A KALTBLUT exclusive. Leather has never been just a material. For generations of queer men, it was a language: desire worn on the outside, defiance you could zip up, chosen family you could recognise across a bar. “Leather Love” is a tribute to that inheritance, and its construction is the concept: every image is
physically collaged, cut, taped, stapled, and stitched, honouring the way leather culture survived
on paper, through hand-printed physique magazines, drawings passed hand to hand, and
Polaroids taped to walls, long before it reached a runway.
The series features pop artist YANN, whom KALTBLUT readers last saw in December’s “After Dark” editorial, back then, as a model, and model Ryan O’Sullivan. This time photographed by Austin Ruffer, YANN returns mid-breakout: his new single “Be My Man” is out now, and his “Shoot Bang Kill” music video, directed by Sam Reiss (Madonna, CHANEL, Mugler), has passed half a million views in a matter of weeks. The images move between charge and tenderness: two men in full leather, slow-dancing through the history that made room for them.
Photography by Austin Ruffer / Instagram @austinyourface
Featuring: Pop singer YANN / Instagram @yannhatchuel
Model Ryan O’Sullivan / Instagram @tomsboyry
Graphic design by Safira / Instagram @safiraazul
Brands used: Mr S Leather, Alexander McQueen, Roberto Cavalli, Leather Man NYC, Prowler RED, Peachy Kings, Boots & Braces
