Until we can go back to the beach or sit by a pool, we can think about what swimwear we are going to wear when we can. So here is a fun brief queer guide on the history of men’s swimwear.
One piece bathing suits – When we first started to enter the water for fun and exercise in the early 1900s the one piece suit was worn. It was often made of wool and with nautical themes dominating the styles or prison stripes with button tops attached to long-john bottoms, not a bare chest in sight.
Small trunks (as they were called) became all the rage after the first world war, fairly revealing and still worn today on may European beaches Burt Lancaster in the 1953 film“From here to Eternity” romped in the sea in a pair of trunks.
Then along came Larger trunks in the late 20th century with a higher waistband and fuller in the leg leading to the board shorts of today, further developing into surfers shorts.
In the 1960’s revolutionary designer Rudi Gernreich showed unisex thong style swimsuits. You can still buy these today from the Tom of Finland store or on Ebay. This was the original thong that inspired the one worn by Sacha Baron Cohen as “Borat”.
Have to mention Speedos as the most famous brand world wide and also a commonly used word for the style.. The company started in 1914 but came to everyone’s attention when they made the small (budgysmuggler) for Olympic competitive swimmers. This started the Budgy Smuggler brand along with AussieBum down in Australia.
GRAHAM FRASER Queerguru’s Culture, Fashion and Arts Correspondent was once half of the award winning FASHION DESIGNER duo WORKERS FOR FREEDOM. Years spent working in the luxury end of International fashion he now lives with his partner the artist RICHARD NOTT and their two Cavapoos Albert and Raf in a stunning renovated 1950’s house on the edge of the Sussex Downs with distant sea views.
Multi-award winning filmmaker Eytan Fox is often referred to as the ‘father of Israeli queer movies’ : think Yossi and Jagger, YossiBubble (Film).
He now has a wonderful brand new film …. his first one shot in English …. and starring John Benjamin Hickey and newcomer #NivNissim. Queerguru tracked him down in Tel Aviv to talk with him about this new heart-warming romance that is perfect for these times
For her sophomore feature filmmaker RACHEL MASON turned her cameras on to her own parents to tell their unlikely tale of running the most successful Adult Book Store in West Hollywood. It was part a journey of discovery for her too as growing up with her 3 siblings in this nice middle class Jewish household, the source of her parents income was a closely guarded secret from everyone inside and outside of the family.
Now her award-winning documentary CIRCUS OF BOOKS is about to have have its debut on Netflix, so Mason talks to Queerguru about her fascinating family story. And what a really nice man Jeff Stryker is.
Easter is upon us. In lockdown time a way to cheer us up is to wear an Easter hat and share the image with your friends.
The craft of hat making has not changed in years although the way a hat is perceived has changed enormously. Post second world war every man wore a hat of some kind and then along came the sixties with an emphasis on hair and everything changed.
Philip Treacythe milliner said “ I think that while people have heads, there will always be hats” . Treacy and Stephen Jones both based in the UK are two ofthe most famous hatters in the world at the moment collaborating with major designers and couturiers. Marc Jacobs, Thom Browne, Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, Chanel, Dior, Valentino………..
Hats for men makes a long list and for some the look is perennial :- Stovepipe hat, Sombrero, Straw hat, Boater, Cap, CowBoy hat, Baseball cap, Bowlers, Top hat, Muir cap, Sailing hat, Bucket hat, Fur hat, Beret etc
The list is endless, so this Easter is time to try a new look and post on social media for us all to share you . As the saying goes ‘if you want to get ahead get a hat’.
GRAHAM FRASER Queerguru’s Culture, Fashion and Arts Correspondent was once half of the award winning FASHION DESIGNER duo WORKERS FOR FREEDOM. Years spent working in the luxury end of International fashion he now lives with his partner the artist RICHARD NOTT and their two Cavapoos Albert and Raf in a stunning renovated 1950’s house on the edge of the Sussex Downs with distant sea views.
Zabarauskas has skillfully woven together an unusual queer romance that also packs a powerful message about the plight of LGBTQ Syrian refugees stranded in Europe, and at the same gives such a positivity to the film’s queerness. It’s not only all very impressive, but throughly entertaining too.