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Playboy Debuts
Photo 12/Universal Images Group via Getty
Hugh Hefner publishedPlayboy’s inaugural issue in December 1953, purchasing a photo of Marilyn Monroe for its cover.
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The Bunny Makes Money
Hugh Hefner with the Playboy bunnies.Archive Photos/Getty
In this 1960 image, Hefner smiles with six lookalike honorees.
“I was always a dreamer and I worked to make the dream come true,” Hefner toldPEOPLEof creating an entertainment empire.
03of 15The Playboy Club OpensGettyThe media mogul smiles with two dozen Bunnies, matching in uniform, at one of his Playboy Clubs. The original club opened in Chicago in 1960, and more than 50,000 people joined in its first year in business.Launching the venture when segregation still existed in the American South, Hefner was adamant from the start that such discrimination would never be tolerated in his clubs.“There were syndicated [Playboy] clubs in New Orleans and Miami and in both cases, there were segregation problems. We said to the guys, you have to accept the members, racial consideration is of no importance. You have to accept them if they’re members,” he toldPEOPLE.“And we literally bought back the franchises and ran them ourselves.“Musing on just how revolutionaryPlayboywas at that time, Hefner continued, “Part of the concept behind the magazine was breaking barriers. And it wasn’t just a sexual thing. It was racial and doing the things that were right. And in the process that setPlayboyapart.”
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The Playboy Club Opens
Getty
The media mogul smiles with two dozen Bunnies, matching in uniform, at one of his Playboy Clubs. The original club opened in Chicago in 1960, and more than 50,000 people joined in its first year in business.
Launching the venture when segregation still existed in the American South, Hefner was adamant from the start that such discrimination would never be tolerated in his clubs.
“There were syndicated [Playboy] clubs in New Orleans and Miami and in both cases, there were segregation problems. We said to the guys, you have to accept the members, racial consideration is of no importance. You have to accept them if they’re members,” he toldPEOPLE.“And we literally bought back the franchises and ran them ourselves.”
Musing on just how revolutionaryPlayboywas at that time, Hefner continued, “Part of the concept behind the magazine was breaking barriers. And it wasn’t just a sexual thing. It was racial and doing the things that were right. And in the process that setPlayboyapart.”
04of 15The Look of the Bunny, DefinedVictor Blackman/Daily Express/FPG/Hulton Archive/GettyThe women who worked at Playboy Clubs were young and ready to hop into action. Here, London staffers strike a pose in what quickly became the brand’s signature look: bunny ears, a high-waisted satin corset and tights, accessorized with a bow tie, cuff links, a cotton tail and heels.
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The Look of the Bunny, Defined
Victor Blackman/Daily Express/FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty
The women who worked at Playboy Clubs were young and ready to hop into action. Here, London staffers strike a pose in what quickly became the brand’s signature look: bunny ears, a high-waisted satin corset and tights, accessorized with a bow tie, cuff links, a cotton tail and heels.
05of 15Hefner Speaks on Women’s RightsVal Mazzenga/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via GettyAs the women’s rights movement made strides in the 1960s, some activists pointed fingers atPlayboyas promoting everything that was wrong with how women were represented – and saw themselves – in popular culture.Holding his ground, Hefner addressed a group of protestors who stormed into a Chicago open house for women interested in becoming Playboy bunnies in this 1969 shot. Hefner considered himself a feminist, though many have argued he was anything but in the years since his death in 2017.All of the U.S. Playboy clubs closed between the late 1970s and 1980s.
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Hefner Speaks on Women’s Rights
Val Mazzenga/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty
As the women’s rights movement made strides in the 1960s, some activists pointed fingers atPlayboyas promoting everything that was wrong with how women were represented – and saw themselves – in popular culture.
Holding his ground, Hefner addressed a group of protestors who stormed into a Chicago open house for women interested in becoming Playboy bunnies in this 1969 shot. Hefner considered himself a feminist, though many have argued he was anything but in the years since his death in 2017.
All of the U.S. Playboy clubs closed between the late 1970s and 1980s.
06of 15The Interviews EvolveGettyBeyond its stripped-down centerfolds,Playboywas known for its wide-ranging interviews. Notable names who sat for a chat includeMartin Luther King Jr., PresidentJimmy Carter(during his run for office),Princess Grace,Malcom X,Fidel CastroandMargaret Atwood, among many others, percompany history.Artists and writers like Shel Silverstein, Alex Haley, Ray Bradbury, Hunter S. Thompson and Lenny Bruce also got their start inPlayboy’s pages.
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The Interviews Evolve
Beyond its stripped-down centerfolds,Playboywas known for its wide-ranging interviews. Notable names who sat for a chat includeMartin Luther King Jr., PresidentJimmy Carter(during his run for office),Princess Grace,Malcom X,Fidel CastroandMargaret Atwood, among many others, percompany history.
Artists and writers like Shel Silverstein, Alex Haley, Ray Bradbury, Hunter S. Thompson and Lenny Bruce also got their start inPlayboy’s pages.
