Gay and proud
Books to celebrate Pride
Pride is a word we value very much at MENDO. It’s one of our eleven commandments, and it is a word that stands for much more than just what we do. In honor of Amsterdam Pride week, we wanted to shine our light on what exactly this is for us.
As we have a diverse team, with different cultural backgrounds, and different sexualities, we value and respect freedom of identity. Despite the fact that we live in a privileged city, it sadly is still not possible for everyone to completely be themselves without being disrespected. It only exclamates the importance of an event such as Pride.
To celebrate Pride, in all shapes and forms, but in this particular case the pride of gay men, we’ve selected a few titles that highlight the (gay) man in all his glory (but be sure to check out our storefront for some female representation)
![]([{"width":300,"height":402,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/mendo-book-REN_HANG_cover-300x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":670,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/mendo-book-REN_HANG_cover-500x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":700,"height":938,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/mendo-book-REN_HANG_cover-700x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":900,"height":1206,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/mendo-book-REN_HANG_cover-900x0-c-default.jpg"}])
Ren Hang
The master of shock created an even bigger shock when he ended his own life in 2017. As a homosexual man in the repressive regime of China, Hang struggled with finding a voice in his home country. Internationally, he gained popularity through Instagram resulting in a solo-exhibition at Foam and this monograph book, published by Taschen.
Shop now: € 40
' We were in the early days of a revolution that seemed inevitably headed to a more loving, playful and tolerant way of being. ’
' We were in the early days of a revolution that seemed inevitably headed to a more loving, playful and tolerant way of being. ’
![]([{"width":300,"height":352,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/mendo-book-tom-bianchi-63-e-9th-street-nyc-cover-300x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":587,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/mendo-book-tom-bianchi-63-e-9th-street-nyc-cover-500x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":700,"height":822,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/mendo-book-tom-bianchi-63-e-9th-street-nyc-cover-700x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":900,"height":1057,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/mendo-book-tom-bianchi-63-e-9th-street-nyc-cover-900x0-c-default.jpg"}])
Tom Bianchi 63 E 9th Street
Collecting cheeky polaroids from his Lower East Side apartment in Manhattan, Tom Bianchi’s 63 E 9th Street is a behind-the-screens look in the life of the New York gay scene in the seventies and eighties. “Back then we were in the early days of a revolution that seemed inevitably headed to a more loving, playful and tolerant way of being. We were innocents”, Bianchi recalls.
Shop now: € 50
A definitive ode to the black male body
![]([{"width":300,"height":313,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/mendo-book-robert-mapplethorpe-the-black-book-cover-300x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":522,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/mendo-book-robert-mapplethorpe-the-black-book-cover.jpg"},{"width":700,"height":731,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/mendo-book-robert-mapplethorpe-the-black-book-cover.jpg"},{"width":900,"height":940,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/mendo-book-robert-mapplethorpe-the-black-book-cover.jpg"}])
Robert Mapplethorpe The Black Book
Arguably one of the most famous gay subject photographers who ever lived, Robert Mapplethorpe’s book about the black male is equally iconic. First published in 1986, The Black Book presents 96 highly erotic nudes of black men in all their prowess. Either as full figures, or staged as details with fragments of their bodies, The Black Book is a definitive ode to the black male body.
Shop now: € 42.50
![]([{"width":300,"height":384,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/mendo-book-mr-ferry-van-der-nat-cover-300x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":640,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/mendo-book-mr-ferry-van-der-nat-cover-500x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":700,"height":896,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/mendo-book-mr-ferry-van-der-nat-cover-700x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":900,"height":1152,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/mendo-book-mr-ferry-van-der-nat-cover-900x0-c-default.jpg"}])
Mr. by Ferry van der Nat
Dutch Mr. Polaroid, Ferry van der Nat has been photographing male (and female) models for years using his two classic Polaroid cameras. Made by MENDO, this book collects the very best of his work with beautiful men from all over the world in an elegant way. With a foreword by Fantastic Man/Butt’s Gert Jonkers.
Shop now: € 62.50
![]([{"width":300,"height":378,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/mendo-book-vape-shop-olympia-cover-300x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":630,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/mendo-book-vape-shop-olympia-cover-500x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":700,"height":882,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/mendo-book-vape-shop-olympia-cover.jpg"},{"width":900,"height":1134,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/mendo-book-vape-shop-olympia-cover.jpg"}])
Vape Shop Olympia
Belgian photographer Peter de Potter gained worldwide fame after creating the cover for Kanye West’s 2016 album The Life of Pablo. In his personal work his tone of voice is quite different. Using the male body as one of his tools, his work consists out of a mix of photography, video, poetry, slogans and graphics into an idiosyncratic visual language.
Shop now: € 60
![]([{"width":300,"height":398,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/mendo-book-mr-hudson-explores-cover-300x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":664,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/mendo-book-mr-hudson-explores-cover-500x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":700,"height":929,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/mendo-book-mr-hudson-explores-cover-700x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":900,"height":1194,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/mendo-book-mr-hudson-explores-cover-900x0-c-default.jpg"}])
Mr. Hudson Explores
The ultimate travel guide for gay men. Mr Hudson Explores takes you all over the world with insider tips from local (gay) subcultures. It’s the first book from the renowned blog, collecting places and events that reflect the local perspective and way of life in 20 beloved city destinations.
