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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Strangercrombie: A Disclaimer

Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Dec 3 at 12:16 PM

Our annual gift auction went live about 10 minutes ago, and the issue with the catalog isn't even on the streets yet. But I wanted to get out in front of the annual scandal over the male models. Here are this year's Strangercrombie boys:

crombieboys.jpg

Ahem: I did not recruit this year's Strangercrombie models. I did not participate in any way in this year's photo shoot. The first time I laid eyes on this year's Strangercrombie models was after the issue—which I did not edit—was ready to go the printers. Don't get me wrong: I approve of the Strangercrombie models. But folks that are unhappy with the male Strangercrombie models—nearly hairless boys again?—should direct their anger at the staffers responsible for recruiting and shooting this year's models.

Finally, the underwear worn by this year's male Strangercrombie models—unwashed—can be bid on here.

Comments (60) RSS

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1 Generic user icon

I thought Ebay prohibited auctions of unwashed underwear.

Posted by Fnarf on December 3, 2008 at 12:38 PM
2 Generic user icon

Ummm, EW?! Do those boys eat? They look like they'd get blown away in a stiff breeze (and no, that's not a euphemism). How about finding MEN that have actually reached puberty as models?

Posted by Scott on December 3, 2008 at 12:39 PM
3 Generic user icon

Yes, Ebay prohibits auctions of used underwear, clean or dirty, and unwashed clothing of any type. Problem.

Posted by Fnarf on December 3, 2008 at 12:40 PM
4 Generic user icon

Jonah picked them, didn't he?

Posted by Dave on December 3, 2008 at 12:45 PM
5 Generic user icon

Yuck. Is this Frizzelle's doing...?

Because anyone who hangs out at the Cuff should know better.

Posted by mojo mojito on December 3, 2008 at 12:49 PM
6 Generic user icon

What? No shipping? Local pick up only? Can I at least send you a prepaid shipping envelope?

Posted by marcus on December 3, 2008 at 12:52 PM
7 Generic user icon

Why would staff set aside their own taste in favor of the boss's? It's unprecedented, really.

That aside, the fella on the left has the same lipstick strategy as my Aunt Agatha.

Posted by tomasyalba on December 3, 2008 at 12:52 PM
8 Generic user icon

I'm happy if it matters. I think they are adorable.

Posted by Vince on December 3, 2008 at 12:57 PM
9 Generic user icon

These guys aren't "models", they're people we spotted in Seattle who were willing to do these photos, for FREE, for the charity.

They're both well past the age of puberty, and though you can't tell in some of the photos, one of them is over six feet tall. Neither would blow away in the wind, I can assure you.

Lastly, might I add, they're humans. Real human beings! Think about that as you cut them to shreds with your mean and cunty comments based on their physical attributes.

This goes for the two girls that'll be soon be popping up in photos too. I checked. They're also both humans.

Posted by KELLY O on December 3, 2008 at 1:01 PM
10 Generic user icon

If you guys want to see real men, bid on the Men of Slog calendar. Joh is wearing nothing but bacon.

Posted by Aislinn on December 3, 2008 at 1:05 PM
11 Generic user icon

Getting your sexy picture in the ad-stuffed paper is the ultimate selfless act.

Posted by tomasyalba on December 3, 2008 at 1:07 PM
12 Generic user icon

Like that test in Blade Runner? The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over, but it can't. Not without your help. But you're not helping... I mean you're not helping! Why is that?

I bet some of them didn't pass. I bet you had to blast them. And it was fucking cool.

Posted by elenchos on December 3, 2008 at 1:09 PM
13 Generic user icon

I think they're hot. But then I've always had similar tastes as Dan.

Posted by Reverse Polarity on December 3, 2008 at 1:10 PM
14 Generic user icon

Why are you displacing blame without identifying those who chose?

just who are "the staffers responsible for recruiting and shooting this year's models"??????????

Posted by Non on December 3, 2008 at 1:12 PM
15 Generic user icon

I donated my underpants, but they said they smelled rancid so they didn't auction them off.

