GQ Features Flattering Flexibility Of Olympic Gymnasts

GQ offers a selection of designer tank tops in its July 2012 issue, modeled by six U.S. Olympics gymnast hopefuls heading to the 2012 London games.

Our flexible selection of boyz includes Arizona's Alex Naddour, Houston's Chris Brooks & Jonathan Horton (do they really grow them bigger in Texas?), Port Jefferson, N.Y.'s Steven Legendre, Jersey's Brandon Wynn and our fave, swarthy Cuban-American Danell Leyva, 22, from Miami.

I always say, if you gotta watch sports, it oughta be men's gymnastics or swimming. Ooh la la! *

Fashion: Calvin Klein 30 Years Later, Still Pushing Buttons

It's been almost 30 years since a bold and beautiful 1983 Times Square ad featuring Olympic athlete Tom Hintnaus posing in his Calvin Kleins... which revolutionized the advertising industry, if not the Klein signature. For the first time, men were allowed to be as sexy—and sexually overt—as women in print adverts, thanks to what was then considered a risque visual from Bruce Weber.

Today, thankfully, men are regularly objectified in underwear ads (praise god!), with celebrities from Mark Wahlberg to David Beckham and Mario Lopez happily strutting around in next to nothing. As with most trends in fashion, the entire undercurrent began in the what was then the gay-subculture. Both Klein and Weber are gay and had a vision, which they swiped straight from the pages of the Undergear and International Male catalogs, which were celebrating the male form long before it was splashed across a New York City billboard.

Things aren't so different today. Within the past five years, undies makers like 2(x)ist,Andrew Christian and Aussie Bum have made their fortunes marketing to the gay market boldly saying, at last, what everybody had always been thinking... "We're designing underbritches to lift and push." In a word: the package became mainstream.

Now, in 2012, Calvin Klein is introducing us to a new breed of strapping bucks wearing nothing but their Calvins—and bearing all for the world to see. Their latest breakout model is Matthew Terry, a Pennsylvania native who is the face... and crotch... of its new "Bold" line. Indeed. He is now gracing magazine covers, fashion spreads and gaining fame, all because he has such a... pronounced physique. Bring it on, baby. And let the men continue to have their day in the spotlight. *

James Franco Suits Up Pretty For Gucci's Made To Measure

James Franco sure scrubs up nice & handsome for his ongoing Gucci Made to Measure ad campaign, which launched last fall. The 33-year-old actor posed for French photographer Nathaniel Goldberg in Rome for the shoot, which features James in a film studio donning classic elegance. Indeed. *

'GQ' Offers Three April 2012 Covers: A Trio Of Snores

GQ's first-ever "Style" issue for April 2012 features a tri-fold of covers, featuring three men in handsome suits... which I lasbhwdkh... oops, so sorry, I dozed off there for a minute. Is this really the best they can do: Cute as pie, albeit wholly unproven Dave Franco (James Franco's lil' bro) from upcoming 21 Jump Street re-do flick, over-hyped R&B artist Drake and Mad Men's John Slattery, who's starring in new indie film In Our Nature. B-level talent on a grade-A mag? Not overly impressed.

But my heavens, doesn't Dave Franco resemble James in a remarkable family way? He is awfully adorable. *

Granddaddy's Penguin Brand Goes Up$cale With Eau de Toilette

Age-old label Original Penguin has gone upscale with its debut Eau de Toilette for men, featuring name-brand model Guy Robinson leading the print campaign. I've always considered Penguin a middling brand, at best: It was introduced in 1955 by underwear peddler Munsingwear and gained renown for its upper/lower undies combo, then as originator of the golf shirt... not exactly high fashion.

Obviously, times have changed. Penguin's full line of men's, women's and kids' fashion is now sold at Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters and David Jones, as well as its own boutique stores.

Good thing, since its fragrance price tag suggests we're dealing with an upscale brand: $50 for 1.7 oz and $65 for 3.4 oz. I sure hope this stuff doesn't conjure the likes of British Sterling or Old Spice.

