The Most Beautiful Man In The World - Issue 4

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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAN IN THE WORLD

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Máté Stefan, Hungary Photography Sam Scott Schiavo. MÁTÉ STEFAN wears sweater by James Long with jeans by Kenzo available from Harvey Nichols. Máté Stefan is represented by Sam the Agency

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ke ey ca Chimn e rm of e fo te e a th km ay, in . @Toro n his d amon te n h in g c ri d in t to b d rolle et trea tter an a swe ed bu loves lt d e n m a ith cs logisti sted w gh roa lises in st dou specia a e n y fa t, Ste wee r Máté from s worke made Office licacy e d n garia a Hun

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Ariana Grande may be the one declaring she’s ‘so into you, I can barely breathe’ but it’s a sentiment the team at TMBMITW can relate to after spending several months, in numerous cities, chasing men down the street to ask if we can photograph them. For this issue, we’ve scouted on the streets of Budapest, chased down drag queens in L.A., and reported back from the wildest religious ceremony you’ll see on Easter Sunday, in where else but San Francisco.

From the wild to the wiser, this month we’ve also spent time going through the 90s photo albums with former part-time model Rob, who reflects on his days in front of the camera. We profile an artist who has spent his life behind the camera, photographing, drawing and painting beautiful moments with beautiful men. We hope you’ll agree Michael Leonard is a painter worth shining a spotlight on, which is why his work is this issue’s cover story.

You can see much more of Michael’s work at michaelleonardartist.com and while you’re surfing, let us know what you think. Get in touch, by email or on our socials. We appreciate all feedback. And follow the boys on Instagram, show them some love!

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MÁTÉ STEFAN, Hungary

CHAD, Utah

JORGE, Barcelona

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ARTURAS, Lithuania

KAEL, Mongolia

ROB, Chelmsford

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RASUL, Russia

RUSSELL, Las Vegas

MATTY, Farnham

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SERGIO, San Francisco

CHARLIE, Devon

HUNKY JESUS

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SIEGBERT, Austria

LAITH, New York

LASZLO, Budapest

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DYLAN, San Francisco

MICHAEL LEONARD

JASON, Las Vegas

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THEO, Shepherds Bush

DRAGCON

Editor In Chief Frank Strachan / Art Director Chris Williams / Editorial Director Colin Crummy / Editorial Consultant Jamie Hakim / Fashion Contributor Rikki Finlay / Fashion Assistant Jessica Johnston Contributing Photographers: Cameron McNee, Gregory Vaughan, Phillip Riches, Hammond Hagan, Sam Scott Schiavo, Steve Bousfield Special thanks to: James Probert, Zack Tate, Nicola Atkinson, Christopher Shannon, Kay Barron, Natascha Stolle, Darren Styles, Peter Lorraine, Annabel Caley, Theresa, Angela, Linda, Brenda, George and Harold. Atul Pathak, Lee and Amelia. Min and Josh.

Huey Gary, David Roberts, Richard Willbreham, Hattie and Chris

themostbeautifulmanintheworld.co.uk Twitter: @TMBMITWmagazine / Instagram: @TheMostBeautifulManInTheWorld / editor@themostbeautifulmanintheworld.co.uk / Back and current issues available online from themostbeautifulmanintheworld.co.uk/store TMBMITW, Studio 18, Make Space Studios, Newnham Terrace, London SE1 7DR Advertising: enquiries@ themostbeautifulmanintheworld.co.uk

#TMBMITW On the cover: Bather Reaching Down, 1997, Michael Leonard michaelleonardartist.com

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Frank.

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-ARTURAS-

Arturas, Lithuania Photography Sam Scott Schiavo. Styling Frank Strachan. L-R: ARTURAS wears ‘Needy’ sweater by Christopher Shannon, jeans by Hugo Boss; jeans by James Long; Marilyn shirt and shorts both by Dries Van Noten available from Harvey Nichols. Arturas is represented by Sam the Agency.

me his na know d may u a fr l edica rming ate m . @Abu vestig ermits p hich in w e s m e en ti gazin yer wh of ma en pla aders ’s a ke tor. Re e c h a l; F ca eX the lo n of Th down l editio to him in e loca n th ru m ay fro rturas ulars m nise A rts reg recog nd da y A a ). m e n of o aders -chief rian re itor-in Hunga e’s ed (h d a e masth

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e from th

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Rasul, Russia

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Photography Philip Riches.

Styling Frank Strachan. clockwise from top left, RASUL wears shorts by Joyrich with trainers by Vans; sweatshirt by Joyrich, with cycling shorts by New Future London; shorts by Umbro.

Rasul

and h is work -

out frie nd

s build powerf

ul phy siq

ues th roug

h gym n

astics

and a specif ic

kind o f calis th

enics,

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where

male

bondin

g and a leve l of ma ch

ismo a re key ingred

ients.

