the magazine

Magazine’s ‘Sexy Issue’ Returns with Spilt Covers Inspired by Provocative ’90s Imagery

Magazine’s ‘Sexy Issue’ Returns with Spilt Covers Inspired by Provocative ’90s Imagery

ONE OF HOUSTON'S steamiest summer traditions is returning this week. Houston CityBook magazine's annual "Sexy Issue" is coming back after a year's hiatus in 2020 due to Covid.

"This issue is a celebration of Houston leaving Covid-19 behind and charging into the city's hottest season, literally and figuratively," says Editor-in-Chief Jeff Gremillion. "We know our readers enjoy the Sexy Issue, and we couldn't be happier to revive it for 2021."

The envelope-pushing issue — which historically highlights men's and women's swimwear, underwear and lingerie in its fashion pages — is making its fourth annual appearance, this time boasting different covers for newsstand readers and home subscribers. CityBook asked photographer Steve Visneau to create the minimal black-and-white cover shots, with inspiration from Bruce Weber imagery from the '90s and early 2000s, the famed lensman's Abercrombie & Fitch era.

Covers and inside fashion images for the special issue were overseen by CityBook Creative Director Patrick Magee, with styling by Todd Ramos, who mixed pre-fall looks from the likes of Christian Dior and Michael Kors into the wardrobe, along with barely-there swim styles and delicates. Edward Sanchez provided hair and makeup. The brand-new Heights House hotel, a colorful and funky redo of an old freeway motor motel in the Heights, was selected as the location.

"The inspiration for this shoot was LIFE!," says Magee. "We wanted to capture happy people in the warm summer light, a feeling we all haven't felt in awhile."

From Your Site Articles
People + Places
promoted

What’s the Secret to Biz Success? ‘Show Up with Kindness,’ Says Bianca Bucaram

What’s the Secret to Biz Success? ‘Show Up with Kindness,’ Says Bianca Bucaram

How did you get to where you are today? Passion, persistence, and faith, and a little bit of luck. I graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Political Science and Spanish, on the track to be pre-med. Little did I know that a journey to help my younger sister would set my course to sail in PR. I had no background in communication, except my raw talent, and was fortunate enough to have a family member who needed her story to be told! I was helping tell my younger sister (one of the most recognized influencers in the online vegan community) @fullyrawkristina’s story, and it all blossomed from there.

Keep Reading Show less
parties

Healthcare Org Toasts to 30 Years of 'Making a Difference' in East End

Daniel Ortiz

Cyndy Garza Roberts, Stephanie Ramos, Michele Leal Farah, Vicky Dominguez and Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman

WITH A GOAL of ensuring access to quality healthcare for underserved families in Houston’s East End, El Centro de Corazón has been making a difference for 30 years. Its annual Making a Difference luncheon, this year chaired by Vicky Dominguez with honorary chairs Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman and Leila Perrin, raised more than $150,000.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties
music

This Weekend: Axiom Quartet Plays Contemporary-Classical Concert in the Heights — and Doesn't Play It Safe

ONE CANNOT ACCUSE Houston’s Axiom Quartet of playing it safe. When it comes to exploring the outer limits of string quartet repertoire, engaging audiences who don’t normally attend classical music concerts, and putting in the collective time necessary to nail the gnarly idiosyncrasies of 20th- and 21st-century composers, Axiom continues to walk the walk as they talk the talk.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment