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Four years ago when Playgirl magazine came into my life, I wanted to bring it back to that – to its roots, but just in a contemporary way. ‘I wouldn’t necessarily call it a new version – when the publication launched in 1973, it was intelligent, beautiful, fun, provocative, and geared towards women. What would you hope to achieve with this new version of Playgirl, and why do you think the magazine is still relevant in 2021? Speaking to Lindley Kuhns at Ludlow House, he reflects on the changes in the publication’s history, the support and encouragement he’s received from readers, and the importance of representing different body types.
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Under Lindley Kuhns, Playgirl’s relaunch has seen a return to its roots – with the new issue featuring contributions from women enacting real change right now, such as Black Lives Matter cofounder Alicia Garza, teenage climate justice activist Elsa Mengistu, and Chanel Miller, the author of Know My Name.
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The publication’s original vision was to place the gazes and voices of women front and centre – something that’s clearly visible in their iconic centrefold.Īlongside the publication’s unapologetic sexually charged visuals, early iterations of the magazine boasted contributions from feminist thought leaders including Maya Angelou, Gloria Steinem, and Margaret Atwood. First launched in 1973, at the height of second-wave feminism, Playgirl magazine was a direct response to the popularity of Playboy.