07of 15Male Bunnies DebutYvonne Hemsey/GettyIn a bid for greater equality between the sexes, Playboy introduced male bunnies when it opened its Empire Club in New York City in 1986, theOrlando Sentinelreported, as seen in this image with Hefner and his daughter Christie.The younger Hefner would go on to steer the company as chairman and CEO from 1988 to 2009, making her the longest-serving woman to hold such positions in a public company in the United States.
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Male Bunnies Debut
Yvonne Hemsey/Getty
In a bid for greater equality between the sexes, Playboy introduced male bunnies when it opened its Empire Club in New York City in 1986, theOrlando Sentinelreported, as seen in this image with Hefner and his daughter Christie.
The younger Hefner would go on to steer the company as chairman and CEO from 1988 to 2009, making her the longest-serving woman to hold such positions in a public company in the United States.
08of 15The Playboy Mansion RisesHugh Hefner with the Playboy bunnies.Paul Harris/GettyIn this 1986 photoat the infamous Playboy Mansionin Los Angeles, the Playgirls rocked the big hair and bold makeup that defined the decade.
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The Playboy Mansion Rises
Hugh Hefner with the Playboy bunnies.Paul Harris/Getty
In this 1986 photoat the infamous Playboy Mansionin Los Angeles, the Playgirls rocked the big hair and bold makeup that defined the decade.
09of 15
The Magazine Makes Celebrities
Ron Galella Collection via Getty (2)
Dozens ofcelebs have posed for the magazinethrough the years, including Madonna,Kim Kardashian,Garcelle Beauvaisandeven Dolly Parton.
10of 15The Girls Next Door PremieresPaul Hawthorne/GettyHefner gave fans a glimpse of his life inside the Playboy Mansion withThe Girls Next Door, which came out on E! in 2005. The reality show followed the magnate’s adventures with three of his girlfriends – Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson – and brought his brand to a new generation.The series was an instant hit, reaching more than 150 countries,Insiderreported.“It was a happy time. I thought it was good timing,” Hefner toldPEOPLEof the show’s six seasons.Much of what happened when the cameras stopped rolling, though, is the subject of the new A&E docuseriesSecrets of Playboy,which features extensivebombshell interviews from Madison, who hasn’t held back about tough times in the mansion before.“Looking back on my time at Playboy, it reminds me of a cult,“she said in one episode. “We were all kind of gaslit … it was so easy to get isolated from the outside world there.“Hefner’s son Cooper recentlyspoke out in defense of his late dad ahead of the series premiere, withthe brandreleasing an open letter that details a commitment to “positive change” underPlayboy’s new leadership.
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The Girls Next Door Premieres
Paul Hawthorne/Getty
Hefner gave fans a glimpse of his life inside the Playboy Mansion withThe Girls Next Door, which came out on E! in 2005. The reality show followed the magnate’s adventures with three of his girlfriends – Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson – and brought his brand to a new generation.
The series was an instant hit, reaching more than 150 countries,Insiderreported.
“It was a happy time. I thought it was good timing,” Hefner toldPEOPLEof the show’s six seasons.
Much of what happened when the cameras stopped rolling, though, is the subject of the new A&E docuseriesSecrets of Playboy,which features extensivebombshell interviews from Madison, who hasn’t held back about tough times in the mansion before.
“Looking back on my time at Playboy, it reminds me of a cult,“she said in one episode. “We were all kind of gaslit … it was so easy to get isolated from the outside world there.”
Hefner’s son Cooper recentlyspoke out in defense of his late dad ahead of the series premiere, withthe brandreleasing an open letter that details a commitment to “positive change” underPlayboy’s new leadership.
11of 15Playboy Covers UpHeads rolled when the news broke in fall 2015 that the iconic men’s magazine would no longer publish nude photos of women. The March 2016 issue was the first in its 63-year history without such shots.Explaining the decision,PlayboyCEO Scott Flanders told theNew York Timesthat the Internet eliminated the power the provocative pictures in its pages once held.“You’re now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And so it’s just passé at this juncture,” Flanders said at the time.
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Playboy Covers Up
Heads rolled when the news broke in fall 2015 that the iconic men’s magazine would no longer publish nude photos of women. The March 2016 issue was the first in its 63-year history without such shots.
Explaining the decision,PlayboyCEO Scott Flanders told theNew York Timesthat the Internet eliminated the power the provocative pictures in its pages once held.
“You’re now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And so it’s just passé at this juncture,” Flanders said at the time.
12of 15Nudity ReturnsPlayboyA little over a year later,Playboyannounced it was bringing nudity back.On the return to tradition, Hefner’s son Cooper (then serving as the company’s chief creative officer) admitted that the the initial decision was wrong.“I’ll be the first to admit that the way in which the magazine portrayed nudity was dated, but removing it entirely was a mistake,” he tweeted. “Nudity was never the problem because nudity isn’t a problem. Today, we’re taking our identity back and reclaiming who we are.“The apropos “Naked is Normal” issue debuted in spring 2017, in the mag’s old form.In September 2017,Hefner diedat the age of 91; though Christie and Cooper had been handling much of the company’s business in the years prior, his passing marked an end of an era for the publication and surrounding brand.
