interview with hugh m. hefner, creator of the playboy magazine, of the playmates, the bunny logo, the american dream ................................................
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hugh m. hefner was born in chicago on april 9, 1926 the elder son of conservative protestant parents and a direct descendent of puritan patriarchs became the symbol of american sexual revolution. * see his biography and the history of the famous 'bunny' logo * ( we've published in january 2001) the founder and editor-in-chief of 'playboy', the world's largest circulation men's magazine, under the title 'entertainment for men' is guest in milan of elio fiorucci: 'happy birthday to hef' hugh celebrated his 75th birthday and a new partnership agreement: the fiorucci pin-up marries the playboy rabbit - fiorucci and playboy launch a new fashion trend and distribution in italy. --- playboy online http://www.playboy.com playboy store sells more and more playboy-branded products http://www.playboystore.com auctions of playboy-branded merchandise, memorabilia and collectibles http://auctions.playboy.com playboy.com launches international online sports wagering site http://playboysportsbook.com --- --- we met hugh m. hefner in his room at the four seasons hotel in milan the 10.05.2001 --- what is your best moment of the day? well it depends on the day. the nighttime is the right time for me. I have the best time with my girlfriends.	hugh hefner © designboom elio fiorucci, hugh hefner and birgit lohmann (editor-in-chief designboom)
what kind of music do you listen to at the moment? I grew up with jazz and music from the earlier part of the 20th century, but when I go to clubs with my girlfriends more contemporary music. what books do you have on your bedside table? most of my reading material is related to playboy. do you read design magazines? I see them, but I don’t read them. where do you get news from? I get news from many sources, I read the papers every day, time, newsweek, and tv. do you notice how women are dressing? do you have any preferences? I notice very much and I have very strong preferences. when playboy began in the 50’s, women dressed very conservatively, and I think playboy played a part in making women feel more natural with their own bodies. what kind of clothes do you avoid wearing? I am most comfortable in informal clothing... less is more for me. do you have any pets? many pets. my home has a zoo permit, we have exotic birds, many dogs and cats. do you believe in true love? oh yes, many times. when you were a child, what did you want to be? as a child I grew up in a very puritan, oppressive home and my dreams were impossible ones inspired by the movies. my life has turned out to be the result of that, and much better than I ever could have imagined. I saw the hyprocracy in the environment I was brought up in, and much of my life has been a response to that. but my dream was to be a painter. describe your style, like a good friend of yours would describe it. my style...well, I take life with joy, humor and love and friendship. I think I am probably known as somebody who shares his life. which of your projects has given you the most satisfaction? I think life is meant to be celebrated, sexuality is a part of that, that is why I played a part in changing sexual mores, and why in the 60’s the playboy philosophy changed the views and values in america, playboy was a big part of the sexual revolution. what do women think about playboy? playboy is a men’s magazine and expresses the male point of view but playboy has also profoundly influenced soceity. the major beneficiaries of the sexual revolution are women because women were held in a sort of bondage by church and state for centuries and have been defined by their sexuality. can you give us an idea of the evolution of playboy? we started 50 years ago as a printed magazine and are now expanding into other things, launching internet enterprises and especially using the brand in the fashion sector. is playboy an empire ruled by one man, or do you discuss and exchange ideas with your colleagues? oh, yes we discuss a lot. our major offices are in chicago but I am in LA. I have continual ongoing exchange with the office. where do you work on your designs and projects? the playboy mansion is my home and where I do my work. are you interested in architecture and design? I have always been fascinated by design, that’s why the magazine has won many awards. is there any designer you appreciate a lot? it depends. in clothing, armani, (shows his trousers) this is armani, but my preferences are whatever appeals to me. on the news they said that italians are afraid of unemployment, criminality and pollution. what are you afraid of regarding the future? it is my hope that we will learn to live together on this very small planet and not screw it up. I am concerned about overpopulation, pollution, and getting beyond the things that separate us: nationalism and religion.	hugh, consuelo and elio (playboy corner in the fiorucci store, milan) elio, consuelo, gloria and hugh (in hugh's hotel room, milan) hugh's slippers playboy-branded t-shirts playboy-branded underwear
the questionaire of marcel proust (1871 - 1922) ...................................................................................................................................................... (in age of fourteen proust was given an english album "confessions : an album to record thoughts, feelings". seven years later marcel proust published this questionaire) in the literary salons in nineteenth century paris, this parlour game was a popular amusement. for designboom hugh hefner has answered these 'old fashioned' questions. ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
the birthday event began in the morning and went on until the small hours. unfortunately there was not much time left, to ask him all the questions of the proust questionaire my favourite occupation. I’m dating 7 girls, and it is a wonderful, romantic relationship and at my age quite remarkable. (tina, jennifer, regina, michelle, elaine, tiffany and stephanie). my dream of felicity. I think that quite frankly I’m living out the fantasies of many other men around the world. whom I would like to be. women give me a great deal of love and friendship and I wouldn’t change places with anyone in the world. the colour I prefer. blonde. picasso went through a pink period, a blue period, I’m going through a blonde period right now. the reformation I appreciate the most. I think that viagra and the pill are the two most important inventions of the 2nd half of the 20th century.- my motto. to thine own self be true. --- ------- monthly designboom newsletter ------- ------- ? comments and contact us ? -------	hugh, coming to europe bunnies