The Sensual and Rebellious Power of CDLP’s Tom of Finland Collaboration

TOM OF FINLAND, Untitled, 1986, Graphite on paper. ©️1986 Tom of Finland Foundation

We’ve become all too familiar with the feeling of getting dressed up with nowhere to go. Though we’ve found multiple ways to show off our meticulously crafted fits—Tik Tok, Instagram, Zoom, Twitch?—what happens when we’re feeling lonely, flirty, and kinky? Enter CDLP’s partnership with Tom of Finland Foundation, a two-piece collection in honor of the Tom of Finland centennial celebration. The Los Angeles-based foundation has dedicated its existence to preserving and celebrating Finland’s approach to homosexual male beauty and self-love, and by effect continuing his fight against archaic discrimination and sexual oppression. All of that energy is packaged into a simply sensual white tank top and sleek but hot jockstrap, and both pieces are direct tributes to the monochromatic illustrations created by the artist.

TOM OF FINLAND, Untitled, 1961, Graphite on paper. ©️1961 Tom of Finland Foundation.

CDLP’s creative director Christian Larson brought to life the two garments frequently featured in Finland’s art, taking inspiration from two untitled pieces, one from 1961 and one from 1986. The tank top and jockstrap, aside from delivering CDLP’s luxe and sexy comfort, capture the sensuous and erotic ethos of Tom of Finland’s art, making the body and soul feel sexy, sexual, and loved all at once. Not to mention the packaging, which features a glory hole-like sleeve to reveal a box lined with some of Tom’s most homosexual and erotic artwork. As we bid adieu to 2020, I’m into manifesting Tom’s rebellious and prolific energy to end the year with a bang, and a few thirst traps.