Posted by Joh on December 3, 2008 at 1:13 PM
16 Generic user icon

Well, they are adorable and should be thanked for their service to Strangercrombie.

Posted by marcus on December 3, 2008 at 1:14 PM
17 Generic user icon

for "CUNTY" comments - do you need a cunt?

Kelly 0, you all need to let the queens, old and young sort it out -- we ALWAYS do with little inference from mamas or sisters

by the way, unwashed underwear for the females at the Stranger might sell well at the front office - tons of horn dog straights would pay a lot - remember charity is the goal

Posted by Queene for the day on December 3, 2008 at 1:14 PM
18 Generic user icon

Joh is indeed ultra-hot in bacon. And I'm wearing even less.

Posted by Fnarf on December 3, 2008 at 1:14 PM
19 Generic user icon

@9 Sensitive much?

For two years in a row, we get waify and hairless male models, only. I'm sure that, had you looked for maybe 10 more minutes, you would have found somebody who had a bit more meat to them. But, instead, you or whoever the fuck picked out the models went with what YOUR assessment of attractiveness is, which seems to be heroin chic.

And, now you're getting all offended because the models (and, they are models for this shoot), who fit the look that was complained about last year, are getting the same remarks as last year. What you're REALLY getting offended about is that YOUR taste in physical attraction isn't the same as other people's. So, FUCK YOU for not getting diversity. There isn't a black guy in this photo. No Asian, no Hispanic. Its two thin white guys who fit the heroin punk chic that was oh so hip in the 80s, and again in the early naughts.

Get some color in these photos. Get some weight in these photos. And don't fucking bitch about our fucking comments.

Posted by TheMisanthrope on December 3, 2008 at 1:15 PM
20 Generic user icon

Yeah Kelly O, you were just at the Eagle a few weeks ago- maybe you could have scouted for models there...

Posted by mojo mojito on December 3, 2008 at 1:22 PM
21 Generic user icon

This is a paper for gay stereotypes, not gay men.

Dan you are a hypocrite to the Nth degree.

Posted by Non on December 3, 2008 at 1:23 PM
22 Generic user icon

@19: Uh, whoa. It's a stupid photo shoot. For charity. No need to take it personally.

That said, Hernandez is in the Slog calendar! Hooray for racial diversity! (Please ignore the fact that he was cast as the Creepy Youth Pastor. That has everything to do with him being a good sport, and nothing to do with his heritage).

Posted by Aislinn on December 3, 2008 at 1:32 PM
23 Generic user icon

Buttsex NOW!!!!

Posted by Buttsex NOW on December 3, 2008 at 1:33 PM
24 Generic user icon

I thought that ripping real human beings to shreds with cunty comments was one of the unspoken commandments of Slog.

Posted by Hernandez on December 3, 2008 at 1:34 PM
25 Generic user icon

Whatever, I'd hit it. Both of them.

Posted by sexy snowflakes on December 3, 2008 at 1:35 PM
26 Generic user icon

There's nothing wrong with these delightful young men, (though, they're not my cup of tea), but it's just a big bore that The Stranger staff can't come up with something more original than the usual skinny, hipster models...how about sexy beefy models, or drag queens, or soccer moms or DILFS and MILFS?

or Sloggers for that matter...people would go nuts to see Mr Poe and Fnarf modeling in the paper...

or do I mean rioting?

Posted by michael strangeways on December 3, 2008 at 1:35 PM
27 Generic user icon

@26: That's why their modeling is limited to the Men of Slog calendar-- the world couldn't handle the riots that would break out upon viewing such awesomeness.

Posted by Jessica on December 3, 2008 at 1:39 PM
28 Generic user icon

@26: buy the calendar, they're modeling there.

Posted by Abby on December 3, 2008 at 1:40 PM
29 Generic user icon

I'd bid on the Men of Slog calendar if it didn't make me feel creepy. I want to see a guy wearing nothing but bacon.

