Hey Sweeties,
This piece follows my undergraduate research on Playboy magazine (2001-11) whereby I carried out an analytical investigation determining the visual content of Playboy magazine, with a focus on popular misconception to form the foundational base of the project. My results showed that despite Playboy magazine being carried supposedly by the (full page) images of women, particularly of the monthly Centrefold and further pictorial features that they do not contribute, even significantly, to the overall bulk of the magazine content. In a sample consisting of 30 magazines stretching across a ten year period, what actually make up the majority of Playboy magazine unsurprisingly is advertising, articles, and other male lifestyle features such as of gadgets and cars (Way, 2012). My interest and motivation for the project was lead by the impression that public perception of Playboy Magazine is driven by knowledge of imagery involving explicit female nudity.
Moving away from the magazine, this blog would like to consider Playboy from a cultural perspective, considering how Playboy exists within the everyday. 2011 was a big year for Hugh Hefner (Playboy’s editor and founder) whom saw him preparing to marry for the third time (to then 24 year old Crystal Harris) despite saying, after his failed second marriage that he would never marry again. Unfortunately, the marriage was pulled merely days before (by Harris).
Playboy Club London Mini Pilgrimage
Last month, I went on a mini post-Uni pilgrimage to the Playboy Club in London (I didn’t go in though) seeing as getting to LA wasn’t financially viable at the time. I’m not sure what I was expecting but I was pleased that the place doesn’t scream at you from the street (unless of course angry feminists are protesting outside… they weren’t on this particular day). The building is smaller against its neighbours and cubed in shape, the club is spread out across two floors, I couldn’t see inside although I could vaguely make out that the famous rabbit head was used in decoration (obviously). Anyway, my point here really is that I got to thinking about how Playboy is received in society and my thoughts and media reporting guide me to still believing that it is still a brand tainted with Hefner’s ‘dirty old man’ mediated image which if I am honest, saddens me although I am not blinded by my fascination with the brand, I do know about the dirtier side, but fortunately my head allows me to see past that.
My research on Playboy magazine allowed me to produce work that as stated exists on a foundational basis; I identified what Playboy magazine involves visually. The next step actually is to now ask questions about what it means to pose in Playboy for the women involved. I mentioned Feminists earlier; I wrote the word like those I was referring to was ‘othered’ and in a way I was, those feminists I believe are individuals with outdated knowledge and understanding. They are absolutely entitled to their opinion but I feel their opinion was formulated from Playboy’s early days and therefore are not in consideration of what it is today but more importantly how modern feminism receives it. The argument is still that Playboy magazine objectifies women… but does the argument still stand when the women who choose to pose have done just that… choose! Admittedly, a photograph can still be read as objectification depending on the pose but 21st Century feminism (aka. 3rd wave) is all about ‘Girl Power’ and women’s right to choose and so regardless of whether she looks objectified, the feminist trail of thought actually demands asking the model WHY she is in the magazine and what it means for her as a person and not just as that months Playmate.
I haven’t really got the time or blog space (well I do, I’m just thinking more about how little time people have to read long things these days) to fully go in depth with Playboy magazine and the above further discussion. Really I am just raising a topic for thought for people to consider, and obviously any academics reading this are now informed on where research stands and where it can potentially now go.
I am very interested to hear what people think of Playboy and Playboy magazine so do feel free to comment below.
Until next time x
