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The Playmates are the most iconic images of women ever created by Playboy. Today, it’s hard to imagine a world without them. But for many years they were all but forgotten—until now. A surprising new turn of events has breathed life back into these pioneers who helped make America’s favorite magazine what it is today.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Hefner’s death and 55th anniversary since his first issue in 1953 with Marilyn Monroe on its cover, yet there was no mention from the company as this year played out that would have been fitting: not any tribute videos; or tours through some of their archives (as if anyone visiting Hollywood Boulevard couldn’t find a copy); nor even an event to celebrate the occasion.
This is one of many issues that has led some former employees and those who admire what Hefner did for America to speak out about how they feel Playboy, now owned by a company in India called Idea Group, Inc., has abandoned its rich heritage.
The Playmates are an iconic image of women at their most vulnerable: naked but not lewd; playful yet assuredly adult. Their wholesomeness was never lost on me as I grew up with them before my own body even developed into womanhood (thankfully). And today it’s hard to imagine a world without them—I don’t want our children growing up amid this culture where misogynistic ideas are normalised and we’re all too afraid to speak out against them.
The Playmates: Where Have They Gone?
Description: list of playmates, nor even an event to celebrate the occasion. This is one of many issues that has led some former employees and those who admire what Hefner did for America to speak out about how they feel Playboy, now owned by a company in India called Idea Group, Inc., has abandoned its rich heritage. The Playmates are an iconic image of women at their most vulnerable: naked but not lewd; playful yet assuredly adult. Their wholesomeness was never lost on me as I grew up with them before my own body even developed into womanhood (thankfully). And today it’s hard to imagine a world without that iconic image of the Playmates.
Who are these ladies, and what is their story? I’m not talking about celebrities or people who have been in Playboy as a model. I am talking about the women that were captured by Heffner’s lens: they are real humans with feelings and dreams just like you and me; they weren’t models but “Playmates.” These girls worked an average of three years for Playboy before being replaced with newer more plastic-looking versions (who may be prettier now). More than likely many of them never made much money from modeling–why would anyone want to give up one year’s salary to do this when it could take ten?? But even then there was always some sense that after those three years they would be done and could move on to something else.
Only a lucky few (Playmates) were able to parlay their success as Playmates into other successful careers, like the following: “Cheryl Tiegs is one of many models who made her name after appearing in Playboy.” In this case, it helped that she was already famous for being one of fashion’s most photographed faces when he decided to use her; but not everyone has been so fortunate. Many girls have walked away from modeling with nothing more than an experience which may or may not have ruined them emotionally–and if you think about it, these women are really still playthings because they’re just used up toys at Heffner’s disposal! You might find their pictures in an old Playboy and think, “Wow! I wonder what ever happened to her?”
-Michelle Eleneff
“Only a lucky few (Playmates) were able to parlay their success as Playmates into other successful careers.” In this case, it helped that she was already famous for being one of fashion’s most photographed faces when he decided to use her; but not everyone has been so fortunate. Many girls have walked away from modeling with nothing more than an experience which may or may not have ruined them emotionally–and if you think about it, these women are really still playthings because they’re just used up toys at Heffner’s disposal! You might find their pictures in an old Playboy and think, “Wow! I wonder what ever happened to her?” Heck, you can even read about some of these women’s lives after they got out of the limelight.
In this case, it helped that she was already famous for being one of fashion’s most photographed faces when he decided to use her; but not everyone has been so fortunate. Many girls have walked away from modeling with nothing more than an experience which may or may not have ruined them emotionally–and if you think about it, these women are really still playthings because they’re just used up toys at Heffner’s disposal! You might find their pictures in a old Playboy and think, “Wow! I wonder what ever happened to her?” Heck, you can even read about some of these women’s lives after they got out of the limelight.
Numerous models have been rejected by their families or abandoned on a street corner when clothing modeling was no longer an option for them–and there are many sad stories as well as happy endings in this book. There is also talk about how other girls found fame and fortune with Playboy and how famous Heffner became before it all came crashing down around him. You will find yourself cheering at one point or another while reading these pages because we all know that life has its ups and downs..sometimes literally! This book discusses both sides without bias so take a look if you want to know more about these girls who graced the pages of Playboy.
This book will also discuss what some models have been up too after their time as a Playmate ended–and we all know that life has its ups and downs..sometimes literally! This book discusses both sides without bias so take a look if you want to know more about these women who graced the pages of Playboy.
The first three paragraphs are just an intro with minimal detail, but it should give readers enough information in order to skim through this post for pertinent content. The next paragraph is where I would go into much further detail on my topic sentence: “Ever happened to her?” Heck, you can even read about some of these women’s lives after Playboy. I’m not sure if you’ve heard the latest news, but Playboy Magazine has decided to stop publishing nudes. It was a tough decision and they had many reasons for it–including their declining circulation numbers as well as what consumers want these days (which is more of a mix between softcore erotica and hardcore pornography). Some people are unhappy with this change because there’s something about seeing women in various stages of undress that titillates them. I guess some would call it an art form..but why do we have to see all those naked girls? And who wants to read the articles when half of them are just advertisements anyway? Is Pornhub next?! What happened after playboy stopped publishing nude models on its