Posted by Leslie N. on December 3, 2008 at 1:42 PM
30 Generic user icon

Bish, please. I'm sure the models got enough validation for their egos when they were asked to model in the first place- We here on Slog are only doing them a service by keeping the ego in check... lest they go all Naomi Campbell and start throwing cellphones.

Posted by UNPAID COMMENTER on December 3, 2008 at 1:46 PM
31 Generic user icon

There was an african american woman in one of the recent strangercrombie posts -- in a patriotic outfit, if I recall. So... that's some diversity, anyways.

By the way. Damn. Lara in a bacon bikini. Yowza.

Posted by Julie in Chicago on December 3, 2008 at 1:46 PM
32 Generic user icon

What we need is to get back to the original intent: really hot, and probably kind of stupid, athletic men. It's called "Strangercrombie" for a reason, so let's bring back them A&F meatheads.

Posted by another Andy on December 3, 2008 at 1:50 PM
33 Generic user icon

@31,

The women are frequently diverse. Not just in terms of race, but in terms of body type and variations of attractiveness. The men are almost never diverse. Not only are they always white, they are almost always boyish. We haven't had a non-twink Strangercrombie male model for at least two years.

Kelly O, next year, scope out the Capitol Hill Trader Joe's. At least half the male employees there will easily satisfy the Slog peanut gallery, unless there really is an unspoken rule that all male models satisfy Dan's standards.

Posted by keshmeshi on December 3, 2008 at 2:15 PM
34 Generic user icon

Celebrate DIVERSHITTY!

Posted by Divershitty is Awesome! on December 3, 2008 at 2:21 PM
35 Generic user icon

@29 Lara has been known to rent me out for the right price. Classy events only.

Posted by Joh on December 3, 2008 at 2:53 PM
36 Generic user icon

aaaand more young gay bois compliments of dan savage, our fearless leader.....

Posted by commentz on December 3, 2008 at 3:08 PM
37 Generic user icon

Maybe The Stranger has these young hairless models to serve as a slap in the face to those that don't like that look? A sort of "Fuck You, we want young gay-ish hairless men and thin, willow chicks to read The Stranger. All others Fuck off". That's the message I'm getting here.

Posted by Sargon Bighorn on December 3, 2008 at 3:28 PM
38 Generic user icon

The longer in the tooth Savage gets, the sillier this exercise becomes. Then, eventually, it will just be creepy.

Posted by Waldo on December 3, 2008 at 3:37 PM
39 Generic user icon

is they mormons ?

Posted by reverend dr dj riz on December 3, 2008 at 3:40 PM
40 Generic user icon

you can blame it on me.
i shot the photos, and i'm a dyke who likes girls who look like teenage boys. too bad for you, i think savage and i have the same taste :P

but seriously, realize that the choice of models is based on the opinions of multiple people, finding willing folks who's schedules worked with the timing of the 10 hour shoot, and arranging all this while figuring out props/concepts/ shopping for costumes within a tight newspaper deadline.

i'm sure that won't stop you from bitching, but as kelly said, these are human beings you're being so mean about, and they are friends of mine and friends of friends who are doing this for free. show some manners.

Posted by shena lee on December 3, 2008 at 3:42 PM
41 Generic user icon

@37
have you seen the female models? i wouldn't describe them as "thin, willow chicks"

Posted by shena lee on December 3, 2008 at 3:44 PM
42 Generic user icon

@36, @38 -- If you would read the item, you would see that Savage had nothing whatever to with selecting the models.

Posted by Fnarf on December 3, 2008 at 3:50 PM
43 Generic user icon

They appear extremely charming, and very easy on the eyes. Which is about all you can say of a model at first glance.

Posted by NapoleonXIV on December 3, 2008 at 3:50 PM
44 Generic user icon

I don't have a problem with the models. I'm just bitter no one took me up on my offer to host a champagne fountain party.

Posted by Catalina Vel-DuRay on December 3, 2008 at 3:52 PM
45 Generic user icon

@19 Way to read into the comments. Kudos to your insight. *sigh*

@40 Way to have diversity among your friends. Kudos to the multicultural rainbow of relations you must have. Your life must be one big Bennetton ad.

