A cultural phenomenon. A one-of-a-kind publication. The only major adult magazine for women. A sex-positive feminist milestone. Playgirl, erotic entertainment for women, is now back in business with it’s original style and focus.
“Iconic. Bold. Timeless. Established in 1973, Playgirl is the first magazine for women to focus on men,” the site reports. “From celebrities, to models, to the guy next door, Playgirl has shown it all throughout its rich history.”
At least.
A trip to Playgirl Plus.com is like a dynamic journey through the past, present and future of women’s erotic entertainment. The site’s home page features a gorgeous assortment of new PG covers, depicting a fresh assembly of handsome and interesting Men of the Month–as well as the high-definition videos and photos that bring these walking fantasies to life. Beyond this vivid entrance, the site features extensive archives of previous Playgirl issues.
“These magazines are being digitized for the first time,” explains Danny McKaren, Playgirl spokesman and an integral figure in PG’s relaunch. “This is the legacy of Playgirl.”
Beginning with the debut Playgirl issue, published June 1973, the site traces the journey of a one-of-a-kind publication geared exclusively toward the modern woman. From insightful commentaries about the current status of the Equal Rights Amendment to women’s health issues, soap hunk profiles to interviews with prominent women like Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda, centerfolds to erotic fiction, PG always has run the gamut–with sample issues featuring everything from fiction from Joyce Carol Oates and Maya Angelou to an analytical piece assessing the hotness of Richard Gere.
I myself kinda feel like a walking Playgirl archive, having read the magazine since college and having worked with PG in the mid-2000s as a fan club president (or, to use my precise title, possemeister), a marketing and DVD copywriter, and a PG columnist and erotica writer. Since Playgirl ceased publication in the late 2000s, and ownership of the website changed hands, I periodically checked back with the site and checked out the single issue released in 2020–an issue featuring a naked woman on the cover, with no Playgirl centerfolds found within its pages. A beautiful, informative publication? Sure. But it wasn’t my Playgirl.
“Playgirl celebrates its 50th anniversary next year,” said McKaren. “It’s time for a rebranding of the iconic brand, with all new content. The sky’s the limit.”
The Playgirl reboot was launched, McKaren explains, via a round table discussion that involved former PG magazine editors such as Nicole Caldwell and Michelle Zipp, and longtime PG sexpert Jamye Waxman.
“As our advisory board, they offered a lot of insight into the direction we should take,” he said.
The first phase of Playgirl’s rebirth launched earlier this year, in the form of the Playgirl Plus pay site. This is where you now can access video and pictorial centerfolds, and the full archives for Playgirl magazine—from the very first issue. Free of charge right now at the site are peeks at old Playgirl covers, some teaser video footage of current PG centerfolds, links to an active social media network and a newsletter, which you sign up for via e-mail.
A casual look at the Playgirl Twitter feed reflects the brand’s past and present and future. In a single day, you get a look at a July 1988 Playgirl magazine article regarding the Roe vs Wade decision—in light of recent events, it’s an eye-opening piece; a retro peek at a 1987 PG magazine cover featuring Kevin Bacon; and teaser photos of current Playgirl Plus centerfolds.
For paying members, Playgirl Plus offers extensive, vividly shot sexy photo shoots and video footage of top male models and scintillating written erotica.
“These are tasteful, artistically shot nudes and semi nudes,” said McKaren.
June Man of the Month Ari, a gorgeous, statuesque and artistically inked blond gentleman, not only seems like the perfect face (and, well, body) of the new Playgirl, but the ideal voice as well. Polite and well-spoken, Ari shows both a great enthusiasm for the Playgirl brand and a healthy respect for women.
“I’m very proud to be Playgirl Man of the Month,” he said. “A friend suggested that I pose. And when I looked up Playgirl and saw the beautiful photography, I knew I’d be honored to be a part of it.”
This former counselor is an experienced model who has represented everything from candy bar brands to motorcycle clothing lines. Himself an avid motorcyclist, he is also a martial arts expert and athlete. He’s also an openly sexual and sex-positive person who supports the sensual and total liberation of women.
“I’m a sex-positive person and I truly believe that Playgirl is a judgment-free zone for women,” he said. “I want to be of service to women by being a part of Playgirl–every woman is a goddess to me, and perfect as she is.”
While no immediate plans are in place to revitalize the PlaygirlTV cable channel or hardcore DVD line, or to launch publication of a new print magazine, a newly launched web version of Playgirl (to be hosted at Playgirl.Com) will offer free content that includes articles, visuals, new erotic stories and sexpert-style blogs, and other content of interest to today’s woman.
“Playgirl.Com will be a lifestyle destination for women,” said McKaren. “Like Cosmo, only less ashamed of sex. This will be an online safe space for everyone.”
This lifestyle destination website is set to debut in 2023, in celebration of Playgirl’s golden anniversary.
Beyond the online realm, McKaren says that Playgirl is set to release a number of multimedia presentations in the public sphere.
“We’re going to have a big pop-up exhibit, a limited-edition print book illustrating 50 years of centerfolds, and more,” he said.
“We want Playgirl to be female driven,” he said.
And when I shared with McKaren the thrill I used to feel back in college, when I picked up that month’s copy of Playgirl magazine, he assured me that I could get the same feeling by visiting Playgirl Plus.
“Just refresh the page.”