@Gran

dishek

ov

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Sergio, San Francisco te naviga bike to is h n o r.” mping n Ube than ju t for a opt ou g more r in o th p o u y sn ole wa d love 007 gy an @Serg the wh oncolo breath pack.” in k y c ls m a r ia b al tr my unde ed to them s clinic attach curse anage eaker either yer m p t s la s p e ju I e h th on en tromb throug hill, th ulous music n-born a ridic o Rica ng my p rt ti s u e s u la P e b e, d liv . The my bik a frien ncisco wn on unless an Fra und to where ys in S ro ry a ra e g e v in nd e es som st cruis day a catch happie every Sergio s. “I’m cycle e I d “ ri . ls e hil y as h the SF to part o likes He als

Cuba

Micha n-born

el,nam

k er bas ed aft

icha star M etball

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n, has

e a care d out carve

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p hip ho r as a

n’t He ca ndon.

East Lo in s e ael liv r. Mich dance

Mike hula. @

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Photography Hammond Hagan.

_insta

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Siegbert, Austria

There

are th ree

things

you sh ould

know

about

Siegbe

rt. His star-sig

n is Ca nce

r. He is a twin . He is a bric kla

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Photography Sam Scott Schiavo. SIEGBERT wears all clothes by Jeremy Scott for Adidas Originals

yer. W e save d

the be st for la st. @Sie gbe

rt.pfeff

er

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Dylan

was b orn an d raise d

on a fa rm in S outh D akota .

Now h e’s a b oy of Silicon

Valley

Dylan, Sillicon Valley Photography Hammond Hagan.

, work ing in brand

ing fo r Twitte

r. He a lso serv es

in the Nation

al Gua rd. @D .juhnk

e

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Theo, Shepherds Bush -THEO-

poten aw the Theo s

use an un tial in

d

local r of his corne

comm

unity

ains now tr , and centre

others

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pu in his

built rpose-

gym.

ate es priv He do

cal with lo works d n a s classe

Pnp_ kids. @

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Photography Philip Riches. THEO wears mesh shorts by Christopher Shannon with trainers

by Converse.

tc

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If Cha d had a dati Oh, an ng pro d he d file it m ates o ight re ne of ad: nig Britney ht club ’s dan host a cers, w nd pro hich m moter, ight ru likes h le him iking in out fro the m m hav ounta ing a ins, an dating d is cle profile arly a altoge fan of ther. @ workin Gunth g out. ercha d

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-CHAD-

Chad, Utah Photography Gregory Vaughan.

Styling Frank Strachan. Clockwise from top left: CHAD wears shirt by Orlebar Brown with jeans by Topman; shorts by House of Holland with Havaianas; jeans by Topman.

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Kael, Mongolia

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-KAEL-

Photography Sam Scott Schiavo. Styling Frank Strachan. KAEL wears pink linen cargo shirt by Yohji Yamamoto available from Harvey Nichols, with Bart Simpson shirt and shorts by Joyrich. Kael is represented by Sam the Agency.

Maste uages

lang ning a on. is plan , s etenti s e e in d usin this on onal B ti d a n fi rn ly to s Inte unlike studie ’d be lf. He s, you himse e l o th o lo h t sc his c cker a ter on no sla harac oon c Kael is rt t a u c b the son Unlike rt Simp yball. ring Ba h volle e wea c b a e y b a e of He m a gam njoys and e

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erma rs in G

ny,

Hands tands are th and is e leas photo t of it w graph ith Rus ed he sell, w re outs ho is a ide th Cirque e icon du Sole ic Circ il perfo us Circ rmer. us Ca He en sino, ju tertain st by th s nigh e clow tly in th n’s sho e Bea e (it’s tles ‘Lo the big ve’ sh bright ow at thing in The M irage the ba in Veg ckgro as und). @Russ elmco rpis

Russell, Las Vegas Photography Gregory Vaughan.

Styling Frank Strachan. This page: RUSSELL wears jacket by Christopher Kane, navy shorts

by Robinson Les Bains. Opposite: Printed t-shirt and shorts both by Christopher Kane, with trainers by adidas.

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Charlie invites us out into the sunshine as he longs for the coast photography cameron mcnee styling christopher preston

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k a t , t e k c i t y a w e n O

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w y n a e m ke

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CHARLIE wears sweatpants by Thom Browne available from Mr Porter, with trainers by Converse.