Posted by TheMisanthrope on December 3, 2008 at 3:52 PM
46 Generic user icon

Yum. How do we get more pics of these boys?

Posted by renbot on December 3, 2008 at 3:54 PM
47 Generic user icon

They are adorable really. Just my taste actually and I see no reason to pretend it isn't.

I'm with 46 where can we get more pictures, or order the calender?

Posted by Paul on December 3, 2008 at 4:09 PM
48 Generic user icon

I must heartily speak up in favor of putting more pictures of nearly hairless boys on all parts of The Stranger more often. This will make Jen Graves's articles less depressing, Mudede's philosophical ramblings more readable, and if they act out the things being described in Savage Love's letters, make Dan Savage that much more informative.

Posted by Gitai on December 3, 2008 at 4:34 PM
49 Generic user icon

@42: Come now, that was obviously a lie that's part of a greater Savage conspiracy to um... you know... something.

Posted by Darcy on December 3, 2008 at 4:36 PM
50 Generic user icon

God, this makes me happy I left Seattle.

Posted by UChicago on December 3, 2008 at 4:40 PM
51 Generic user icon

The gun-totin' cover model on the newsstands is smokin' hot!

Posted by Explorer on December 3, 2008 at 5:01 PM
52 Generic user icon

THE LACK OF PEOPLE OF COLOR IS INFURIATING! I CALL FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE STRANGER AND ALL SLOG ACTIVIES AS WELL AS A CITYWIDE STRIKE AND DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH MUMMIA!

MEET AT THE FEDERAL BUILDING FOR A MARCH TO THE STRANGER OFFICE AT 9AM TOMORROW!!!

Posted by RACIST WATCH on December 3, 2008 at 5:07 PM
53 Generic user icon

I think they're both beautiful.

Posted by Batman on December 3, 2008 at 5:07 PM
54 Generic user icon

Dan- I can't believe you do this auction via Ebay! Meg Whitman donated money in favor of Prop 8 and was a major donor to the campaigns of Mitt Romney and John McCain.

Posted by Kevin on December 3, 2008 at 5:24 PM
55 Generic user icon

@7 and other naysayers of the models.

I am childhood friends with the left one and he was infact wearing chapstick. His lips happen to be naturally red. He also happens to possess amazing eyes and particularly fabulous eyelashes. He's also very charitible with his time and happens to be compassionate to a fault. So I hope I have suffiently wagged a shaming finger at you.

So fuck off, he's not a model but should and/or will be and this certainly will be a good step in that direction for him and he certainly can use it.

I would personally like to thank those responsible for the choice.

Posted by wigmore on December 3, 2008 at 7:55 PM
56 Generic user icon

I know one of the models. He's a delightful human being and looks much less waifish in real life.

Having said that: @40: I'm guessing you also like boys who look like teenage girls? This fetishization of youth and abnormal (i.e. non-normative, difficult to achieve) body types does a lot to explain the "Hot and Safe" article, and why "young, white, middle-class men are considered much more sexually desirable than men who are racial minorities, over 40 and poor."

It's sad to have gays, lesbians and liberals reiterating the same painful, damaging images foisted on women for years.

Posted by Jigae on December 3, 2008 at 10:00 PM
57 Generic user icon

@50: God, this makes me miss Seattle something terrible.

Posted by SAIChicago on December 3, 2008 at 10:34 PM
58 Generic user icon

it's so cute how so many commenters think that a local for-profit newspaper owes them a vote in which models they select for their charity fundraiser.

Posted by josh on December 4, 2008 at 8:46 AM
59 Generic user icon

@58 Hah! how very true.

Posted by wigmore on December 4, 2008 at 8:55 AM
60 Generic user icon

"these are human beings you're being so mean about..show some manners."

for real. can we go back to talking about how awful black people are now?

Posted by ekz on December 4, 2008 at 11:54 PM

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