WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.-A lithe Latino wearing only in tighty-whities, zipping across a secluded stretch of Melrose Avenue, an L.A. shopping drag, balancing a silver tray of cocktail weenies and gherkins signaled that this was the place-or that these were the places.
The June 26 launch of The Big Penis Book from Taschen Books took place across two locations in a high-end, village-like stretch of Melrose: Coco de Mer, the luxury erotica boutique, and Alpha, a store specializing in "gear for gents." It seemed everyone who loves an endowed man was there.
Notable guests were Dian Hanson, Taschen's sexy book editor, cover model Chad Hunt, photographers Charles Hovland of Chuckpixxx, Hal Roth of Filmco, David Hurles of Old Reliable, and cover photographer Ed Fox. Hanson, Hunt, and others skirted between locations, signing books at either end. The kink contingent also made an appearance. Marina St. Mark, an L.A. fetish model, turned up with photographer Eric Charles and friend.
Dressed to kill and dressed to chill, the crowd was en force with male appreciation, leaving the odd (as in odd few out) straight man flying solo bold as wearing white in winter. Women in psychadelic print dresses, and pencil skirt blouse combos and men in argyle vests and casual suits congregated around the library, flipping through Coco's excellent selection of erotic books, including a pillow book from London-based Erotic Review Books (formerly the Erotic Print Society) compiled by Charlie Webb. In the back garden, happy customers paged through The Big Penis Book and mingled amongst the palms, many toting Coco de Mer bags with goodies purchased at a 20-percent discount.
Contrasting the romantic opulence of Coco de Mer, the sleekly masculine Alpha shop was where the party seemed to move. By the time I had finished crowding among the dapper men spritz-testing the colognes on display and opening ogling a delightful crocodile tote, a long line snaked down the block with happy campers waiting to join this party, avec often-pink cocktails.
Back at Coco de Mer, the lithe Latino, more slender and petite than other bearers of hors d'oeuvres and eye candy, lamented to a female friend that he felt a little out of place with amongst the studs. But as The Big Penis Book shows, they come on all shapes and sizes-with a little something for everyone-and sometimes, all you want is a little something.
For more information about The Big Penis from Taschen Books email: [email protected].