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-CHARLIE-

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Growing up in Yealmpton, a small village in Devon close to Plymouth, Charlie has always loved to surf. He surfs with two mates that he has known since he was four – he went to school with them through to sixth form – and grew up living on the same street. Other than playing football (a previous career aspiration) surfing is the thing he loves to do the most, and whenever possible he heads back to the coast to either Bigbury and Bantham beaches, or further afield to the northern coast of Cornwall in Gwithian Bay and Newquay. If he wasn’t modelling, he thinks he would most likely be, “Serving the Queen in the Royal Marines or beach bumming somewhere with a beach!” After falling in love with Australia having spent a year on a working visa, that’s where he would like to be most in the world. If it’s overcast and hard to get out of bed in the morning, how do we emulate Charlie’s get-up-and-go attitude?

“Listen to Want You In My Soul by the Love Birds, if you haven’t heard it yet, listen to

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-CHARLIE-

it, you’ve got to trust me on this one!” @Charfrederick

Opposite: CHARLIE wears sweater by French Connection with sweatpants by Thom Browne available from Mr Porter and Trainers by Valentino This page , T-B: CHARLIE wears jacket by Topman with hoodie by Thom Browne available from Mr. Porter, shorts by Adidas by Kolor available from Harvey Nichols and leggings and trainers both by Nike; shorts by Adidas by Kolor available from Harvey Nichols with vest by Nike.

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-CHARLIE-

This page: CHARLIE wears shirt and trousers both by Topman with Vest by Neil Barrett; jacket, jumper, and shorts all

by Abercrombie & Fitch with socks and trainers by Whistles.

Opposite: Shorts and leggings both by Aeance with trainers by Valentino.

Charlie is represented by Nevs Models.

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Laith as himself

The New York model talks selfhood and selfies

photography gregory vaughan words colin crummy

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We’re talking selfies with Laith Ashley, a pro at taking the right shot and getting it noticed.

“A friend of mine is going to get one of those

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Ty Lites,” he says. “It’s like a make up mirror

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with all the lightbulbs around it, but for your phone. So your photograph always comes out flawless.”

The 26-year-old Manhattanite doesn’t need too much in the way of good lighting. He’s modelled for Barney’s in a campaign shot

by Bruce Weber, walked the runway at New York fashion week for Adrian Alicea and Gypsy Sport this spring and 84,000 people follow him on Instagram. Not bad for someone who only recently stepped in front of the camera.

Until November 2015 Laith worked full time as an insurance navigator for a LGBT health centre in New York. But his life was taking a different path, in more ways than one.

In 2013, after a friend put Laith forward, he won a role in an advertising campaign of Barney’s, the iconic New York department store, which featured transgender models.

When the photographs came out early the following year, his professional career took off. “I had no idea how big the campaign would be,” he says. But he had also taken a decision in his personal life too; in the same period, he underwent surgery to transition.

During this period, he lived a relatively private life, the initial media interest in him somewhat quietened. Then in early 2015, he modelled in underwear for a friend and put an image of the results on Instagram, which resulted in his second, sustained wave of fame. He’s put it to good use. He’s since quit his job, has modelled in New York fashion week and is looking to further a career in the creative arts.

Laith is usually asked to be shot in underwear and swimwear; an obvious go-to when he looks as he does stripped down. But he’s happy, for once, to be wearing clothes for TMBMITW shoot. “I call it body boy syndrome. I’ve become one of the body boys,” he laughs. “I don’t mind doing the

“It’s a lway

s ‘let’s get hi m in h It’s nic is und e to h erwea ave c r’. lothes on.”

undressed thing but it’s always ‘let’s get him in his underwear’. It’s nice to have clothes on. I can do fashion!” @Laith_Ashley

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Grooming by Mike Fernandez represented by Wilhelmina

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A design for life Artist Michael Leonard takes us through his most vital work words colin crummy

When artist Michael Leonard looked out across the way from his top floor flat in South Kensington in 1970s London, he would see builders working. He was struck by how the scene framed itself, in a grid of scaffolding and sky. With his background in design, he was drawn to the inherent structure he could see. “It was just me looking across the road,” he says, “with all this going on, why not paint it?” He began to paint a series of intensely structured pictures on the theme, where the men take on a classic, virile beauty. But the work across the road was only a starting point for Michael’s art, which is regularly infused with classical references. The painting, Passage of Arms, 1979 nods to the battle scenes of 14th Century painter Paolo Uccello. “If you think of the poles as weapons and spanners on their belts as daggers, you have lots of references to arms.

So it seemed like a good title,” Michael says.

Michael was born into a military life himself, in India in 1933 where his father was stationed in the army. As a child, he says he was always drawing from the beginning. “I was on my own a lot, I was perfectly happy.” After the war, he moved to England and once he’d completed National Service in the army, he studied Commercial Design and Illustration in St Martins School of Art in London. By the time he left art school in 1957, he was already working as a freelance illustrator.

