Magazine Ads with Animal Magnetism

Time again to pull out six more eye-widening/mouth-watering magazine ads from my archives: 

 

DE BEERS DIAMONDS

Discovered by photographer Bruce Weber, Jeff Aquilon was one of the most in demand male models in the late 1970s and '80s.  In 2007 an article in GQ commemorating the magazine's 50th anniversary discussed the close platonic friendship between its gay editor-in-chief, Jack Haber (1969-1983), and the straight Aquilon.

 

      

 

EVIAN WATER

Although swimmer Michael Phelps is sexy in a willowy way, for my taste Olympic swimmer Matt Biondi was hunkier.  He won five golds for the U.S. at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

 

  

 

MITCHELL GOLD FURNITURE

A high-end manufacturer of furniture since 1989, this North Carolina-based company changed its name to Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams a few years ago after the two were married.  Like Kenneth Cole, the company is known for its involvement in gay causes and making generous contributions to various gay charities.  And they get high praise as well for contributing this stunning ad.

 

   

 

CUTTY SARK

This brand of scotch doesn't have the advertising presence it had in the 1970s and '80s when this ad ran (my first job out of college was with the ad agency that created this work, Scali McCabe Sloves).  Even without seeing his face (after all, the focus should be on the glass of scotch!) the rolled-up sleeves and pants and the model's hairy legs make for a sexy look.

 

    

 

NATIONAL MILK PROCESSORS BOARD

Along with Absolut, the "Got Milk? ad campaign is one of the most ubiquitous of the past two decades.  Thousands of "Milk Moustache" executions have been created since the print campaign began in 1995. (The TV campaign proceeded it by a few years.)  This one features tennis superstar Pete Sampras.  Three cheers to the art director who thought it a good idea to show off Pete's hairy chest.  (The book The Milk Moustache Book provides a history of the campaign and is illustrated with hundreds of ads.)

 

  

 

BEYOND.COM

I honestly don't know what product or service is being sold here - but no matter.  The military-style haircuts, white boxers, the lean builds and smooth chests, the shoes and socks - it all works.  Even the doctor is kinda hot.