Happy Hour x Tom of Finland Skateboard Decks

9th April 2017, 1:47 pm

The collaboration aims to support diversity in skateboarding.

Although the work of Tom of Finland has been featured on numerous items of merchandise over the years, the homoerotic drawings will now be available for a new market. Teaming up with Helsinki-based Happy Hour Skateboards, three pieces will be featured on a new line of skateboard decks.

“When you travel the world and meet skateboarders you soon realize the two Finns people know are skateboarder Arto Saari and Tom of Finland,” said Happy Hour founder and owner, Jarkko Poropudas. “This collaboration is our tribute to a legendary artist. In addition to the bigger picture of gay rights, we want to do our part in supporting diversity within skateboarding.”

Poropudas met Durk Dehner, president of the Tom of Finland Foundation, at the Helsinki Mr. Leather contest in August, 2016. After a beer, they decided to collaborate.

The collaboration aims to support diversity in skateboarding, a sport that has long been perceived as masculine with little tolerance for other sexual orientations. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Tom of Finland Foundation.

 

By Glenn Garner

Published: 9th April 2017

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