He continued with the work by day, but began painting at home. In 1972, Fischer Fine Art gallery in London included a number of his paintings in a group show, followed by a solo exhibition in 1974. Becoming an artist was never a choice for him, he says. “I didn’t think I had any other options. It was what I was good at.”

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L-R: Self Portrait, 1987, Passage of Arms, 1979

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Clockwise from top left: Trees - Charing Cross Rd, 1955; Flying a Kite; Brompton Oratory, 1973; Three Scaffolders, 1983; No End To The Way by Neville Jackson, 1967(Corgi Books)

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Michael worked as an illustrator for the Soho-based agency Artists Partners. He designed book jackets, illustrations for magazines, advertising and the press. As

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a student, he would go out into central London and sketch what he saw on a side street, in the YCMA or at Charing Cross Road. “I stood upright on the street and somehow held the sketchpad and ink and drew,” he recalls. “I don’t know how I did it. I just went on until I got tired.” And even though his early work life occurred in ‘the golden age of illustrating’, he was itching to get on with art. “I thought there must be more to life than this after a while,” he recalls. “I started doing weird painting.”

He was approaching 40 by the time he began to exhibit work, like [right] Flying a Kite; Brompton Oratory, 1973. He describes his initial work as ‘somewhat sober and low key’. People stood in doorways, or rested on settees with pets. But pictures like Flying a Kite, with its built-in structure and the unconscious grace of its subject, precluded his later work, the Scaffolding series from the late 70s.

Michael’s day job helped to clarify a working method. “I came to it from commercial art. I had to get references fast and I had to get rapid results,” he says. He took photographs of subjects, sometimes up to ten or so and then edited: composing the painting while changing things as he went, adding friend’s faces or different clothes into the frame. So the final image, like Changing, 1981, isn’t at all exactly what he saw on the street. The builders, for instance, didn’t always look as stylised or as colour co-ordinated as the paintings suggest. They perhaps did not wear their shorts as snugly either. Some paintings took a number of years, many overlapped each other. Changing, 1981, where men take off their shirts in front of the red hoardings of a building site, was also aptly named, as it pointed to where Michael’s work was heading next.

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Changing, 1981

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The male nude has been a recurring theme in Michael’s work. Early examples showed the male sitter partially undressed, back to the painter.

Man Undressing, 1976 is

less shy about the male form, a trend that continues throughout the Changing series, another

of

Michael’s

significant

series

of work. But they are rarely completely “Because

that’s

boring,”

says

Michael. “You want them to do be doing something, something real. Something to resist against, like taking off something.

You immediately have a shape and a garment to relate the body to and that’s

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much more interesting. And that’s what you make the design out of.”

Clockwise from top left: Man Undressing, 1976; Stooping Bather, 1980; White Socks, 1997

michaelleonardartist.com

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naked.

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Clockwise from top left: Dressing 33, 1981; Changing Head, 1982; Back to Back, 1999

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In the office at his West Kensington apartment in London, the shelves are full of black-andwhite photographs of the men Michael shot. “Rough and ready, information shots of guys, friends, portraits, bodies,” he explains, “everything really for reference.”

All the paintings came from drawings, which “became things in themselves. They were perfectly satisfactory without being turned into paintings.” He was attracted to making the shapes out of the bodies while adding a touch of eroticism. But it shouldn’t be overwhelming, he says. “Just a charge; anything that charges the picture up.”

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Michael

was

Queen

on

commissioned the

occasion

to of

paint

the

her

60th

birthday. How was Her Majesty? “The situation isn’t easy,” he says. “You’re at a total disadvantage and nervous as hell. I decided not to do any painting or drawings at all. I just took photographs. I had an idea, I did her with one of the dogs. My mother had one of the same breeds so I knew if she sat down on the sofa, what the dog would do. So I had a head start.” The commission, in 1986, proved controversial.

The Times suggested it was a surprising one given Michael was known for painting naked men. “The Palace didn’t appear to mind, is all I can say,” he smiles.

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At the same time, The Mail on Sunday rang, thirsty for royal scandal. The reporter asked Michael if he was gay. His reply? “Yes. So?” His work has not exactly shied away from sexuality. But he bristles at the idea that, given the substance and context of his work, it is a glaring omission from next year’s Queer British Art exhibition at Tate Britain. ‘‘I don’t really like being labelled like that. I don’t really like categories.” To pigeonhole him as a gay artist is perhaps to do him a disservice, given that the work spans over five decades and many more themes than the homoerotic. The paintings are striking and mysterious, whatever the context, whether kite flying in the park or Charlie with his parcel.

