wanted to decided to sell our farm in move to an English speaking the province of Limburg and country, because we knew started to browse the that to master again internet for suitable another language would be properties in South Africa. too difficult at the age of A few years ago, we sold 40. We looked up friends in our horse farm near the city New Zealand and although it of Utrecht and we found is a beautiful country, it felt ourselves more or less semi like the end of the world to retired in our new us. We also visited family in farmhouse in Limburg. We Alberta, Canada, but
desperately needed a new challenge and started day dreaming about starting our own guesthouse. This dream came true much sooner than we thought and we are now the proud owners of Lemon3lodge. In March 2008 we returned to overlooking the Rietberg South Africa to look at mountains. several properties in the Western Cape. We saw It is a very modern and many guesthouses for sale trendy looking venue and on the internet and only that really appealed to us. one of them was located in Both of us were used living the Eastern Cape. in old houses and always thought that modern The guesthouse in the Eastern Cape turned out to buildings were not for us. However, the design and be the only one we really the indigenous liked, so we did not buy architecturally designed anything in the Western garden were just awesome Cape. The guesthouse is near the world famous Addo and won us over. Elephant Park and close to After first having been dairy farmers and then horse farmers, we were now Port Elizabeth. We bought citrus farmers, besides being the the place and took over on owners of the guesthouse! All three buildings are designed in a ‘minimalist’ the first of August 2008. One of the buildings is now our Lemon3lodge was only build way. www.lemon3lodge.co.za home. In the other two building you 4 years ago and is set on a willinfo@lemon3lodge.co.za find the rooms, the restaurant and lounge. Lemon3lodge is 230 designed small citrus farm, Telephone: 00 27 42 1653in a
‘U’ shape. In the courtyard you will find
www.heinsleather.com
Hein’s Leather photographs by inked kenny
Leather as lifestyle. It’s a term that readily conjures images of places like the Warmoesstraat in Amsterdam, Fugger Strasse in Berlin, Vauxhall in London, or San Francisco’s South of Market District. In South Africa, that distinction could very well go to the town of Botrivier in the Western Cape, an otherwise sleepy little hamlet situated amid a cluster of wine farms and boasting a
single supermarket and turnof-the-century hotel. But for nearly fifteen years now, Botrivier has also been home to the country’s premiere fetish leather producer, Hein’s Leather, a company whose growing renown extends well beyond Africa’s borders to the likes of Amsterdam, Berlin, London, and San Francisco.
With an ever-expanding roster of international clients, Hein’s Leather has become more than just a symbol of South African leather, but a vital link between the local community and the association of leather fraternities overseas. It’s one of the main reasons why Hein’s Leather was chosen to present the “Community Spirit Award” at the country’s first Mr. SAleathermen competition in May – an event conceived to bring the first African contestant to the International Mr. Leather (IML) contest in 2010.
“As the oldest fetish leather manufacturer in South Africa, there was really only one choice,” says James Myhre of the SAleathermen organization. “The award was meant to honor those who contributed to our community, increasing both awareness and visibility. Hein’s Leather is, without question, the very embodiment of that.”
Fo
unded in 1996 by Hein Kruger, the company is best known for its bespoke leather gear, as well as its extensive range of portable dungeon/playroom equipment. Utilizing the finest, locally tanned skins and custom-designed steel fittings, Kruger has made of career out of ensuring the kind of tailored fit one would generally associated with Savile Row. “Personally I hate gear that doesn’t fit like a second skin,” says Kruger. “Pants that don’t accentuate the butt, or waistcoats that gape at the
shoulders. Some say that you can’t guarantee a custom fit with mailorder gear, but we’ve proven over the years that you can.” In fact, Hein’s Leather’s measurement chart would likely put many Savile Row tailors to shame. And to Kruger, whose shop is literally draped in finely grained hides, leather itself is more than just a fabric or medium; it’s an outright philosophy.
The decision to start a fetish leather company was one that was forged out of necessity for Kruger. Unable to source quality gear from overseas, he fashioned his first outfit – a leather waistcoat, harness, cap, and a pair of chaps – literally by hand. “While I knew how to sew, my experience was really limited to things like woodworking and welding,” says Kruger. “I did a trial run using unbleached linen and when I got the patterns right, I started cutting the
leather and assembling the gear, piece by piece. I didn’t even have any equipment at the time, so all the stitching had to be done by hand. It took forever!” But Kruger’s designs immediately caught the attention of Cape Town’s leather crowd and orders soon began pouring in. Equipping himself with a industrial sewing machine, Kruger gradually grew the business, expanding his catalog and capitalizing on the ever-expanding word of mouth.
Overseas buyers soon the dip in the national currency that began began expressing back in the mid-80s, interest in Kruger’s Kruger’s custom designs gear, as well – not soon became an outright only because of the bargain to foreign immaculate quality consumers. His foray and worksmanship, into portable playroom but the price. With
plans afoot to participate in SAleathermen’s IML 2010 campaign. Add to that an expanded women’s range and new copyrighted furniture designs and you have what many would agree is a formula for success.
Tertius, recognizing us, is simply beyond words. It makes me feel like it’s time to join the rest of the world.” And Hein’s Leather is set to do just that, with new distributorship agreements being forged in the U.K. and
Flash forward to June 2009 as Mister Marcus, the beloved leather columnist of San Francisco’s Bay Area Reporter, announces Tertius van Niekerk as the winner of the Hein’s Leather Community Spirit Award in
his nationally distributed column. To some, it might have just been a mention. To Kruger, it was a calling. “Five years ago, no one would have paid attention to what was happening in South Africa,” says Kruger.