… not Mr. Texas Leather.
Gabe Sims — whom we profiled this week on his run-up to the Chicago leatherfest, the 34th annual International Mr. Leather competition — came in 24th out of 48 contestants … a more than respectable showing. So, Sims must be disappointed. Not in the least, he told me.
“Don’t be sorry [I didn’t win,” he said. He got to meet IML founder Chuck Renslow in a “very solemn and emotional” ceremony. After what Sims felt was a successful interview and before the “pecs and personality” event, he went shopping. “A friend of mine fusses because I wear Wranglers, so I purchased some Nasty Pig jeans,” he said. Only fitting. Even though he lost, Sims calls his first IML appearance “an awesome experience. Not bad for a 55-year-old.” True, that.
Oh, and Mr. Michigan Leather Woody Woodruff took the title. Congrats to him.