Hot American contestants swept all the top titles at the 34th International Mr Leather (IML) competition. US leather lover, Woody Woodruff (centre) better known as Mr Michigan Leather, has taken out the 2012 IML title which was awarded Sunday night in Chicago, taking the top sash from last year’s title holder Eric Gutierrez (Mr. European Leather).

Mr Eagle Leather New York, A.C. Demidont achieved first runner up, and Mr Washington DC Eagle, Kevin Jordan was second runner up.

Oregon’s Nick Elliot won the 2011 International Mr Bootblack title for his Bootblack service efforts over the IML competition weekend.

53 contestants from around the world competed over three days for the big title, including two Australians. The Aussie contestants included Melbourne’s Mr Laird Leather Luke Moon, Mr Sydney Leather Richard Savvy . Unfortunately none of the Australian contestants managed top titles, however Richard saavy did place in the top 20 of this years IML.

Luke Moon (Mr Laird Leather 2011) pictured left, and Richard Saavy (Mr Sydney Leather) pictured right.

Luke Moon during his ‘Pecs and Personality’ presentation
Photos by Sean Knight

Richard Saavy (Mr Sydney Leather) chuffed after placing in the top 20

Australia has had only one IML winner in the history of the competition. Sydney’s Patrick Brookes won IML back in 1980. The Brookes Trust was launched in 2010 in honour of that win, and the trust now helps Mr Leather ANZ title holders foster the leather community in our region.

International Mr Leather 1980 – Patrick Brookes from Australia

The IML competition began in 1979 when about 400 gay leather men gathered in Chicago, and has now grown into an iconic annual international event that attracts thousands of visitors to Chicago from all around the world during its Memorial Day weekend. Last year’s event attracted over 15,000 people ranging from the experienced and hardcore leather fans to the new and curious.

Check out photos from the 2012 IML Victory party from Chicago Go Pride below.