Inside the—Red Hot—Tom of Finland x Apparatus Holiday Affair

While the temperature was dipping severely in Manhattan, nothing could cool the heat radiating from the Tom of Finland Foundation’s Anniversary Affair on Thursday night. Marking 41 years of mentorship, advocacy, and support for queer artists, the Foundation’s newly-appointed board joined forces with interdisciplinary design studio Apparatus—famed for its scarlet showroom—to host an evening that combined sophistication and self-expression.

Tucked away on the fourth floor of a Garment District building, the party felt like stepping into a world where drawings by the influential late Finnish artist had sprung to life—and indeed, many rare original works were actually on display. Inside Apparatus, the deep crimson walls, high-pile carpets, and plush sofas made for a perfect backdrop as guests—a large cohort of which were clad in temperature-raising black outfits—caught up while understated Euro trance music reverberated around the space.

At the center of the room, a bronze sculpture of a nude man lounged beside a gigantic black Tom of Finland boot—later revealed to be an intricately-crafted cake by Amy Yip of Yip.Studio. Sipping classic cocktails with Misguided Spirits, people drifted through the showroom and wandered down dimly-lit hallways while hanging onto each other’s every word. The bash also served to highlight a rare collaboration conceived by Apparatus’ founder and creative director Gabriel Hendifar, who had unveiled bondage-inspired wreath installations much to the delight of the crowd.

Guests came dressed either in homage to Tom’s famed drawings or as their most authentic, liberated selves. Skin-tight leather coats were plucked from Peter Do’s universe, while others opted for provocative pieces by Ludovic de Saint Sernin or sharp tailoring by Saint Laurent. Whatever the approach, these were outfits evoking fantasy—and what united the room was a shared appreciation for how Tom’s work continues to encourage pride and joy in one’s innate sensuality.

The evening also underscored the Foundation’s enduring mission to champion queer artists and safeguard work that is at risk of being lost. Through its Artist-in-Residence program, the Foundation has supported artists including Lukasz Leja and Donald Shorter Jr. “Their work is laced with humor and playfulness—like Tom’s. As artists, Lukasz and Donald challenge and evolve masculinity, exploring dominant and submissive culture in a contemporary context. I believe Tom would have been thrilled by this evolution,” chief curator Brooke Wise told Vogue. Now guided by renewed leadership—Wise, David Aldea, Robert Knox Hayes, and Nolan Feng, alongside their LA–based board members—the Foundation has set its sights on reasserting its relevance within contemporary queer culture.