Model Robinson, meanwhile, had his breakout season in spring 2010 on the

Guy Robinson and Danny Schwarz for A&F, by Bruce Weber

Dolce & Gabbana runway, followed by Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ermenegildo Zegna, John Galliano, Louis Vuitton and Abercrombie & Fitch. Guy has been also featured in print ads in Numéro Homme, Robb Report and Arena and served as the face of Thomas Pink, United Colors of Benetton and Iceberg. Smells like teen spirit to me. Some of the best from Guy's portfolio below, for your viewing pleasure. *

Remember Madonna? She Covers December 2011 'Harper's Bazaar'

My love for Madonna has subsided to a breathy whisper with her uninspired musical exploits over the past decade or so, but she rejuvenates "fierce" on the December 2011 double cover of U.S. Harper's Bazaar. Madge is directing a British film, W.E., starring Abbie Cornish and Andrea Riseborough. The latter appears with her on the cover and in the spread. Photoshop aside, marvy pics.(Courtesy Madamarama)

Your Blogger Buddy Pulls A Reverse Yentl: Let It All Hang Out

When one endures a divorce, I suppose it's fairly typical that among the first plans of action is to lose 20 pounds and tidy up with a dramatic makeover. Weight? Check! I'm down 8 pounds over the past six weeks, in part because at the beginning of the end of my 10-year partnership, I simply kept throwing up out of angst. Ultimately, I decided the Karen Carpenter diet was probably not prudent for the long term. Since, I've been taking good care of myself, mandating that self pity is more constructive than self destruction.

But instead of getting a swell new haircut to feel all confident and shit, I've taken the opposite tack. While keeping my goatee trimmed, I decided to let my hair grow out, no holds barred, just to see what the hell it might look like. To the right, you see what I looked like in August, before the shit hit the fan.

As a freelance journalist, I work from home, I certainly have no interest in dating or looking pretty for the boyz... so if there were ever time to indulge the seedy side, this is it. At this point, I'm willing to admit that I pretty much look like shit. My hair is not growing out a la Ben Barnes in Dorian Gray. In fact, I more closely resemble the portrait he had locked behind closed doors.

I'm referring to this as my Big Lebowski phase... and I like it just fine, dammit. In any case, this is the longest I've let my hair grow since 1988, when it was still lusciously curly and dark and I had a thick beard that got me stopped as a potential terrorist every time I flew internationally... oh, youth, how you have betrayed me (indeed, speaking of Dorian Gray).

Fun and all, but the exercise is ultimately to remain short-lived before I become one of those salt-and-pepper losers with a ponytail. I'm heading to Virginia to see the parents over Thanksgiving week. Not for one moment do I believe my mama would let me in her house looking like this. So within the week, chop chop. But for the moment, delightful defiance.

Janet Jackson Covers Arabia's November 2011 'Harper's Bazaar'

Janet Jackson hasn't appeared on the cover of a fashion mag in a good long time. She certainly dazzles on the front of the November 2011 Arabian version of Harper's Bazaar. The photo shoot took place during her "Number Ones: Up, Close & Personal" tour at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit ahead of the Formula 1 races, which takes place the weekend of Nov. 11-13.

Jeremy Scott 2012 Fashion Line Makes It Vogue To Look Like A Douche

At last I have something to wear for the big Miniature Golf holiday Sept. 21. As New York's Fashion Week continues to upchuck only the most sensibly designed daywear, I can hardly wait to hit Kohl's and pick up Jeremy Scott's spring 2012 line. The dresser for Rihanna, Kanye West, Beyoncé and Fergie offered lots of cow prints, fringe and crotch-free trousers at his Wednesday showcase—because we all know as long as there's a designer label attached, it's okay to look like a douchebag.

Barcelona's ES Collection's Hot Fall/Winter 2011 Collection

Barcelona, Spain-based ES Collection's underwear, swimwear & sportswear makes most American athletic fashion look like your granddaddy's black stretch socks. The ES fall-winter 2011 line, with a promotional campaign shot by renowned fashion photog Joan Crisol, is dripping with sweat, oozing abs and packed to the brim with machismo.

In addition to stores in Madrid, Barcelona and Amsterdam, the ES Collection can be found at three locations in West Hollywood. Many more images, videos, catalogs and online ordering are available at their webbie.

Images courtesy of A Cause des Garcons.