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Clockwise from top left: H.M.Queen Elizabeth II, 1986; Charlie’s Parcel, 1976; Afternoon of the Kites, 1977; Girl with a Hairbrush, 1988; Girl in the Hall, 1977;

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Vanitas, 1991

Most of the people in Michael’s pictures were friends or people he simply

At 84, Michael is largely unable to paint because of ill health. It’s infuriating,

asked to pose for him. Men he references as we talk in his studio, like

he says, not being able to pick up the paint brush as he has done. He

Barry, a chef from a restaurant on the Old Brompton Road, Ken, a show

is putting his energy into creating a new website, where all his work will

dancer with impressive biceps or Sean, a prima ballerina in Les Ballet

be catalogued. It’s partly for the fun of making something, partly with

Trockadero. All have disappeared from his life because of the passing of

an eye on posterity. He made his will just the week before we visited.

time, many dead from AIDS-related illnesses. Only one of his paintings

“People keep asking me if there will be a launch party for the website,”

addresses the epidemic directly, Vanitas, 1991. “He’s sleeping with

he says, sounding unfussed. But it would be a nice idea, to celebrate as

death,” Michael says of the subject. ‘Putting a skull in is pretty loaded.’

vital a life’s work.

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MISS FAME, NYC @Missfamenyc

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photography gregory vaughan words jamie hakim

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casting frank strachan

o y e v lo

. . . f l e s ur

...how the hell are you gonna love someone else? Each Ru Paul’s Drag Race episode closes with

the Kim Chi panel on the perfect ‘beat’ (dragspeak for make up) to the Michelle Visage meet

a benediction to self-acceptance. The thing that struck me the most was an incredibly spirited

and greet. Alaska 5000 walks past and we all-but pass out … ok we’re getting carried away, but

feeling of positivity. I can re-watch a Snatch Game, a reading challenge or lip-synch battle and

we defy anyone to stand in the DragCon hall, and not feel the adrenaline of excitement as the

immediately I feel uplifted. That same inspiring emotion is in the air as we wander the cavernous

stars of Drag Race walk past. A ‘snatched for the gods’ Miss Fame descends an escalator, and

halls of Ru Paul’s DragCon 2016, now in its second year. This is the hard business end of Ru Paul’s TV powerhouse, yet it’s brimming with fun and joy!

as fans call out her name, she looks like a legend of the silver screen.

And then there’s the boys. As is the law of the gay cosmos, where there are drag queens there will

Located in the LA Conference Centre, DragCon (a play on ComicCon) brings together all your

be hot boys, and this is never truer than in LA, where go-go boys/underwear models/aspiring

favourite Drag Race stars under one roof, giving the fans an opportunity to meet their favourite

actors abound – many with social media followings to rival even the most Instagram-savvy

drag queens and buy their ‘merch’. As always we’re here looking for the handsome boys on the

drag racer. Some are tending to these very racers. Others are peddling underwear brands, gay

periphery of the drag scene. Though despite the Andrew Christian and MarcoMarco boys having

legal services or wigs for pets stalls (why not?). Whilst others are just here, like us, gagging at

a silent bulge-off, the crowd’s eyes are drawn much higher than usual – towards battalions of

the spectacle unfolding before them. All of them are sickening. Over the following pages we

six-foot drag queens sashaying through the halls. The drag is the real star of the show here.

select only the hottest and ask them about drag race, the universe and everything. Can we get

We’re no different to the masses. We run from Katya at her stall selling her creepy mini-hands, to

an Amen!

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“You h ave lit ‘My fa tle gir vourite ls with questi signs t c o l our is oning hat sa g litter.’ childr y, them e M n oms w feel no ; there ith the thing l suppo ir ess th r t i n g and m an am aking azing and in clude d.”

MITO,

Maryl

and @ mist

ertre

at

MITO, Maryland @mistertreat

PANDORA, Rochester NY @Pandoraboxx

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JOEL, Seattle @Joedom3

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MATHU ANDERSEN, LA @Mathuism

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s like di s i d l r rag wo d e h T “

@Serv

ibern

C.”

a

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SERV

Spain ANDO,

I , MAG d n a l y ne

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1st row L-R: MISS FAME, NYC @Missfamenyc, SPENCER, San Diego @Freshlikespency, KATYA ZAMOLODCHIKOVA, Boston @Katya_zamo. 2nd L-R: MILK, NYC @Bigandmilky, TYRA SANCHEZ, Orlando @Tyrasanchez, STEVEN, LA @Stevenandradeofficial. 3rd row L-R: ADORE DELANO, California @Adoredelano, Unknown, DETOX, Los Angeles @Theonlydetox. 4th row L-R: MICHELLE VISAGE, New Jersey @Michellevisage, GINGER EDDIE, Los Angeles @Gingereddie, VIOLET CHACHKI, Atlanta @Violetchachki

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CHRIS, LA @Christo91o

ey are h t d n a , eens, u Q e girls s g o a h r t D . As . I love k with a r l e i l o n b w a m y M u larl and h aomi, t N e , “I regu e x te!” o w t s a e v y i l D r , e p t m absolu , Willa p them n e e e d k l y l ’ h, Ja es…. I i r o t Maria s fun for the R

ing es @G

eredd

ie

ALASKA 5000, Pennsylvania @Theonlyalaska5000

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GINGE

Angel , Los EDDIE

ALVARO, Spain @Alvaromasa

BABY BEAR, Seattle @theonlybabybear

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verted o r t n i little at way e “I’m a r g y l a real … so it’s rything e v e to see ] from h c r e gm on of i t [sellin c e t o the pr d think n i t h ’ n o be Id om table. g i b eak fr a r b a s took g look I ever n i t t a h Snapc day!” r e t s e y , BENNY

enn LA @B

yptwe

ets

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CORY, LA @Coryz07

“These kids g et to e and m xplore eet th thems e que It’s so elves ens th inspiri ey loo n g f o to live k up t r them o. ; enco as aut hentic urage ment ally as they c an.”

AARON

BOOMER, New York @Baconlvr

, Pen ns

ylvan

ia @a aro

njayy

oung

ALYSSA EDWARDS, Texas @Alyssaedwards_1

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AARON, Pennsylvania @aaronjayyoung

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-DRAGCON1st row L-R: ALASKA 5000, Pennsylvania @Theonlyalaska5000, MARK, Central Illinois @Markthomasw, REYES, New Mexico. 2nd row L-R: MILK, New York @Bigandmilky, MICHAEL, New York @Michaelmejiaart with GEORGE, New York @Lemongeorgelime, JONATHAN, LA @Jawhar_paulo. 3rd row L-R: ARAD, Persia @Arad.winwin, DISASTERINA, Los Angeles @coldslutsonfire, LADY RED COUTURE, Los Angeles @Mothercouture. 4th row L-R: DANIEL, NYC @Whatsupdanny, MANILA LUZON, Minnesota @Manilaluzon, LAGANJA ESTRANJA, Texas @Laganjaestranja

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e ple ar o e p f a lot o t than u n b o , y C l l g a ra tion re n at D n e e t m t a h it to get n to.” uck w l g e r n e i e t b t t c e e e ’t exp bar I’v ving b n a s y h a a g w m “I me. I’ or any o r t e g d n n i i ,T talk Grindr COLE,

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ole go @C Chica

chris

toph

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styling frank strachan

Spanish fencing champion Jorge basks in the Barcelona sunlight (because he’s worth it)

I’ll come in a hurricane for you

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-JORGE-

Jorge tends to let his hair flow loose in the wind, rather than tying it up out of the way. It creates a striking image as he walks through the streets of a sun-baked Barcelona, and it gets him noticed. People make comments as they pass him, out loud or to each other; some try to take discreet photos.

He puts its luminescence down to a very healthy lifestyle, and his daily nutritional supplement of brewers yeast, rather than any special maintenance or shampoo. The only time he has to tie it back is when he is fencing. Starting at 8, he was only 12 when he began competing on a national level.

At 15 he was travelling Europe to compete in international competitions for Spain, and moving to Rome temporarily to a specialist fencing training camp. A recent operation on his right hand has seen him benched for a year as he builds the strength back up ready to compete again in 2017. Fencing professionally

means

he

doesn’t

have

another job, and so spends time sculpting his physique in the gym. He emphasises that whilst nature may have given him long locks, his body is down to hard work.

Preferring nights in to partying, Jorge loves to read, currently working through Midnight

by Julien Green, which he’s hoping to finish

r that” o f d r a a phenomenon of nature, as his looks are work h o t e more unusual than beautiful. We’ll be the . I hav y d judge of that. @Jorgepla_oficial o b is not th t u b , ir this ha e m gave e r u t a “N before heading to the Costa Brava for the

summer. On being asked to be featured in our fourth issue, Jorge believes he’s cast as

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JORGE wears shirt and trouser both by Edward Crutchley.

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-ROB-

Rob, Chelmsford photography steve bousfield words nick levine Earlier this year Rob relocated from London to Gran Canaria because he felt it was time to “pick up, move and start again.” While he was in the process of “literally packing up my entire life,” he unearthed a box of old photos and uploaded some of them, the ones he liked best, to Facebook.

For obvious reasons, Rob’s pictures attracted our attention. It’s rare to see such an attractive young guy looking so natural and unaffected.

“They’re not modelling shots,” Rob explains today. “They’re shots I did for Steve, a guy who befriended me and kind of became my gay dad. He was a keen photographer and asked if he could take a few shots, and I said yes because I trusted him.” Rob says he enjoyed taking direction from Steve, but points out that any confidence he appears to be projecting is just that: a hollow projection.