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Nudity Returns
Playboy
A little over a year later,Playboyannounced it was bringing nudity back.
On the return to tradition, Hefner’s son Cooper (then serving as the company’s chief creative officer) admitted that the the initial decision was wrong.
“I’ll be the first to admit that the way in which the magazine portrayed nudity was dated, but removing it entirely was a mistake,” he tweeted. “Nudity was never the problem because nudity isn’t a problem. Today, we’re taking our identity back and reclaiming who we are.”
The apropos “Naked is Normal” issue debuted in spring 2017, in the mag’s old form.
In September 2017,Hefner diedat the age of 91; though Christie and Cooper had been handling much of the company’s business in the years prior, his passing marked an end of an era for the publication and surrounding brand.
13of 15Ines Rau Makes HistoryAndreas Rentz/amfAR/GettyThe same year,Playboyintroduced readers to its first openly transgender Playmate. French modelRaumade history with her pictorial and centerfold, summing up the honor as one of a lifetime.“When I was doing this shoot, I was thinking of all those hard days in my childhood,” she said in the accompanying interview. “And now everything happening gives me so much joy and happiness. I thought, ‘Am I really going to be a Playmate—me?’ It’s the most beautiful compliment I’ve ever received. It’s like getting a giant bouquet of roses.”
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Ines Rau Makes History
Andreas Rentz/amfAR/Getty
The same year,Playboyintroduced readers to its first openly transgender Playmate. French modelRaumade history with her pictorial and centerfold, summing up the honor as one of a lifetime.
“When I was doing this shoot, I was thinking of all those hard days in my childhood,” she said in the accompanying interview. “And now everything happening gives me so much joy and happiness. I thought, ‘Am I really going to be a Playmate—me?’ It’s the most beautiful compliment I’ve ever received. It’s like getting a giant bouquet of roses.”
14of 15Hayley Hasselhoff Does, TooPlayboyWhen she gracedPlayboyGermany in April 2021, Hasselhoff said she was thrilled to be the first “curve” model to cover a European edition of the magazine.“I am overcome with emotion around what this cover signifies for inclusivity and its greater purpose towards female empowerment,” she posted onInstagram. “I wanted to use this platform to express that you have the power to love your body without hesitation because of societies' standards of beauty.”
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Hayley Hasselhoff Does, Too
When she gracedPlayboyGermany in April 2021, Hasselhoff said she was thrilled to be the first “curve” model to cover a European edition of the magazine.
“I am overcome with emotion around what this cover signifies for inclusivity and its greater purpose towards female empowerment,” she posted onInstagram. “I wanted to use this platform to express that you have the power to love your body without hesitation because of societies' standards of beauty.”
15of 15The Brand ContinuesBrian ZiffIn October 2021the brand marked another milestone, making influencer Bretman Rock the first openly gay man to don the complete bunny suit for a cover.With the Hefner family out of the picture, The PLBY Group is now made up of 80 percent female employees who run the all-digital magazine (print ended in the U.S. in 2020) and the company’s various entities.“Today’sPlayboyis not Hugh Hefner’sPlayboy,” staff wrote in an open letter ahead ofSecrets of Playboy’s premiere.“Together we are building upon the aspects of our legacy that have made a positive impact, including serving as a platform for free expression and a convener of safe conversations on sex, inclusion and freedom,” the letter added. “We will continue to confront any parts of our legacy that do not reflect our values today, and to build upon the progress we have made as we evolve as a company so we can drive positive change for you and our communities.“In December 2021, rapper Cardi B was namedPlayboy’s first-ever creative director in residence.According to a press release, “Cardi will provide artistic direction across co-branded fashion and sexual wellness merchandise collections, digital editorial, experiential activations and more,” in the partnership.“In addition,Cardi Bwill serve as the Founding Creative Director and a founding member of Playboy’s upcoming creator-led platform, CENTERFOLD,” the release added.
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The Brand Continues
Brian Ziff
In October 2021the brand marked another milestone, making influencer Bretman Rock the first openly gay man to don the complete bunny suit for a cover.
With the Hefner family out of the picture, The PLBY Group is now made up of 80 percent female employees who run the all-digital magazine (print ended in the U.S. in 2020) and the company’s various entities.
“Today’sPlayboyis not Hugh Hefner’sPlayboy,” staff wrote in an open letter ahead ofSecrets of Playboy’s premiere.
“Together we are building upon the aspects of our legacy that have made a positive impact, including serving as a platform for free expression and a convener of safe conversations on sex, inclusion and freedom,” the letter added. “We will continue to confront any parts of our legacy that do not reflect our values today, and to build upon the progress we have made as we evolve as a company so we can drive positive change for you and our communities.”
In December 2021, rapper Cardi B was namedPlayboy’s first-ever creative director in residence.
According to a press release, “Cardi will provide artistic direction across co-branded fashion and sexual wellness merchandise collections, digital editorial, experiential activations and more,” in the partnership.
“In addition,Cardi Bwill serve as the Founding Creative Director and a founding member of Playboy’s upcoming creator-led platform, CENTERFOLD,” the release added.
source: people.com