Shop now: € 32.50
An intimate and striking series that is unique in its kind
![]([{"width":300,"height":374,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/mendo-book-pierre-debusschere-uncovered-cover-300x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":623,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/mendo-book-pierre-debusschere-uncovered-cover.jpg"},{"width":700,"height":872,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/mendo-book-pierre-debusschere-uncovered-cover.jpg"},{"width":900,"height":1121,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/mendo-book-pierre-debusschere-uncovered-cover.jpg"}])
Pierre Debusschere: Uncovered
In a limited edition edition of 750 copies, Pierre Debusschere’s Uncovered is the result of the Belgian photographer’s personal project, in which the body is used as a pictorial and emotional material. While most of his work features fashion, Uncovered focuses on the body that is only slightly dressed or painted. Creating an intimate and striking series that is unique in its kind.
Shop now: € 47.50
Continue reading
A-list of Amsterdam hotspots, and many are struggling to survive
Interview
This month, MENDO and gloobles launch a rather delightful city guide, packed with hotspots, most of which you currently cannot visit. We had a chat with gloobles' founder Stephanie van…
Picturing the Streets of Amsterdam
Meet the photographers of 'Streets of Amsterdam’
‘Streets of Amsterdam’ editor Joost Bastmeijer introduces four of the book’s contributing photographers.
Work in progress: the Pontsteiger book
A first glimpse at a new book project with local significance
An eye-catching new building rises along the banks of the IJ-river. MENDO is very proud to design and publish a book about it.
Shelf Sessions: Emilia van Lynden
Unseen Amsterdam
In our series Shelf Sessions we climb the shelves of MENDO’s friends. In this episode: Emilia van Lynden, (ex) Artistic Director of Unseen Amsterdam.
A tough lesson in human compassion
Interview with Jermain Cikic
Interview with Jermain Cikic, former MENDO employee, who created a personal and evocative documentation of a homeless shelter in Amsterdam, at the height of the COVID-19 crisis.
#SENDNUDES–An uncensored celebration
Location: Extreme Wow Suite of W Hotel Amsterdam
On Monday night, our latest publication #SENDNUDES got the celebration it deserved: a playful and sexy evening in the Extreme Wow Suite at W Hotel Amsterdam.
The second-best way to experience photography
Amsterdam Exhibitions
Even though we're blessed with a great summer in 2019, Amsterdam's museums prove that it pays to spend some days inside.
“I love it when people tell me I can’t do something”
Interview with MOAM's Martijn Nekoui
As the biggest platform in the Netherlands for talent in fashion and beyond, MOAM has exceeded many expectations and limitations. Now that we’re making a book with them, it’s time…
A brief history about (the streets of) Amsterdam
How our home base came to be
The streets of Amsterdam are full of history, that even hardcore Amsterdammers might not know about. Let us tell you a small tale about the past of our beloved home…
How we translated the world of Casper Reinders into a book
Made by MENDO
This book is unlike any other. And although there are more publishers saying that, we promise you, there’s absolutely nothing like this. Casper Reinders greatest interiors are collected in our…
A year in review
2018 draws to a close, and what a year it has been. We made 12 books, used 31 km of wrapping paper, and sent Adam Katz Sinding to sign his…
Photographer Pie Aerts on capturing beauty
Interview
After introducing Pie Aerts, it’s time for a chat about his first book ‘Tales From The Roads Less Traveled’, which is designed by MENDO (expected July 2019), the visual stories…
The silence before the silence
Quiet Amsterdam
The scenes below truly embody the times we're living in: normally-bustling places, abandoned and empty. But would you guess that all these pictures were taken in 2019, before the currently…
See Ferry van der Nat’s ‘Originals’
Exhibition at The Ravestijn Gallery Amsterdam
From the 17th of February till the 1st of April, the Ravestijn Gallery will exhibit ‘Originals’, the work of Ferry van der Nat. At Ravestijn, Van der Nat's sensual polaroids…
Winter-themed books
Brace yourselves… It’s getting colder, which means more time to crawl up with your favorite books. We’ve selected some of our favorite winter-themed titles for you. Books that will definitely…
A feel-good road trip to Tyler Mitchell
To celebrate the launch of Tyler Mitchell's ‘I Can Make You Feel Good’, MENDO drove to France to meet the photographer and have him sign books for MENDO exclusively. UPDATE:…
Alexander McQueen, the hooligan of fashion
Inside fashion houses
With the greatest names in fashion all under one roof, MENDO pretty much is the house of all houses. In the series Inside fashion houses we highlight the biggest names…
MENDO Live Sessions @ De L’Europe
Every Thursday at 2PM, MENDO's Roy and Gunifort will be coming to you live on Instagram from our new store at De L'Europe Amsterdam with an insider's take on the…
Shelf Sessions: Iebele van der Meulen
Interview
In our series Shelf Sessions, we climb the shelves of MENDO’s friends. In this episode, MENDO’s Roy chats with Iebele van der Meulen, editor-in-chief of L’HOMO and LINDA.loves, cover specialist…