Playboy has already given up its nudity ban. But is that a bad thing?

Almost a year ago, Playboy magazine decided to revamp its entire image by banning nudity from its somewhat seedy pages.

After being overtaken by the rise in online porn, the publication’s editors felt they should move with the times in order to attract more advertisers and take a more prominent position on newsstands.

Now, the magazine has completely backtracked. The March 2017 issue features topless model Elizabeth Elam on the cover with the phrase ‘Naked is normal’ splashed across the bottom.

Cooper Hefner, Playboy‘s chief creative officer, was originally opposed to the idea back in 2016. He is responsible for the return to nudity, saying: “I’ll be the first to admit that the way in which the magazine portrayed nudity was dated, but removing it entirely was a mistake.”

“Nudity was never the problem because nudity isn’t a problem. Today, we’re taking our identity back and reclaiming who we are.”

In some ways, what he is saying makes complete sense. We’re all aware of the frustrations surrounding Instagram’s sexist no nipple policy that bans female nudity but lets the bodies of men slip through.

Plenty of celebrities and creatives have lamented this draconian rule that teaches young people (particularly women) that their body is something to be ashamed of.

Yes, Playboy‘s old-style shoots were outdated, catering only to the visceral needs of men and reducing women to nothing more than their body parts. But the 25-year-old Hefner’s statement that “nudity isn’t a problem” does ring true.

And it seems as if he has truly attempted to revolutionise the Playboy brand once again. The cover is somewhat more tasteful than those of previous years and the strapline ‘Entertainment for Men’ is nowhere to be seen. Similarly, the magazine’s site has undergone a revamp, transforming into a more gender-neutral space that reads ‘Entertainment for all.’

Playboy has been known for its nudity ever since it featured Marilyn Monroe as the centrefold in 1953. If the publication is willing to broaden its audience to more than just the traditional sleazy types, then it could play a huge part in showcasing the beauty of women – both inside and out.

The latest issue appears to be doing this. Not only does it feature the usual playmates (albeit with no full-frontal nudity) but there are also insightful interviews with strong women including Scarlett Johansson. Actress Scarlett Byrne has penned a piece on the Free the Nipple campaign and the importance of owning female sexuality that sits alongside her own nude shots.

The Playboy Philosophy column will also be making a comeback. Last printed in the 1960s, it will “explore the current political and cultural climate in the US.” In the March version, Hefner details how Playboy has always challenged social norms, publicly advocating for the LGBTQ community and promoting racially diverse clubs in the sixties.

He writes how “many misinterpreted [his father’s] message” of promoting “a healthy conversation about sex while also encouraging dialogue on social, philosophical and religious opinions.”

Perhaps this is the beginning of a truly revolutionary brand; one that can appeal to a wide range of people and bring to the forefront issues such as consent and double standards within society.

Playboy may have had a controversial past but its future looks a little brighter. At least for now.

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