Tom of Finland Erotic Art Showcase Comes to Pleasure Chest L.A.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.—XR Brands and The Pleasure Chest have teamed with the Tom of Finland Foundation to host a special showcase dedicated to the historic erotic artist and the sex toy line launched in his honor. On Nov. 12 from 7-10 p.m., fans from around the world are invited to an interactive and provocative discussion with the Foundation’s Durk Dehner and S.R. Sharp, and a night filled with complementary drinks and sexy extras in honor of Tom of Finland’s iconic work. The night will start with beer, wine and appetizers passed around by models dressed in tribute to Tom of Finland’s beloved Leathermen, followed by an engaging conversation with the Tom of Finland, which serves as a living archive that fosters erotic arts around the world. Dehner and Sharp will describe the intricate process of bringing Tom of Finland’s historic erotic imagery to life in the form of Tom of Finland Pleasure Tools, a product line crafted by the XR Brands design team. And once attendees’ minds are filled with titillating Tom tales, all are encouraged to wander the intimate displays and get up close and personal in the Tom of Finland Spanking Booth—and photography is encouraged. “With a recent exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the release of a Finnish stamp bearing his illustrations, and a feature-length biopic slated for release, Tuoko Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland, is internationally recognized as a historically relevant artist and important gay icon,” XR Brands Director of Marketing Rebecca Weinberg said. “It was only natural to host a special showcase of Tom of Finland Pleasure Tools with the Tom of Finland Foundation by our side. It’s been an amazing journey and we look forward to celebrating the work and life of such an important figure while giving fans a first-hand look at the complete collection of Tom of Finland Pleasure Tools.” From design to packaging, every element of the Tom of Finland Pleasure Tools line was made to reflect the artist’s aesthetic while giving fans tangible pieces of erotic art. Like Tom of Finland’s illustrations, the products and their packaging are playful and cheeky while maintaining the artist’s hyper-masculine and artistic look with its packaging, sales tools, and merchandising displays. Most notable from the line is a hand-sculpted rendition of Kake’s Cock, one of the biggest penises that Tom of Finland ever penciled, available as a collector’s piece that fans can enjoy as an interactive piece of erotic art. This famous shape has been transformed into a physical object of pleasure and is packaged with a copy of the famous Tom of Finland illustration from which it was sculpted. Other accessories in the Tom of Finland Pleasure Tools collection include branded dog tags and locks, which fans can wear or display on their gym bags, making this product line a celebration of community as well as an opportunity for pleasure. The Tom of Finland Pleasure Tools Showcase will be held Nov. 12 from 7-10 p.m. at the Pleasure Chest, located at 7733 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, Calif. For media inquiries and press passes, please contact anne@hoddermedia.com. To view the full Tom of Finland Pleasure Tools Collection, please visit xrbrands.com/.