On a sun-drenched Friday in May, TEMPTRESS gathered friends, lovers, collaborators, and devoted readers at Schinkel Pavillon to celebrate the launch of the new Money Issue.

The night opened with a reading of Counting My Sins in Cash by Ozziline Mercedes, before slipping into To Bond with Someone of the Opposite Sex, a performance by Arvida Byström and Ánya.

Music by TEMPTRESS art director EVRCRSH and by Hanaby, the evening moved between flirtation and frenzy, soft conversations and harder drinks.

Masha Gorsad captured the night in all its sexy, chaotic glamour—the kind of images made to intensify your FOMO. We also asked our guests to confess their thoughts on money. Scroll down and indulge.

Guests sipped custom-made cocktails by SOKÓŁ VODKA, while the Money Issue launch was supported by  Gizeh and Tourist.

"I don't have many expensive habits. I think maybe… dogs." —Arvida Byström 💋

How would you describe your relationship with money?

"Long-distance." —Bohdan

"Tolerant." —Vlad

Is there anything you want so badly you'd be willing to be a little shameless to get it?
"A European passport. I would do things for that. Dirty things."

What's your kink when it comes to spending?

"Claw machines with Labubu. If I see a machine with Labubu, I put in at least five euros—I really want to win that Labubu. Just going and buying one is not exciting enough for me. But trying to win that baby—of course." —Valentin 💋

      

How would you describe your relationship with money?

"It's a hate and love relationship. Because money can give you the power to do whatever you want—but at the same time, it's not always easy, the way you get money. When I used to be a sex worker, it was always like—is this the price I'm putting on my body, on my time with somebody? Always trying… almost going against your beliefs when somebody offers you a lot of money for something you dont  want to do. But then again — it's nice to see the numbers go up on the bank account." —Marcus 

ABOUT MONEY ISSUE

Money never shows up clean. It comes with desire, shame, hunger, contracts, fantasies, and a silence that says more than any bank statement.

The issue features an exclusive interview with Santiago Sierra, conducted by Dasha Anosova, alongside a conversation with filmmaker Erika Lust — plus essays, photo series, confessions, and experiments from 25+ contributors spanning Kyiv, Berlin, London, São Paulo, New York, Vienna, Warsaw, and beyond.

For the first time, TEMPTRESS comes in six covers—because one face could never hold all this currency. Amanda Lepore, Arvida Byström, Kazhanna, Softies by John Yonatan Jacoby and Raided by Counterfuture, Fetisch Barbie — appear on the covers.

This issue includes a special insert for the babes: scented stickers created in collaboration with JOUISSANCE perfumes and TEMPTRESS. Extending beyond the page, the insert connects olfactory experience to one of the essays in the issue, where scent becomes an entry point into memory and desire.