“Although you might think I’m looking a bit cocky or arrogant, I was probably feeling the complete opposite. There’s a vulnerability there.”

In fact, Rob was suffering from severe body image issues at the time. “Some of these pictures, like the one where I’m wearing a bright blue shirt, were taken at a Pride festival. Why am I wearing so many clothes? That gives you an insight into my lack of confidence: people don’t wear clothes to Pride festivals and yet I’ve covered myself up from head to toe.”

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y t cock i b a ooking there.” l m ’ I bility t think h a r g i e n m l u v “You re’s a e h t t bu

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Rob says his favourite pictures are two taken during a trip to Amsterdam. In one, we see him waiting for a tram; in the other, he’s wearing a red jacket as he explores the city. “I was away with Steve, his partner and a guy who was my partner at the time. These pictures weren’t posed at all. They were just taken as I was hanging out in Amsterdam. I like them because they’re candid; they show me as me.”

In the years since these photos were taken, Rob worked as a porn actor before moving into the publishing industry. After six years of counselling, he was diagnosed as bipolar and now feels as though he’s developed the skills he needs to regulate his mental health. In Gran Canaria he’s set up his own PR business and says “things are going quite well for me.” The climate there clearly suits him. “I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety and body image issues, but waking up every day knowing it’s going to be hot and sunny, it does change your mood. It gives you such a positive outlook every day.”

The rediscovery of these pictures has also given him a confidence boost. “It’s only now that I can look back and think, ‘Wow, you actually looked quite hot.’ To have memories like this resurface and then to get such positive feedback from people is an overwhelming experience.

I’m humbled by that. It’s just such a nice, warm feeling.”

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Come outside and feel the morning sun

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We join Farnham-born Matty at his old training ground. photography cameron mcnee styling christopher preston Matty’s song du jour is Rihanna’s Work, apt since he’s hard at the grind himself at present. A model with a blossoming career, time for rugby – which he’s played since he was 12 – is limited. He’s given up playing for his local club, Farnham in Surrey, finding a sport notorious for hard knocks not conducive with a job dependent on maintaining a pretty face. If he weren’t a model, Matty would have probably ended up working in the family roofing business. He’s looking forward to a holiday in Barcelona and the South of France this summer, which will be a break from all this work, work, work, work, work, work. @Mattycarrington_

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Opposite L-R: MATTY wears top by Dolce & Gabbana available from matchesfashion.com; black training top and shorts both by Nike This page: Hoodie by Thomas Maier available from matchesfashion.com with shorts by Nike.

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Opposite: MATTY wears shorts and trainers by Nike This page: Top and trainers by Nike with his own Shorts and socks.

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This page: All clothing and trainers by Nike Opposite: Sweater and socks by Whistles with his own shorts. Matty is represented by Select Models.

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TAKE US TO

An older gent walks through San Fran’s Golden Gate Park with a sign that reads: ‘Jesus died on the cross because he didn’t have a safe word’. An Easter Bunny raves to 90s House. And various incarnations of the Christian savior himself pop up at every corner (Hallelujah!) voguing, pretending to be stoned (well, maybe not pretending), or showing off his six pack. Those religious dudes sure knew how to have a good time.

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As Easter celebrations go, Hunky Jesus 2016, might not be quite the kind of thing Jesus envisaged when he died for our sins. But it sure is more compelling than the slog that is the Stations of the Cross. Instead, Hunky Jesus is a pageant celebrating the sexier side of three days dying on a cross with only a loincloth to spare your modesty.

It was dreamed up by local provocateurs, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which has been making

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photography hammond hagan

L-R: SHAWN, San Francisco @saw2239, SISTER HERA SEES CANDY, SISTER SYBIL LIBERTEASE, SISTER ROMA, “Ripped Jesus” JEREMY, Yonkers @Jaymtorres13, “Classic Jesus” SAMUEL, Austin Texas, MOTHER CHUCKA (not a sister but a saint!)

a mockery of religious bigotry and intolerance and promoting LGBT rights since 1979. In its earliest days, The Sisters – mostly gay men – dressed as nuns and kept their beards to raise awareness of social issues in San Fran’s iconic gay district, the Castro. Straight-laced was not their vibe – the sisterhood a powerful embodiment of genderfuckery – and in 2016 that spirit of rebellion remains as vibrant as ever in a city undergoing radical

social and economic change.

Hunky Jesus 2016 is decided by whoever the enthusiastic crowd goes wildest for.

‘Cheerleader Jesus’ looks like the contestant to beat.

