If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you crossed vintage gay erotica with a cigar-smoking ginger lounging next to a pile of Oscars in the desert, Red Hot XXL is your answer.
The latest project from photographer and creative director Thomas Knights is easily his most ambitious to date. Tapping into two pillars of queer erotic fascination, the mythos of the well-endowed man and the redhead: Red Hot XXL is a full-frontal celebration of desire and visibility. Think: more fire and more sensual red-headed glory to celebrate in all of its beauty.
A Calendar That’s Anything But Modest
Launching with a 2026 calendar, Red Hot XXL features a striking international cast of redheaded men, captured in images that straddle the line between art and unapologetic eroticism. The calendar’s visual language pulls from the playbooks of ’70s gay magazines but leans into modern-day quality and storytelling.
You may be asking what one of the standout series was? A model, alone in a lush, overgrown terrain, gazes into the distance, lost in thought or fantasy. In another frame, he lies across the grass, trousers pooled around his knees, surrounded by his strewn hiking gear. There’s a raw, exploratory mood that runs throughout.
And then there’s my personal favorite: a pack of ginger men inhabiting a sun-soaked, retro desert home. One is poolside, cheeks out, cleaning the pool. Another slicks his wet hair back with while seductively looking downward. One is casually naked, wiping down an Oscar statue (as one does), while the calmest of the bunch lounges in a chair, smoking a cigar with absolute nonchalance, his mini table of Oscars shining in the sun. It’s cheeky, cinematic, and wonderfully surreal.
From the Page to the Gallery Wall
The project extends beyond the calendar with a large-scale hardcover art book and a globe-trotting exhibition featuring over 100 photographs. The book extends beyond just a series of photos and move into an archive of pure beauty. The work captures alumni from earlier Red Hot editions, cult adult entertainers, and some fresh faces sure to stir attention.
Beyond the images, the book includes essays and reflections from queer creatives, academics, and adult film veterans, anchoring the erotic visuals in cultural and historical context.
Casting Call: Ginger and Gifted?
Red Hot XXL is also putting out the call for the next wave of talent. Submissions are open now at redhotxxl.com, with anonymity an option for those feeling shy but well-qualified. This is an 18+ party, and you’ll want to bring more than a pretty face.
Kickstarter: More Than a Pre-Order
True to form, Red Hot XXL is launching via Kickstarter. These campaigns have been the beating heart of the brand since its inception, funding not only production but also keeping the community around the project vibrant and involved. This campaign includes exclusive rewards and early access options, and with the buzz already building, it’s poised to be Red Hot’s biggest yet.
The Man Behind the Mythos
Thomas Knights has been behind every Red Hot project since 2013, when the original exhibition challenged how redheaded men were viewed in media. That launch exploded into a global movement, redefining ginger desirability and reclaiming the narrative around pale, freckled bodies.
Beyond Red Hot, Knights has led powerful LGBTQ+ projects like Purple Reign and PRIDE 50, spotlighting queer pioneers and everyday icons. His work continues to push visibility forward while honoring the diversity within the queer community.
A Legacy of Heat
What began as a cheeky, provocative exhibit has become a cultural touchstone within the gay community. Red Hot has toured internationally, raised more than £72,000 for LGBTQ+ charities, and created space for redhead visibility in a world that often sidelines difference.
With Red Hot XXL, the brand enters a new era: bigger, bolder, and more bulge than ever. Whether you’re in it for the art or even just cheeks, it’s one for the books (and the wall).
