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Helsinki, Tom of Finland Style

We explore everything from the artist's favorite restaurant to after hour cruising spots.

Few artists have had as big an impact on gay culture as Touko Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland. Not only was he prolific (Tom of Finland created somewhere near 3,500 illustrations in his 40 year career), but the hyper-sexualized, masculine men featured in his work are nothing short of iconic. And, despite the fact he mainly produced queer, pornographic imagery, Tom of Finland currently enjoys something of a cult status in his native country and his brand has expanded to include everything from bed sheets to bottled wine.

To see where everything began, we followed Terry Miller, full-time hunk and official ambassador of the Tom of Finland store, around Helsinki as he hits up some of his favorite spots this year for Pride:

Photo by Mikko Rasila

Terry: "Felt so good to wake up in my Tom of Finland suite at Hotel Klaus K, decked out in Tom of Finland bath towels, sheets, decorative pillows and even wine. Made me feel right at home.” Sheets by Tom of Finland x Finlayson and woven pillow by Aurora Decorari.

Photo by Mikko Rasila

"Starting the day off with heat at the gay-friendly Löyly Sauna with ample room for relaxation in the stunningly designed complex including an incredible restaurant and bar for food and libations.” Towel by Tom of Finland x Finlayson, available in October.

Photo by Mikko Rasila

"It wouldn’t be a truly Finnish experience without jumping naked into the Baltic Sea right off the deck of Löyly Sauna. The water was a chilling 50°F, perfect for a post-sauna refresh."Towel and tote bag by Tom of Finland x Finlayson, available in October.

Photo by Mikko Rasila

"A truly Finnish flavor experience you don’t find anywhere else, salted licorice ice cream. Amazing salty sweet flavor with small chunks of black licorice throughout. In Finland this flavor, which leaves your tongue black, is called Salmiak." Tom of Finland T-shirt.

Photo by Mikko Rasila

"Celebrate Gay Pride in Helsinki at the inner city harbor, in front of a City Hall which is decked out in full Pride regalia.” Tom of Finland T-shirt.

Photo by Mikko Rasila

"A cruising spot made famous by its inclusion in the Tom of Finland movie, released in 2017. The cobblestone road leads from the Helsinki Observatory to town, bracketed by large trees and shady areas perfect for spotting your new Finnish boyfriend.” Tom of Finland tank top.

Photo by Mikko Rasila

"Dinner at Seahorse restaurant is an absolute must for any Tom of Finland fan. His nearly daily meals were taken at the back of this gorgeous traditional Finnish eatery. The gin and tonic is the national drink of Finland, and Tom’s go-to quencher, made with a sprig of rosemary and the addition of little cranberries, the traditional way.” Jewelry by Jonathan Johnson x Tom of Finland.

Photo by Mikko Rasila

"Around the corner from Seahorse is the apartment where Tom and his longtime companion, Veli, lived in Helsinki. We passed it on the Tom of Finland Experience tour of Helsinki, which takes you by some important landmarks in the life of the artist." Jewelry by Jonathan Johnson x Tom of Finland.

Photo by Mikko Rasila

"Striking a solid Leatherman pose, Daddy is ready to go boy hunting at DTM (Don’t Tell Mama), Helsinki’s premier LGBTQ disco/bar. Full of ambiance and lots of eager women and men ready to socialize during Pride weekend." Jewelry by Jonathan Johnson x Tom of Finland.

Photo by Mikko Rasila

"Ending the evening with a cruise through the XXX video cabins at Keltainen Russu—downtown Helsinki’s best adult shop—which has a labyrinth of newly renovated dark and seedy video cabins for late night entertainment."

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