It's the end of a controversial era. On Monday, Playboy announced it will no longer feature photos of nude women in its print edition. The magazine, long infamous for its centerfolds of naked female models and celebrities, is switching gears in a big way. While they will still publish photos of women in "provocative" poses, the women will no longer be completely in the buff. Considering the huge change, this may make some people call to mind the most iconic Playboy centerfolds of years past.
The reason for the big revamp at the magazine is basically that Playboy was overtaken by the changes it helped pioneered, according to the New York Times. See, before Playboy first hit newsstands (remember those?) in the 1950s, nude photographs were quite taboo. "That battle has been fought and won," said Scott Flanders, the company’s chief executive. "You’re now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And so it’s just passé at this juncture."
It is undeniable that times have changed, so it makes sense that a magazine would have to adapt to those changes and change itself as well. So ahead of the re-up, take a look back and see some of the most famous faces before the big change.
1. Marilyn Monroe
The world famous actress and sex symbol was on the cover for the magazine's very first issue. She also was featured inside as its first centerfold model, even though she did not actually pose for the magazine (the pictures were obtained from an old shoot before her fame).
2. Donna Michelle
The 1960s model recreated the famous rabbit logo on the cover of her centerfold, which actually later became a postage stamp.
3. Darine Stern
18 years after the magazine first came out, Darine Stern was the first black model to appear on the cover.
4. Farrah Fawcett
The '70s star appeared on the cover in 1978 but famously denied requests for nudity — until she appeared nude for the 1995, and later, 1997 issues.
5. Madonna
When the queen of pop was first finding her fame in 1985, some old nude photos of her were released. In true Madonna fashion, she did not apologize and posed for the magazine.
6. Pamela Anderson
Anderson and Playboy were well acquainted with one another. After all, the former Baywatch star posed for the magazine for three decades. She has also been on the cover more times than any other person.
7. Sharon Stone
In 1990, the actress posed nude for the first time in Playboy . Not long after, she was cast in her iconic role in Basic Instinct, catapulting her career with a new bold and provocative image.
8. Anna Nicole Smith
Known as one of the magazine's top cover girls, Smith landed her first cover in 1992. Shortly thereafter, she was signed to model for the brand Guess, helping her launch her career.
9. Kim Kardashian
After her sex tape was leaked, the soon-to-be reality star took it all off for Playboy in 2007 as a way to own her sexuality. The photo shoot was documented on Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
The times, they are changing! It will be interesting to see if the new direction for the magazine brings more iconic — but far less nude — moments to come.
Images: Playboy
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