In 1992, Madonna released Sex – a coffee table tome made in collaboration with fashion photographer Steven Meisel and Harper Bazaar’s Fabien Baron. Diving into themes like homophobia, the AIDS crisis, and female desire within its metallic, condom-sealed wrapping, the book sold over 1.5 million copies and remains one of the most in-demand out-of-print publications of all time due to its erotic imagery and cultural impact.
Now, 31 years later, London-based multidisciplinary studio Sort set out to reimagine the book to represent 2023’s queer culture, as part of its fifth zine edition: The Sort Sex Book. With the original Sex book depicting Madonna in sensual black-and-white, and wrapped up with 90s legends including Isabella Rosellini and Naomi Campbell, this time around drag artist and musician Bimini Bon Boulash takes the place of Madonna, as joined by an all-queer cast of models.
Launching in November, the book explores queer communities in 2023 – spotlighting the UK’s leading underground queer DJs, including Scottish-born rising artist Taahliah, an editorial reimagining otherworldly beings in a twisted, dystopian world where sex and religion clash, and a 00s skater-inspired story depicting highly-charged suburban sexual tensions.
Expanding on its eroticism, the book comes with metallic covers cut open with a glory hole matching the size of the average erect penis circumference. And just as Madonna’s Sex book came with a copy of her “Erotica” single, The Sort Sex Book’s special edition will come with a SORT SEX thong – an updated homage to Madonna’s culture-defining collectible, designed in collaboration with jewellery studio CC-Steding and designer Emilia Lunney.
Besides celebrating the book’s announcement by throwing a sex-party themed pre-launch party in Hackney, Sort Zine has launched a new underwear campaign featuring an all-queer line-up of lingerie brands, photographers, and talent [obvs]. As we await the book’s launch, check out the campaign imagery in the gallery above.
Pre-order The Sort Sex Book ahead of its November launch here.