Pom-poms at the ready, this burly Christian charm comes complete with his very own cheer routine: ‘Jesus died for your sins / And now I’m back to win win win!’ thesisters.org

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“I quit my job in Orange County and moved to San Francisco for a job in the tech industry. The city served as a refuge and embraced me for who I was - especially during that vulnerable time in my life. I was exposed to so much cultural diversity and different ways of expressing oneself. It was the first time I felt like I could truly be me. That’s what makes San Francisco so special. She takes society’s outcasts and celebrates them.” SCOTT

Clockwise from top left: SISTER GAIA LOVE, Los Angeles Sisters; DOMINIC, Chicago; SCOTT, Laguna Niguel @Scottdimond; ‘Voguing Jesus’ JOHN, San Francisco @Johnnyrawkit

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“I love what the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence do. I felt a strong sense of community and nothing but love filled the air.” JEREMY ‘Ripped Jesus’

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Clockwise from top left: ‘Ripped Jesus’ JEREMY Yonkers @ Jaymtorres13; EASTER BUNNY; SHAWN, San Jose @Saw2239; ‘Cheerleader Jesus’ & SISTER ROMA @Sister_roma

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Clockwise from top left: KYLE, Oregon; SISTER AGNES DEI AFTA TAMARA; ‘Junkie Jesus’ TRAVIS @Travstanton; THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE, ZEV, Oakland @Zevubu

“Why did I move to San Francisco?

A higher chance to have sex with people in good costumes.” ZEV

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Samuel, Austin Texas ‘Classic Jesus’ What are you doing right now?

Currently working on a ship. The job sort of leads into what I enjoy doing when not living the holy life.

Working long shifts also leads into having ample time off which works out great for traveling. Aside from that hiking, camping, or anything that takes you outside is how I fill most of my time off.

Why did you enter Hunky Jesus?

My friends Bob and Abel called from San Francisco after seeing a picture of me with long hair for the first time. The first thought that crossed their minds was Hunky Jesus. They didn’t leave many options, I had to be there. My girlfriend Mckenzie, and some of Bob’s friends turned out to watch.

Just getting the chance to laugh about it that day and following was great. Plus Bob has lived in San Francisco for over twenty years so he had many friends who filtered in and out throughout the day to say hello.

Did any of your friends compete?

Only

the

ones

I

met

during

the

competition;

unfortunately I only have stage names for them.

The winner in my eyes was “Drop Dead Jesus”.

The costume was over the top, dedication to the character, and he was just a fun guy to kill an hour with waiting around in a crowd with no clothes on.

What was the best response to dressing up as Jesus?

Pictures. pictures, pictures.

It was unbelievable

the number of pictures I had to take that day.

Easily in the one and a half to two hours I was in costume I took more pictures than I had taken in the 26 years previous. It was great that the whole gathering. Plus, who doesn’t like to have

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people there were in such great spirits about the their ego stroked by people taking pictures of them in no clothing? There were a few negative comments that came about - not everyone found the concept of a Hunky Jesus contest nearly as funny as I did! Thankfully they did not deter me. I’ll be back next year.

Talk us through your outfit.

The outfit was just basic Jesus attire. I had a flight at five in the afternoon and was at the costume shop two hours before that throwing together the costume last minute. A loin cloth tends not to cover too much and it was a windy day. Being true to character I didn’t have anything on underneath. Without knowing what to expect from the competition I just went classic Jesus. The gears are already turning for next year’s costume.

How

was

the

atmosphere

in

the

park?

Just another piece of the puzzle that is San Fransisco. Hunky Jesus was nothing but fun. Everywhere you looked people were piled together on blankets with beer and chatter. Smiling and waiting for the chance to holler at their favourite Jesus as they walked out on stage and attempted to win the crowd. It was such a wide range of people there as well it’s just one of those gatherings that draws you in and makes you enjoy the day.

Organised chaos at its finest and I can’t wait to experience everything again.

Did your red wine come in handy?

I found out that I was weirdly comfortable being that exposed around that many people, not sure what that says about me. The wine was a great prop but yes, I was very happy that it was a full bottle once the day started!

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Laszlo

Laszlo, Budapest Photography Sam Scott Schiavo. From T-B: LASZLO wears t-shirt by Loewe available from Selfridges; jacket by Coach and jeans

by Gucci, both available from Selfridges; leather jacket by Diesel, grey top by Pieter available from Harvey Nichols with jeans by Gucci available from Selfridges and trainers by Nike. Laszlo is represented

by Sam the Agency.

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Jason, Las Vegas

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Photography Gregory Vaughan. JASON wears embroidered hoodie by House of Holland, with his own jeans.

il. du Sole irque g at C in tl b rm n erfo @Js from p s best. d him e love s force what h a g h in ry o inju e, d Mirag use his at The , beca back a boo e f b o n it ab soo e him e he’ll l forgiv ecaus ut we’l ncer b b a d y b e r Kyli ry ba forme ’s no c Jason for this miles s ll a But it’s

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