All Man: The International Male Story

“All Man: The International Male Story” journeys across three decades of the catalog’s unlikely but lasting impact on fashion, masculinity, and sexuality in America. Gene Burkard, a once-closeted Midwesterner and GI, found freedom in San Diego, where he transformed men’s fashion into something cosmopolitan, carefree, and trendsetting. “International Male” reached gay and straight customers alike as it redefined images of masculinity in American culture, generating revenue and circulation in the millions. The ensuing phenomenon was something no one could have predicted.

For over three decades, the iconic catalogue transformed not only men’s fashion but also the American public’s perception of masculinity and sexuality. By turns funny, nostalgic, and surprisingly touching, “All Man” celebrates “International Male’s” lasting impact and the plucky band of men and women who fought to achieve it. Directors Bryan Darling and Jesse Finley Reed dive into the glossy pages with never-before-seen photographs and videos, engrossing interviews with former “International Male” models and employees, and appearances from Carson Kressley, Tony Ward, Drew Droege, Simon Doonan, and Jake Shears.